For their first podcast of the year, popular GAA-analyst The Sideline Eye opted to highlight the upcoming ‘A Night for Kieran’, aimed at supporting a stalwart south Armagh player through cancer treatment.
Shaun Casey – of The Sideline Eye – met with Belleek and Co Armagh player, Callum O’Neill and Clady’s GFC’s Mark McGivern at the Carrickdale Hotel, Dundalk… where the fundraising night will be held.
Both players were as representation for their clubs who – despite being close rivals on the field – have come together to organise the event for former Belleek player and current Clady player and coach, Kieran Connolly.
Before interviewing the players, Shaun explained the reasons for the podcast and location. To listeners, he explained that it was on the field during a Championship game last year that Kieran suffered an injury. Later, after visiting hospital, that injury revealed the devastating blow of a cancer diagnosis.
Kieran – who played corner-back for Belleek and centre-half forward for Clady – was not only versatile as a player but a “prolific” goal scorer in his time.
Shaun provided stats reflecting Kieran had a whopping 300 appearances under his belt for Belleek and now three successful seasons with Clady, whom he joined in his mid-40s.
Speaking to Kieran’s character, Mark said in jest: “My first experience of Kieran was many years ago playing for Belleek and playing against him for Clady… and if you had of told me ten years ago that Kieran Connolly and I would have been buddies I wouldn’t have believed you!”
Of his prowess on the pitch, he continued: “He was the hardest man you would play football against. Gives his all, ie. would have run through a brick wall and that’s the truth!
“When he played for us in that match you just mentioned [the Championship game], when he got injured it was just strange because Kieran didn’t get up. Kieran always gets up. So we went out and, obviously, he had to come off the field and then it transpired that it was a lot more serious.”
Mark said that despite coming to the club in “later life”, Kieran has had “immense” influence over Clady using his years of experience at Belleek to “lift” the standards and training.
As a coach for the U6 team at Clady, Mark added: “Coaching underage football… the U6 age group is one nobody wants to coach!
“It’s the measure of the man that Kieran is, that he was willing to take that on when we were struggling to get someone to do it.”
And, while it’s well known that Kieran can be a “tough man” on the pitch, Mark said he has a “way” with the children he coaches, they all “love him” and have “missed him so much this year”.
“We’re hoping for Clady’s sake that we get him back for the underage football to bring the standards and people through,” said Mark.
Likewise, his former clubmate Callum had only good things to say about Kieran… even though he might have been partial to the odd “rib tickler” or two!
Said Callum: “In the changing rooms he’s the same as if you bumped into him in person. He’s very quiet of himself, just keeps himself to himself, keeps the head down.
“As Mark says, once you step foot on the field you knew all about it! He’s just a great, great worker. There’s no airs or graces about him.
“Great skill on the ball, had a good eye for a score but as I say, if you’re in a tackle with him, if you caught the ball and he was near you… you knew all about it.
“He has this lovely wee… carrying the ball here [motions under his arm] and you think you’ve got away from him and he’d come in with the wee hand – closed fist – and he would just pop the ball out… and if you happen to get a wee rib or two on the way past he was happy enough!
Kieran holds two Championship medals, one for their 2001 success and one in 2021… this, Callum said “shows the longevity of him”.
“Mad about football”, Mark added that Kieran and his whole family love the game. Remarking on that love and dedication to the sport, the Clady man said that even his parents, Paddy and Kay never miss a match.
And no matter what unfolds during that game, Kieran always left it all on the field. A “hard but fair” player, he was liable to even go for a pint straight after and leave the errs of the game where they lay.
That love of the sport extends to his injury and subsequent cancer diagnosis. According to Mark, Kieran sees the positive in the injury… lauding it for “saving his life”.
All three on the podcast, concur that at times like this the GAA family “opens its arms” to “look after its own”.
On the evening of February 21, the Carrickdale Hotel will too open its doors to communities and clubs across Co Armagh to “put the shoulder to the wheel” for this esteemed Gael.
The Dan Brown Band have been invited to entertain the masses with tickets and donations on the night all going towards supporting Kieran and his family while he undergoes treatment and recovery.
A GoFundMe page has also been created by Kieran’s lifelong friend, Francis with whom his friendship blossomed since primary school.
It was set with a target of £10,000 and at the time of writing has already raised over £8,400.
Said Francis of Kieran: “…anyone who knows him knows he is one of the most genuine, kind-hearted people you could ever meet. Recently, Kieran has been faced with the biggest battle of his life — a cancer diagnosis that has turned everything upside down for him, his loving wife, and their four young children.
“While Kieran focuses all his strength on fighting this illness, the financial pressures that come with hospital visits, treatments, inability to work and daily family life continue to grow. No family should have to worry about finances during a time like this.”
Every donation – “no matter how big or small” – will go directly towards supporting Kieran and his family — helping with day-to-day costs and allowing them to focus on what truly matters, “family and recovery”.
He continued: “Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your kindness, generosity, and support during this incredibly difficult time. Together, we can show Kieran and his family that they are not facing this fight alone.”
Tickets for ‘A Night for Kieran’ can be purchased by making contact with Belleek GFC and Clady GFC and donations to the GoFundMe page can be made here.
