Northern Ireland

Friends of late firefighter and GAA coach raise £5,500 for suicide charity

Several clubs took part in a football blitz in February for Darren O’Neill (41) who died suddenly last March

From L-R Colin Connolly (Friend of Darren) , Susan Conlan (Suicide Awareness) , Stephanie Connolly (Friend of Darren) and Sorcha Campbell (Friend of Darren) make a donation of £5,500 to Suicide awareness
From L-R Colin Connolly (Friend of Darren) , Susan Conlan (Suicide Awareness) , Stephanie Connolly (Friend of Darren) and Sorcha Campbell (Friend of Darren) make a donation of £5,500 to Suicide awareness
By Allan Preston

Friends of a popular firefighter and GAA coach who died suddenly last year have raised £5,500 in his memory for a suicide awareness charity.

Darren O’Neill, known to his friends as Horse, was 41-years-old when he died last March.

A former player at Naomh Séamas CLG in Aldergrove, Co Antrim, he also coached the ladies team to a Division 2 title and a Junior Championship and spent time as time with St Malachy’s Belfast.

In February, several teams close to him took part in a charity football blitz at the Cherryvale playing fields in south Belfast including Aldergrove Ladies, Laochra Loch Lao Ladies, Aldergrove Men’s, St Malachy’s, NI Fire & Rescue Service, Antrim Masters and Bredagh, followed by an evening of entertainment and fundraising.

Picture of Darren O’Neill. A Football blitz takes place in memory of much loved firefighter, GAA coach and former player Darren O’Neill, also known as Horse who died suddenly in March 2023. The former player at Naomh Séamas CLG in Aldergrove, who coached the ladies team to a Division 2 title and a Junior Championship. Darren also had a period with St Malachys in Belfast. Teams close to Darren included Aldergrove ladies, Laochra Loch Lao Ladies, Aldergrove men’s, St Malachys, NIFRS, Antrim Masters, Bredagh and Pearses took part in the tournament on Saturday at Cherryvale playing fields, Followed by an evening of entertainment and fundraising with All proceeds going to suicide awareness. Aldergrove Ladies and the NIFRS came out on top on the day, winning the Darren O’Neill memorial trophies.
Darren O'Neill, a firefighter, GAA coach and former player died suddenly in March 2023

Thanking those who took part, Susan Conlan from the Suicide Awareness and Support Group said the donation was “profoundly appreciated”.

“As you know, we endeavour to support those bereaved by suicide and help support those at risk of suicide,” she said.

“Your generous donation came at a timely period given the current economic climate where funding for services are hard to attain.

From L-R Stephanie Connolly (Friend of Darren), Colin Connolly (Friend of Darren) , Susan Conlan (Suicide Awareness) , and Sorcha Campbell (Friend of Darren) make a donation of £5,500 to Suicide awareness in Memory of also known as Horse, Who died suddenly in March last year, aged 41. Money was raised after a weekend of GAA in February this year involving Teams close to Darren including Aldergrove Ladies, Laochra Loch Lao Ladies, Aldergrove Men’s, St Malachy’s, NI Fire & Rescue Service, Antrim Masters and Bredagh, followed by an evening of entertainment and fundraising. On Receiving the Donation Thanked all involved, “On behalf of the Suicide Awareness and Support Group, can I avail of the opportunity to say a sincere thank you for your donation of £5,500.00 As you know, we endeavour to support those bereaved by suicide and help support those at risk of suicide. Your generous donation came at a timely period given the current economic climate where funding for services are hard to attain. Your donation will help the organisation to provide vital counselling and therapy sessions. The possibility here is to effectively help change a life, or, by providing counselling for someone in suicidal crisis, can help save their life. Your kindness and generosity has been profoundly appreciated by the bereaved families at the Suicide Awareness and Support Group. Families bereaved to Suicide believe that individuals can touch their hearts and our family members extend their sincere thanks to you and all who supported you in raising this amount”. PICTURE COLM LENAGHAN
From L-R Stephanie Connolly (Friend of Darren), Colin Connolly (Friend of Darren) , Susan Conlan (Suicide Awareness) , and Sorcha Campbell (Friend of Darren) make a donation of £5,500. PICTURE: COLM LENAGHAN

“Your donation will help the organisation to provide vital counselling and therapy sessions.

“The possibility here is to effectively help change a life, or, by providing counselling for someone in suicidal crisis, can help save their life.”

She added: “Your kindness and generosity has been profoundly appreciated by the bereaved families at the Suicide Awareness and Support Group.

“Families bereaved to suicide believe that individuals can touch their hearts and our family members extend their sincere thanks to you and all who supported you in raising this amount.”