Paul McGhee memorial match and hike raises €10k for Harold’s Cross Hospice

A FOOTBALL match and a hike in memory of the late Paul McGhee, who died last year due to complications accrued from a stem cell transplant, and following a battle with cancer, has raised over €10k for Harold’s Cross Hospice.

Friends of Paul McGhee banded together to celebrate his life and raise funds in his memory, through a football match at his beloved Firhouse Carmel FC and a four-day hike across Wicklow Way.

Crowds filled the pitches at Carrigwood in Ballycullen for the match last Saturday, with the blue Firhouse Carmel ‘98 team and the yellow ’97 team going toe-to-toe.

Paul made a lasting impression on so many during his time playing for Firhouse Carmel, who he first kicked a ball for at under sevens level, and coaching the younger generations.

The famous number 11 jersey was displayed on the day, as Tony Byrne, who refereed Paul’s first ever match when he was at under sevens, marshalled proceedings.

When Paul was in Harold’s Cross Hospice, in 2022, he was presented with a Firhouse Carmel jersey that was signed by the team he had coached at Under 10s.

A lot of the players had moved to other clubs and were playing Under 15s football at that stage, but came back together to sign the jersey for Paul – such was the impression he left on them.

Paul died on July 12, 2022, and his memory lives on through his friends and family, who celebrated the 24-year-old last weekend.

“Firhouse Carmel FC have decided to run this charity event annually,” Denise McGhee, Paul’s mother, tells The Echo.

“A big thank you to Firhouse Carmel FC, Eoghan Keane, videographer, the two lady photographers and Tony Doyle (who all gave their services at no cost).

“Also, thanks to both teams, managers, supporters and not forgetting the children who shook the collection buckets!

“A special thanks goes to Newbridge Town FC who at very short notice, delivered a VEO recording system on the morning of the match.

“So now friends, family and especially Paul’s girlfriend, Joanna in Canada, can see what a fabulous, emotional day was celebrated for Paul.

“He brought so many people together once again and will do each year.”

Meanwhile, while the match was on, two friends and schoolmates of Paul, Donnacha Lynch and Vimal Jain completed a four-day 130km hike through Wicklow Way.

“The organisers of these events were Paul’s close friends, Glenn, Rónán, Philip and Jack, to name a few and we, the McGhee family cannot thank them enough,” Denise said.

At the time of going to print on Wednesday afternoon, a total of €10,286 had been raised for the Paul McGhee Memorial Charity Event through GoFundMe.

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