Dundalk RFC plann ‘Meego’ tribute
DUNDALK will host a ‘Virtual 20km lockdown lineout for Meego’ on the May bank holiday weekend.
Caolan Meegan’s tragic and untimely death was one of the club’s darkest ever days. It was a tragedy felt so deeply within the club, by Caolan’s teammates and coaches and all those whose lives were touched by him within the club.
In a post on social media, the club wrote: ‘Meego as he was so affectionately known was a wonderful, beautiful young man taken far too early from us and in tragic circumstances following an epileptic seizure.
‘He was a very talented rugby player who had established himself as an important and popular member of the Dundalk RFC senior squad who were left devastated by his passing. He was outgoing, charismatic and fun loving whose infectious smile and joy for life left an indelible mark on those he met and on those who had the privilege of playing alongside him.
‘He was competitive and unique andleft his footsteps on the game of rugby.
‘On the rugby pitch Meego was a force to be reckoned with.
He was physically strong and used his strength and his talent to overpower his opponents. He was passionate and he was so inspiring to be around.
‘Meego had so many endearing qualities. He was one of the squad, one of us. He would have done anything for the squad, like a brother.
‘He had that strong personality and while often stubbron, part of that was that he was so loyal and stood up for what he believed in. There were so many times he stood up for his squad and his brothers. He would never back down from supporting the people he believed in.
‘He proved that epilepsy need not stand in the way of an active and successful life. Meego was the cornerstone of his family, of his friends, of his team.’
The Dundalk senior squad and coaching team recognise that this year may be different, but they are all committed to ensuring it will not prevent them from achieving their goal of honouring the memory and to celebrate the life of their teammate by sharing his story, by speaking his name and by honouring his legacy in a socially distanced way.
To that end the squad will come together to honour Meego’s memory and stand shoulder to shoulder with his parents Patrick and Julie, with his brothers Stefan and Ryan, and extended family, to create awareness of epilepsy in young athletes raising much needed funds for epilepsy Ireland.
The club extends an invitation to the ‘Lockdown Lineout for Meego’ memorial 20km run benefiting epilepsy Ireland.
His senior squad teammates invite coaches teammates from the Dundalk Millenium team and from the 2016 Leinster Rugby U17 final winning teams who lined out with him to join them for this memorial run. Details can be found on the club’s facebook page to including registration.
The club is also seeking sponsorship for the event so if you would like to be associated with the unique ‘Lockdown Lineout for Meego” and have your company name supporting Meego’s memory and Epilepsy Ireland please contact Mary Murdock on 087-3833558.