Family delighted that brave Dylan will never be forgotten

THE family of a young man with a rare genetic condition who passed away in 2019 said a memorial match that’s being held in his honour on New Year’s Day “is a testament to the person he was”.

Dylan O’Neill passed away aged 21 in October 2019, after undergoing pioneering treatment in the Manchester Royal Infirmary for a rare genetic condition called adult metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD).

MLD typically has a slow progression and can present as progressive dementia, and Dylan passed away after undergoing a bone marrow transplant in a bid to slow the progression of the disease.

Dylan, who was from Ellensborough and was a past pupil of Coláiste de hÍde, was an avid sports fan and played for Thomas Davis GAA Club – and left a lasting impact on the club.

The club now holds an annual mixed hurling and football match in his memory every New Year’s Day, which this year will see a team of over 30s competing against an under 30s team.

Dylan’s father, Noel, told The Echo: “The memorial match is fantastic, and it’s a testament to the person that Dylan was that they do this.

“Thomas Davis have been really good to us as a family, and Dylan’s sister Natasha and my wife Sandra still play for the club.

“It’s a fantastic thing to have him remembered. It’s a mixed hurling and football match, and Dylan played both, but hurling was what he really liked.

“It’s great for his legacy to live on, and we’re delighted that he’ll never be forgotten.”

The members of Thomas Davis came up with the idea for the match as the popular young man had a lasting impact on his friends both in and outside of the club.

Ciara McGuigan from Thomas Davis, who was also a friend of Dylan’s, told The Echo: “A lot of Dylan’s friends still play for the club so we thought the match would be a good idea.

“Hurling would’ve been Dylan’s favourite sport…and New Year’s Day is tough for a lot of people who’ve lost loved ones.”

Thomas Davis previously fundraised for the O’Neills, including Dylan’s 27-year-old sister Serena who also has MLD, however her condition has stabilised at present.

The club has offered continuous support to the O’Neills since Serena and Dylan were diagnosed with MLD.

When asked what Dylan would think about a memorial match being held for him, Noel said: “Dylan would love the attention, he was very popular.

“He would love the fact that there was something being held in his memory – he’d be delighted looking down on it and laughing.”

The New Year’s Day GAA Under 30s v Over 30s mixed hurling and football match in memory of Dylan O’Neill will take place in Thomas Davis at 2pm, followed by live music at 5pm.