Public urged to get behind ‘Dom’s Wish’ special fundraiser

The GAA and wider community are being urged to support the family of a former Shannon Gaels GAA club member.

Dominic Keenehan late of Cashel, Carrick-on-Shannon, County Roscommon sadly passed away on July 18th, 2023 at the age of 38 after a brave battle with a rare form of cancer.

At the time of his passing, Dominic left behind his pregnant wife Orla McDermott and their 14 month old son Lachlan. Orla gave birth to their daughter Eden after the passing of her husband.

On Sunday, May 5th a number of events will be held in his home parish of Croghan in support of his young family.

Following his diagnosis with bile duct cancer, St Farnan’s GAA Club in his adopted home of Aughris, Templeboy, Sligo suggested a fundraiser to support him.

However, his wish was that a fundraiser would be held for his family after his passing to help towards the renovations of their home.

Dominic and Orla were together 18 years. They met in 2005 and were married in 2018. In 2021, the couple moved from Westport back to Orla’s home place in Aughris, County Sligo.

They became a family when their son Lachlan arrived in May 2022. Dominic and Orla were granted planning permission to renovate their house and work was scheduled to begin in April 2023.

During their first Christmas as a family, he noticed a dull pain in his side and was referred for tests. In January 2023 the doctors believed that Dom’s pain was caused by gallstones.

At this time he and Orla were delighted to find out they were expecting their second child. Unfortunately, his pain worsened, and further tests suggested that he had an autoimmune disease called PSC. He was told that he would need a liver transplant in 15 years but no treatment was required at the time.

Unfortunately, his health deteriorated rapidly and in March he was referred to St Vincent’s Hospital in Dublin and placed on the top of the transplant list. He waited for three months but no suitable liver became available.

In June after further tests were carried out it was discovered that he had bile duct cancer, a very rare and aggressive cancer. He was told the cancer was terminal and was given three months to live.

On July 18th 2023, only one month after receiving the devastating news, Dominic passed away surrounded by his loving family. His baby daughter Eden Dominique Keenehan was born on October 6th.

His former club, Shannon Gaels, has called for the community to support the family in an upcoming fundraiser on Sunday, May 5th.

“Last year we sadly lost our club member Dominic Keenehan. Dominic played at all levels with Shannon Gaels before eventually settling in Dromore West, County Sligo.

“Dominic’s local GAA club, St Farnan’s, Sligo, has kindly organised a number of fundraising events this summer to help Dominic’s wife Orla, and his children Lachlan and Eden to raise funds to help with renovation costs of their home.

“On Sunday, May 5th, St. Farnan’s men’s and ladies’ teams will travel to Croghan where games will take place, followed by food and refreshments in the old creamery, Croghan. A GoFundMe page, “Dom’s Wish” has been set up to coincide with these events; 10% of all donations will go towards North West Hospice. We would ask our community to support this great cause in the coming weeks.” For anybody wishing to donate, please visit the GoFundMe page entitled ‘Dom’s Wish.’