‘32,32,32’ Challenge gets underway
Ciarán McManus, Brian Kelly, Emmet Burke, Eoghan Diffley, and Conor Murphy have commenced their 32, 32, 32 Challenge this morning.
A fundraising campaign to kick a point in every county in Ireland in aid of a Roscommon woman battling serious illness is underway.
The ‘32,32,32’ Challenge was set up by five local young men, aged between 22 and 23, and will see them kick a point at a club pitch in every county, in the 32 hours of daylight this weekend.
The five lads, four of whom are from the St. Barry’s GAA Club in Tarmonbarry, are Ciarán McManus, Emmet Burke, Eoghan Diffley and Conor Murphy. One member, Brian Kelly, is from Newtowncashel in Longford.
The lads are carrying out the challenge in order to help Conor’s mother Nicola who has recently been diagnosed with motor neurone disease, to raise funds for a wheelchair car and home adaptation.
Nicola, who is only 44, was diagnosed with MND in October 2023 just four years after she fought cancer, having successfully undergone chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery with unyielding positivity throughout.
Nicola is currently experiencing weakness in both her arms and legs to the extent that she has no function in some of her limbs and evolving weakness in the remaining areas.
The lads have undertaken this challenge to raise funds for her cause as a way to support Nicola.
“We have worked tirelessly to make sure the event can reach its maximum potential and to raise as much funds as possible. The 30 clubs who came on board along with our own two clubs have been extremely helpful and we owe them huge thanks, without them this would not be possible,” the group said.
“We want to thank all who have supported us over the past couple of months and we have been humbled by the immense support we have received on social media and our Go Fund Me page.”
The journey began this morning (Friday) at Boornacoola GAA Club, County Leitrim. The lads will make their way up north, finishing in Kingscourt Stars GAA, County Cavan.
“Saturday, we begin in Glyde Rangers GAA Club, County Louth and we cover the majority of Leinster before finishing off at the home of the 2 Johnnies, Cahir GAA, County Tipperary.
"On our last day we begin in Rockchapel GAA, County Cork before making our way up the west of the country to our final two clubs, Brian’s club - Newtowncashel GAA, County Longford, and our own club – St Barry’s GAA, County Roscommon,” they said.
“On our arrival back to St. Barry’s GAA, we are having a homecoming event where we will have our ladies and men’s team play a short match before we arrive, we hope to see ye all out there on Sunday, May 12th where things will kick off at 4 p.m. with refreshments and music by DJ David Nugent.”
