GAA club remembers Ciarán 10 years on after his sudden death
A RECENT celebration was held to mark the ten year anniversary of Ciarán Carr – a former Round Towers GAA footballer whose sudden death sparked a movement that is saving lives across the country.
On January 20, 2012, Ciarán, just two weeks shy of his 21st birthday, collapsed while training with Round Tower senior football team.
Despite the best efforts of his teammates, coaches and the emergency services, Ciarán died in Tallaght Hospital shortly after arrival.
It was a major shock as he was a healthy and fit young man, but the unexpected tragedy – attributed to Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS) – brought the condition to the forefront in the local community.
He had already booked his 21st birthday party but family and friends ensured the night went ahead – raising €24,000 for the CRY Foundation in Tallaght Hospital.
Ciarán’s parents Philip and Gemma subsequently established the charity Ciarán Carr Foundation, which is aligned with the Clondalkin GAA club.
It helps to prevent sudden cardiac death tragedies occurring at sporting clubs and organisations.
To mark the 10-year anniversary, a former teammate of Ciarán’s – Conor McGrath – performed a song in his memory at Tower’s clubhouse.
Over Christmas, another former teammate of Ciarán – Colm Gavin – organised the annual busk in Clondalkin Village, which featured loads of local residents and raised over € 1,370 for the foundation.
On the date of the anniversary, Round Tower posted a tribute, saying they “lost a great footballer and an even better friend”.
“Ciarán Carr epitomised what it was to be a Towers man on and off the pitch. His kind, easy going personality lit up the dressing room every time he put on the green and white jersey. His legacy lives on in Clondalkin and all over the country through the amazing work of the Ciarán Carr Foundation.”
Speaking to The Echo, Philip Carr said the foundation has helped to increase cardiac awareness, and “provide defibrillators and training to as many clubs and organisations as we can.”
The foundation has also supported numerous other charitable causes, including Clondalkin Helping Homeless and Emily Duffy, a child suffering from a life-threatening form of cancer.
Last summer, the foundation made defibrillator presentations to the likes of Glencar Manorhanilton GAA Club in Leitrim, AGP Soccer Club in Lucan, and Killester/ Donneycarney Soccer Club.
Any club or organisation wishing to obtain a defibrillator or train members in lifesaving skills are encouraged to get in touch via email ciarancarrfoundation@ gmail.com
