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Former Down footballer scales mountains for charity

Francie Rooney (left) with John Joe Fallon during their last charity hike in 2013, when they cycled 85 miles in 24 hours
Francie Rooney (left) with John Joe Fallon during their last charity hike in 2013, when they cycled 85 miles in 24 hours Francie Rooney (left) with John Joe Fallon during their last charity hike in 2013, when they cycled 85 miles in 24 hours

A FORMER All-Ireland minor football champion is calling for support from the sidelines from his native Co Down and beyond, as he prepares to takes on another challenge to help those suffering from a rare eye condition.

Francie Rooney, who played in the Down minor side which captured the All-Ireland championship of 1977 and in the U-21 side which won an All-Ireland two years later, is embaring on an All Ireland challenge of a different kind to climb the country's highest mountains – one in each province.

Along with his nephew John Joe Fallon Francie plans to set off from Slieve Donard on Tuesday June 23 with the pair aiming to arrive back in Newry after six days.

In Connact they will scale Mweelrea while in Munster they plan to climb Carrauntoohil - Ireland's highest peak - in Kerry.

In Leinster they plan to scale Log na Coille and when not navigating the mountains, the duo will cycle between destinations.

Francie said his six year-old grandson Caolan Nation, who suffers from a rare eye condition called Reis-Bücklers corneal dystrophy, has been the inspiration for the trip.

The condition causes degeneration of the cornea, and the hike and climb challenge will raise money for Fight for Sight, a charity which funds research into treatments for eye conditions.

Mr Rooney said: "Caolan’s eye condition can give him swelling and redness for 5-6 days in a row."

The Newry man added: "My daughter Elaine, Caolan’s mum, got involved with the charity. She started to raise funds for them. She set a target of £5,000 and we helped her achieve that. She now wants to get to £10,000."

It is not the first big adventure in aid of the charity the pair have embarked upon, as in 2013 Mr Rooney and Mr Fallon cycled 85 miles in just 24 hours to raise funds.

With several fundraising events held since Christmas, around £1,800 has been raised so far, and Thursday night sees the official launch night for the challenge, to be held in Excel Partners in Newry from 7.30pm to 9pm.

Anyone who wishes to make a donation can do so through www.justgiving.com/Elaine-Rooney.