News

Fermanagh hurler Shane Mulholland's memory lives on in charity foundation

The memory of the former Fermanagh senior hurler Shane Mulholland lives on through a foundation created in his honour
The memory of the former Fermanagh senior hurler Shane Mulholland lives on through a foundation created in his honour The memory of the former Fermanagh senior hurler Shane Mulholland lives on through a foundation created in his honour

A YEAR after the tragic death of Fermanagh senior hurler Shane Mulholland in a car crash, his wife has told how his memory lives on through a charity foundation set up in his name.

The 27-year-old sportsman was killed on April 24 last year just a few miles from his home in Derrylin, Co Fermanagh.

Shane was an under-age hurling coach at St Patrick's Lisbellaw GAA club and had just started his dream job as a hurling development coach for Cavan GAA before his untimely death.

A father-of-one, who had become a dad to a little girl just weeks before the crash, he had also been due to celebrate his first wedding anniversary with wife Vanessa on April 26.

Six months after the crash the Shane Mulholland Foundation was set up with a view to keeping the hurler's memory alive.

Driven by Shane's determination, his zest for life and his love for the game, his family decided to set up the foundation, in a bid to continue the work Shane had started in promoting Gaelic games.

Speaking last night Shane's wife Vanessa she was proud of what the foundation had managed to achieve since being set up in October.

"The mission statement for the foundation includes the words 'promote, participate, support and encourage' and that is primarily what the foundation is all about - specifically the promotion of Gaelic games - hurling especially - at under-age level throughout the local communities."

Mrs Mulholland said the work of the foundation was to ensure that her husband's hurling knowledge and expertise would be passed on to youngsters in Fermanagh and beyond.

"Shane was due to start hurling training with the U10's in his local club Derrylin the day after he sadly passed away. It was something he was very passionate about and keen to get up and running.

"Unfortunately, there has been no one to stand-in in his place, or anyone with his coaching expertise, hurling knowledge and willingness to give up their time voluntarily to do this, so the coaching never began. It is this we hope, with the help of the foundation, to change."

Since it was set up a number of events have taken place in Fermanagh - including a successful 5k and 10k run in February - in Derrylin, where hundreds turned out to pay tribute to Shane.

On Saturday May 21 Mrs Mulholland and 74 others will complete one of Ireland's toughest physical and mental endurance challenges - 'Hell and Back' in Baronscourt estate, Newtownstewart, Co Tyrone, to raise money for the foundation.

"The foundation is a great way to honour Shane's memory. He had so much yet to give, and if the foundation can in a small way carry on some of the good work Shane was doing, it will be worthwhile.

"I know he would have approved and he would be proud that so many people have and still are showing their support and respect for him through the foundation," she added.

To donate to the 'Hell and Back' challenge you can visit Mrs Mulholland's Justgiving page - crowdfunding.justgiving.com/vanessa-mulholland-1

To find out more you can visit Shane Mulholland Foundation on Facebook or on Twitter @SM2_Foundation.