WEDNESDAY the 6th of November promised so much.
Scoileanna Inis Eoghain were playing against Cathair Dhoire in the Scarvey in Buncrana in the Danske Bank MacRory Cup; two amalgamation teams debuting in Ulster Schools’ top football competition.
Young Malin clubman Niall Gallagher was hoping to be handed a starting jersey.
Instead he was given No 23 and didn’t get the opportunity that evening in a tight enough game that finished in a 3-10 to 1-17 defeat for the north east Donegal side.
Just turned 16, Niall wasn’t too disappointed but was nevertheless determined to make an impression during the next two games – against St Patrick’s Academy Dungannon and St Macartan’s Monaghan.
Both games turned out to be nightmares for the Inis Eoghain combination with heavy defeats, but a darker shadow had fallen on young Niall Gallagher.
On November 16, Niall went to his GP feeling unwell.
He had been feeling tired and low in energy which was very unusual for him. Niall was immediately referred to Letterkenny University Hospital and he spent the night in the haematology ward before being rushed to St James’ Hospital in Dublin the following day.
By early the following morning he had been diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) and has been a patient on the Denis Burkitt ward for the past five weeks.
He has commenced a three year programme for the treatment of ALL including chemotherapy, steroids and other medications as well as several lumbar punctures and will remain in St James’ Hospital for up to six months initially.
Malin GAA club chairman and secretary of the Inis Eoghain Divisional Board Pat McLaughlin describes Niall as a very active member of his local club.
“Niall captained Malin to the under 12 Divisional championship in 2015 and then two years ago they won the all-county under 14 Division 1 title and Niall was making huge progress on county Development squads.
“His family has been involved in the club for many years. His father Brendan is a former player along with his uncle John and his mother’s brothers would also have played with us.
“Niall is a gentleman and he has a very positive attitude to everything; 'Right what has to be done next, lets get on with it'.”
That is the way he is approaching the treatment and he really is an inspirational young man.”
But the Malin chairman is keen to point out the financial burden facing the family.
“It is really tough what Niall and his family are going through right now and asking for financial assistance is not easy.
“Since Niall has turned 16 years of age, he is treated as an adult and is unable to avail of services such as the Ronald McDonald House for his family’s accommodation. As a result, his family have had to secure rented accommodation in Dublin close to the hospital.
“A gofundme page has been set up to help towards the rent and the long term costs of Niall’s treatment in Dublin over the next few years and already over Euro50k has been pledged.
“People here in Malin, GAA people, so many people everywhere have put their hand into their pocket to help the Gallagher family and I know the family really appreciate that.
“It can’t be easy for Niall and his family coming up to Christmas, but it is a comfort to know how generous people have been.”
Niall will continue his treatment in Dublin through the Christmas period and into 2020.
The following is the link to the funding page: https://www.gofundme.com/f/niall039s-leukemia-treatment?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet
