Duhallow News
Fundraiser Days For M
“There’s a Mick Cronin in every club - a genuine fella who’ll fix a wall or come with his drill when needs be, or he’ll line a pitch, wash the jerseys, train the underage lads - every club has them, but he’s our Mick Cronin so we’re going to do all we can to support him.” Powerful words from Ryan McCarthy. Their Mick Cronin is a construction worker originally from Kiskeam, he’s lived in Chicago and now lives in Wilton with his wife Karen and kids Aibhe and Sean. He’s kind to everyone, admired by old and young, and a fantastic friend, father and husband. And he needs help. On the 18th of November, the day before his 52nd birthday, Mick fell at work. This fall resulted in a severe spinal injury with two broken vertebrae at the back of his neck. The resulting injuries have been life changing with the most pressing being a loss of all movement from the shoulders
down. and ourside of the GAA all over the Following the accident, country and the world, as well as Mick lost the ability to many sports enthusiasts, want to move his diaphragm support Mick. and couldn’t breathe Messages of support have come on his own, leading in from all over. Ryan McCarthy, a to ten weeks on a good friend of Mick’s spoke about ventilator. Now, he has the encouraging words that have been moved fully off come through for him. of the ventilator - an “The Bomber Liston, Jackie incredible feat! But Tyrell, The Rock, Declan Hannon, following so much Paul McGrath, Ronnie Whelan, time on a ventilator, Dr Con Murphy, Ronan O Gara, he had to learn to talk Johnny Sexton, Paul Galvin, and eat again. He is Robbie Fowler, John Aldridge, still receiving physio Caoimhin Kelleher were some so he’s medically and of the kind and generous people physically strong enough that got back to me- I’ve about 40 to be transferred to the messages for Mick at this stage. National Rehabilitation Karen says every time she goes Centre in Dun in and she plays a new message Laoighaoire, and has someone records for him the old made incredible strides, spark comes into his eye and including some partial the appetite for the fight ahead is movement in his hands. He’s kept ignited in him.” going through it all, and despite Brian and Pat Cuthbert and Alan everything, he’s still the same Sullivan of Bishopstown GAA have person. He’s always been a sports pulled together an incredible idea. fan, and he remains a huge Cork Matches for Mick is a two day GAA and Liverpool supporter. community based event taking Since his accident, sports has place over the 17th and 18th of been his connection to the outside Match from 10am to 8.30pm. world, and the joy of being able to watch sports on an iPad cannot be understated. The Cork GAA scene is a second family for Mick. He’s been heavily involved in Bishopstown GAA as a volunteer, mentor, and coach, and this family made Mick has been involved with coaching for years, and of friends both in coached the team with PAt Cuthberty and Paul McGrath
12
DiscoverDuhallow@irdduhallow.com
Issue 59 March 11, 2022
