Fundraiser in honour of late JP Duffy
PLAYERS FROM CURRY GAA ARE RUNNING TO RUISLIP AND BACK RAISING MONEY FOR CROÍ IN MEMORY OF THEIR LATE MANAGER
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JP Duffy would have turned 55 on Saturday, May 30th. To remember their manager and clubman Curry GAA are hosting a fundraiser in his memory to raise money for Croí, a charity close to the Duffy family.
The Curry men’s and ladies teams are running the distance from South Sligo to Ruislip, taking in MacHale Park, Fr O’Hara Park and Croke Park along the way while raising vital money for the charity.
JP was a leading figure in the world of business and GAA and the South Sligo community and further afield were mourning his sudden passing last November while taking part in the Westport Sea to Summit.
He was a huge follower of the GAA and his beloved Mayo and the former player had also been a successful manager, having managed both Curry’s ladies and men’s teams.
JP and his wife Yvonne had founded the Westel Utilities company in Curry 19 years previously which specialises in the installation of telecoms networks.
JP’s daughter, Aoife, said the family were very appreciative of Curry remembering their father on what would have been his 55th birthday.
She told The Sligo Champion: “It’s been strange, especially now with Covid-19 so it is really nice that the GAA club is doing something to remember dad, it brings back nice memories,” she added.
Aoife and her 2 younger brothers, Patrick and Eanna all play GAA having had the love of the game instilled in them from their father, who she described as ‘GAA mad’.
“Dad was from just outside Charlestown and was very involved in both clubs (Curry and Charlestown). He would have played for St Joseph’s school and then Charlestown before he moved to London.
I was born over in London and dad played for Wembley Gaels when he was over there and he managed them for a little while as well.
“He would have played with other clubs too when he was over there.
“We moved back to Sligo in 1999 and I suppose us as kids were very much involved in GAA all along, we all played and I still play with Curry ladies, I had moved to Dublin for work but went back playing this year before Covid-19 happened.
“I really like it and although I’m living in Dublin, it’s nice to be back home at the moment,” Aoife said.
The family got word at the beginning of the year that the club were mentioning they were going to do something to remember JP by.
“It was only a week ago that we heard about the fundraiser, our cousin Colin who worked with dad is part of the fundraising committee.
“It is taking place on the 30th of May and it is nice to remember dad on that day, especially now that we are in lockdown and can’t go for dinner say. There is great solidarity in this and we really appreciate it,” Aoife explained.
She said the reaction already has been brilliant. “The response is great, the last time I checked it was over €4k and the target is €5k even though the race hasn’t even taken place yet.
“It’s starting here in Curry and then going to MacHale Park which is fitting. Dad was the biggest Mayo fan, I actually don’t think I can emphasise that enough, his first love was Mayo and then the kids, he was absolutely obsessed!,” Aoife laughed. “He loved Curry and he loved Charlestown club too but Mayo was his number one, he was travelling everywhere, he would have our heads wrecked.
“Every year he would have said ‘I’m done, I’m done’ but then every January he’d come round and the green and red would come out again!”.
Aoife said that it’s a fitting tribute to her dad’s love of GAA that all of the venues that meant so much to him are included from Curry, to MacHale Park, Charlestown, Croke Park and Ruislip.
As it stands it is the Curry men’s and ladies teams that are completing the run on May 30th but people can run it in conjunction Aoife explained.
“There is so many people getting in touch to see if they can take part, a lot are running in conjunction and it will be the team’s miles that are going to be tracked.
“In the week coming up to the event, the club is doing a Get Active week where you can nominate a friend to run as training for it as we will each be doing 12k on the day.”
Aoife said she hopes that people will donate if they can and raise money for Croí. “The GoFundMe page has been launched and people can find that on the Curry GAA Facebook page. One of dad’s friends from Dublin also got in touch, he has a signed Dublin jersey from their 5-ina-row and will be doing a silent auction to go with the GoFundMe donations.”
Aoife said the family were extremely grateful that it was Croí that Curry GAA decided the money will go to for their vital services they provide.
“Croí is a great charity and we do sadly in our family have a history of it, dad’s brother died from a stroke at a young age and his own father died from a heart attack. Dad passed away when he was doing the Sea 2 Summit in aid of Croí. As a charity, it is very close to us and it means a lot to us that the club picked them as the charity,” she added.