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13 Nov 2025
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13 Nov 2025
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A LIMERICK man has raised over €160,000 - and counting - for a charity very close to his heart from a mammoth 250km walk from Cork to Mayo.
Niall Rochford, originally from Lynwood Park in the city, created the Cork2Cong Challenge in memory of his late wife, Stella. She tragically passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2022, just eight weeks following her shock diagnosis.
The event in support of Pancreatic Cancer Ireland, which Niall co-founded, concluded at the weekend.
It commenced on October 28 from Honan Chapel in University College Cork, where Cork native Stella studied. Niall followed a path that mirrors the journey of Stella’s life - from Cork city he went through Limerick and Clare, where he and Stella met and welcomed their first child.
He continued on to Galway, where their family grew, before arriving on Saturday in Cong, Co Mayo, where they called home and Stella was laid to rest.
Niall had the company of Limerick hurling manager John Kiely, his predecessor TJ Ryan and County Board secretary Mike O’Riordan and more on the stretch from Charleville to Kilmallock.
John got to know the Rochfords during his time in The Abbey School in Tipperary Town where Niall and his brothers were educated. John also knew their late father who passed on his passion for Limerick GAA to his sons.
Niall asked John if he would do a video to help promote the fundraiser but the Galbally man said it was “such a great undertaking on his part that we needed to support it”.
“We had a lovely walk from Charleville to Kilmallock in fabulous weather. We had coffee with them in Kilmallock and they struck off for Bruff,” said John.
The five-time All-Ireland winning manager said Niall has raised a lot of awareness of pancreatic cancer and the symptoms, on top of the fantastic sum of money.
“It is a silent killer - there are 600 people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in Ireland every year and unfortunately the survival rate is very low. We were very happy to support Niall and hopefully we will be able to support him in the future,” said John.
Niall got a big welcome during his walk through Limerick, including from another well-known Limerick GAA personality and businesswoman, Aideen Fitzpatrick, at Elm Court Service Station in Ballyneety.
You can donate online at idonate.ie/event/Cork2Cong
For more pictures, click 'Next'
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