Local football club raises funds following tragic death of teammate

< DAN DOONER

A Roscommon football team is raising money in order to help repatriate one of its members who passed away suddenly while visiting Belgium recently.

Roscommon United Football Club has set up a Gofundme page to raise €3,000 for the family of a beloved teammate and friend, Erik Klempar, who sadly passed away at the age of 36.

A friend of Mr Klempar, a father-of-seven, said he had attended the Europa Conference League football match between Gent and Istanbul Basaksehir on Thursday last before touring the city of Gent on Friday.

It is believed he suffered a sudden illness on Friday night/Saturday morning and sadly passed away at his accommodation.

Commenting this week, Chairperson Mike Ryan said: “Our dear friend and teammate Erik passed away on Saturday, March 11th. He was a husband and father to seven children including five boys and two girls, the youngest of which is only nine months old.

“Erik will be sadly missed by his family and friends in Roscommon town, including all of us at Roscommon United Football Club. We offer our sincere condolenc- es to his wife and children as well as his family and many friends both here and in his native Slovakia”.

Mr Klempar moved to Roscommon in 2015 and was an integral part of the Roscommon United team since 2017, win- ning a Masters Cup last summer.

“He was the quiet man of the group, but he led by example in the way that he played football. We all feel lucky to call him our friend and to have shared the field with him,” the club said.

Hospice Coffee Morning in Boyle

A coffee afternoon will be held in Fitzpatrick’s Bar, Grangemore, Boyle on Bank Holiday Monday, April 12th at 2 pm in aid of Roscommon Hospice. Your support would be most appreciated. Donations welcome.

Cloonycolgan Community Centre Committee update

Cloonycolgan Community Centre Committee wish to sincerely thank Phil McLaughlin for coordinating our annual Oiche Gaelach held on Saturday night last. We also thank Ethna Fahy School of Dancers, World Dancing finalist Megan Flynn, Roscommon and Athleague Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann musicians and singers, Nightingale singers and soloists, and Kieran Gavin for his recitation.

Thanks also to those who donated food and prizes and to all who helped in so many ways on the night.

Bingo is held each Monday night in the centre. On Tuesdays, Ethna Fahy conducts primary school dancing from 2 pm to 4.30 pm, Ann McCormack holds Art and Craft lessons (7 pm to 8.30 pm) and Kevin Kelly organises Ceili Dancing between 8.30 pm and 10 pm.

A Card Drive takes place each Thursday at 8.30 pm. Thelma Keenan keeps all fit each Friday from 11 am. Eimear Fox organises Pilates each Friday at 6 pm and 7 pm.

Appeal for fresh daffodils for Daffodil Day

Irish Cancer Society’s annual Daffodil Day fundraiser will take place this year on Friday, March 24th.

“This fundraiser will go towards the repatriation expenses back to his native Slovakia, and to assist the family financially after this profound loss”.

To donate, please visit the ‘Bring Erik Home’ Gofundme page.

Organisation:

As in previous years, the local voluntary organisers of Daffodil Day in Roscommon town are appealing to the public to donate fresh daffodils for the fundraiser.

Volunteers will be available to receive daffodils at the Daffodil Day depot in Unit 1, Stone Court (the old jail), on Thursday, March 23rd, from 11 am to 6 pm.

Volunteers and students will be on the streets and at local supermarkets and shops, selling fresh daffodils, silk daffodils, Daffodil Day Pins, and other Daffodil Day items in support of this annual fundraiser.