Limerick fundraising event that's 'More Than A Replay' raises money for charity

A FAMILY fun day in Newcastle West will bring players, clubs and families together to remember those no longer with us, promote cardiac screening and CPR awareness, and support life-saving services in the community.

On Sunday, October 11, Newcastle West GAA Grounds will welcome back the players of the 2016 Junior Camogie County Final for a very special anniversary encounter, More Than a Replay.

Ten years after Newcastle West and Tournafulla met in a county final that none of those involved will ever forget, many of the same players will take to the field again.

A spokesperson for the event said: “More Than a Replay has been created as a celebration of friendship, family and community, while remembering those who are no longer here and raising awareness of the importance of cardiac screening, CPR and early intervention.”

Funds raised on the day will support the Dillon Quirke Foundation and Templeglantine Community First Responders.

The main anniversary replay will throw in at 4pm, but a full programme of underage sport, remembrance, entertainment and family activities will take place throughout the day.

Admission is free, with no entry fee for the underage competitions.

The original Newcastle West versus Tournafulla Junior County Final was played in Coolyroe on October 11, 2016.

Michelle Herbert was playing for Newcastle West. Marking her that day was Tournafulla player Sarah Jane Curtin, a nurse.

During the game, Michelle suffered a massive cardiac event. She had no pulse for approximately 26 minutes.

Sarah Jane immediately recognised the seriousness of the situation and began CPR. Shelly Quinn, also a nurse, helped manage Michelle's airway, while several others rotated through chest compressions and another person retrieved the AED.

Michelle survived.

“I was in the right place at the right time. If Sarah Jane hadn't been there, I don't believe I'd be sitting here now,” Michelle said.

“People came from the stands, fetched the defibrillator and helped, but what made the crucial difference was that CPR began immediately. I had no pulse for about 26 minutes.”

For Sarah Jane, her training took over: “It was surreal, but my training kicked in. I had completed advanced cardiac life-support training, although I'd never faced anything like this outside a hospital. I recognised that something was seriously wrong and started compressions immediately.

“Early recognition and effective chest compressions are vital. Compressions are exhausting, so people have to rotate and somebody needs to oversee their quality. If they're not deep or consistent enough, another person should take over.”

“It was a team effort,” Sarah Jane recalled. “We followed the AED prompts and kept going.”

Michelle remembers very little of what happened immediately afterwards: “When I came around, I was confused about where I was and who was beside me. What matters is that the group kept going and did what needed to be done.”

One memory, however, has stayed with her, she explained: “My mam's voice kept telling me that I had to wake up for Conor. Hearing his name gave me something to fight for. I knew I had to fight.”

Looking back ten years later, Michelle is acutely aware of how many things had to fall into place that afternoon.

“Sarah Jane's training, the immediate CPR, everyone who helped, the defibrillator being available and the determination to keep going – so many things had to come together. Whether people call that providence, fate or luck, I am deeply grateful.”

Sarah Jane believes the experience demonstrates why CPR training matters for everyone, not only healthcare professionals: “You never know how you will react until that moment comes, but training gives you something to fall back on. Early action can save a life.”

There is another person who will be very much in the players' thoughts when they line out again.

Niamh Herlihy, a Newcastle West camogie player, passed away suddenly in 2011.

For Michelle and her former teammates, her absence will be deeply felt: “Niamh should be playing with us.”

The story of the day stretches back long before the 2016 final.

For many of the Newcastle West players, their camogie journey began as teenagers. One particularly important figure was coach Marian O'Sullivan, who, together with Mike Nash, guided Newcastle West's U14 team to a county B title against Killeedy.

Two years later, the team captured the U16 A title in a rain-soaked December final, with Pamela Fitzgerald scoring the decisive goal in an incredibly low-scoring encounter.

For many of those players, Marian's influence went far beyond trophies. They credit her with helping to foster a love of camogie that kept them involved in the game for years afterwards.

Marian passed away in 2014 and will be remembered during More Than a Replay when the club's Féile team takes to the field in her memory.

A long-puck competition will allow even more young players and clubs to become part of the day.

The boys' competition, with categories at U10, U12 and U14 level, will be held in memory of Darra O'Donovan of Monagea, who lost his life to Sudden Adult Death at just 15 years of age.

The girls' competition will remember Eileen Carmody, who gave so much of her time to camogie and was closely involved with Monagea football and Newcastle West Camogie before her death in 2011.

Before the main replay, Eva Downey will sing Amhrán na bhFiann, while the younger players will form a guard of honour for the returning 2016 teams.

Away from the matches, the astro area will become a hub of family and sporting activities.

AG Sports, Munster Camogie and Galway-based Hurley Hut will have stalls, with Hurley Hut bringing its speed cage, giving visitors the chance to find out just how fast they can strike a sliotar.

There will also be face painting and a dunk tank, with local volunteers – including Newcastle West traffic warden Joe Mulcahy and Tournafulla’s Seamie O Mahony– bravely agreeing to take their turn over the water.

The Poppy Cup will operate a coffee stall, while Jonathan Carey's S&C Catering will also be on site.

CPR training will take place in the clubhouse at 12 noon and 2pm, while blood-pressure checks are also expected to be available during the day. Templeglantine Community First Responders will have an information presence at the event.

The message organisers want people to take home is straightforward: take the opportunity to be cardiac screened, learn CPR and never underestimate the importance of acting quickly in a cardiac emergency.

“It's not all about the money,” Michelle, who is organising the fundraiser, explained. “It's about raising awareness and making sure people take the opportunity when cardiac screening is offered to them, and that people keep their CPR training up to date.”

Fundraising will take several forms. Players participating in the replay are aiming to raise €50 each in personal sponsorship, with sponsors acknowledged in the event booklet. Commemorative jerseys have also been produced and are available to supporters.

Local businesses and supporters can advertise in the programme through full-page, half-page and quarter-page advertisements. The booklet will include player profiles, photographs and information on the underage teams, along with a well-wishes section where former players, friends and supporters – including those now living away – can leave a message.

A raffle will also be launched in the week leading up to the event, while an iDonate page has been established for those who wish to contribute.

The spokesperson added that the day “will be a chance to remember Niamh, Marian, Darra, Eileen and others who remain an important part of their clubs and communities”.