Mam’s ‘unyielding love and support’ amazes, ‘now I want to do something for her’

A group of five friends have embarked on an ambitious challenge to kick points in all 32 counties of Ireland, visiting a different club pitch in each county.

The group of young men, including four members from the St Barry’s GAA club, Eoghan Diffley, Emmet Burke, Ciaran McManus, and Conor Murphy, along with Brian Kelly from the Newtown Cashel club in Longford, have decided to take on a challenge to support Conor's mother, Nicola. Nicola has recently received a diagnosis of motor neurone disease, and the five young men are determined to raise funds for her cause.

Motor neurone disease is a progressive neurological condition that attacks the nerves in the brain and spinal cord which means messages gradually stop reaching the muscles which leads to weakness and wasting. MND can affect how you walk, talk, eat, and breathe.

While MND can present in various ways, 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.

“From my own perspective motor neurone is a horrible disease but it’s only a disease you realise the implications of when it’s on your own doorstep,” said Conor. “Mam is the positive one in our house and that’s what keeps us all going from day to day, her unyielding love and support for her family amazes me every day and now I want to do something for her.

“The lads and I want to do our bit to give back to mam and I can’t thank them enough for their support during this time.” The team of five got together in the middle of January to organise the fundraiser as their way of helping out and to raise awareness of motor neurone disease. The fundraiser will take place on the weekend of Friday, May 10th to Sunday, May 12th over 32 hours of daylight. A Go Fund Me page has been set up and a percentage of all funds raised will go to a charity of Nicola’s choice. A launch night will be held in the Shannon Bar Tarmonbarry on Saturday, March 30th at 8 p.m..

“We have successfully gathered one club from each of the counties including our own clubs St Barry’s GAA and Newtown Cashel GAA," the group said. "The overwhelming support we have received from clubs nationwide, as well as from local businesses and individuals, has been truly remarkable over the past few months.” Special thanks to fellow club people Noel Rogers, Club Chairperson Chris Burke together with County Chairperson of Roscommon GAA Brian Carroll for their support during the organisation of the fundraiser.

They would also like to thank Stephen Coy and their main sponsors for the fundraiser, CICO.

To donate, please visit the '32,32,32 Challenge' GoFundMe page.