Mother saves son’s life now he  is promoting suicide awareness

Mother saves son’s life now he is promoting suicide awareness

By Maurice Garvey

LOSING a father and a best friend he considered his sister to suicide was devastating for Correy Davidson, and it nearly led him down the very same tragic path.

Thankfully, Correy was saved by a timely intervention from his mother Rachel Davidson at home in Clondalkin when he was just 18.

Arthur Griffith Charity Match 18 compressor

Correy Davidson gathers possession during the charity match

Correy (27), a professional footballer, who played for Kidderminster Harriers in England last season, started a charity match fundraiser for Pieta House last year, which was held again over the weekend at Arthur Griffith Park in Lucan.

“My reason behind putting this charity game together, is myself, my family and my friends have gone through some hard times with suicide,” said Correy.

“I lost my dad Paschal Joyce (2009) and Emma Curtis (2017) was my best friend growing up until the day she passed who I called sister,” he said.

Correy’s father passed when he was just 16. At the worst possible time, a serious cruciate ligament then prevented him playing football for Leixlip United for two years.

“I didn’t get back playing until I was 18, but I was still in a bad place and going through a bad patch,” recalled Correy.

Arthur Griffith Charity Match 09 compressor

Some of the players that participated in the match in Arthur Griffith Park.

“I’ll be straight to the point and come out and say, I did try to take my own life. It was very foolish on my part. My mam arrived home and took me down.

“From that day forward, I’ve been around Pieta House quite a bit. They did help me along with football. I got back on track and to this day I’m a lot better for it. I never told anyone else about this until now, but if it can help somebody else.”

Correy progressed his football career by playing for clubs like Dorgheda United, Bohemians, before securing a move to Kidderminster, and is currently in talks with a few clubs in England.

Speaking to Correy, he is a soft spoken and thoughtful person, who understands other people in the community may be going through similar mental health issues.

“The same things happen everyday, it is hard for some people,” he said.

Arthur Griffith Charity Match 02 compressor

Lisa, Shopie, Shannon, Hollie and Audrey

“I am fine now and can give people advice. Football has always been my main focus and I can put my energy into that.”

Correy grew up in Deansrath but all his family are based in Lucan. Back home at the moment from the UK, he moves between his mother and grandfather’s houses in Clondalkin and Lucan.

He hopes to make the charity football game a yearly event, to keep alive the memory of his father and Emma, whom “everyone loved”.

“Last year we raised €4,500 and this year so far we’ve raised €3,300 and counting,” he said.

“On a lighter note there was a lot of work done behind scenes with Alan Kearney and Jonathan Spollen of Arthur Griffith Park FC helping me sort the pitch, bibs, refs, etc. My Aunty Audrey Davidson spent hours baking cakes and cookies, my cousin Sophie Davidson and her friend Shannon, Kevin Fox and Lynsey Manning held a bingo night in Arthur Griffith afterwards, all proceeds going to Pieta house. Again, just a huge thank you to everyone who helped out.”

By subscribing to The Echo you are supporting your local newspaper Click Here: Echo Online.

TAGS
Share This