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Kevin Mangan Memorial raises funds for the Mercy Hospital Foundation
By Derek Kiely in Youghal
Derek Kiely reports for Youghalonline
KEVIN MANGAN’S name will be forever remembered by his close friends and the support of his family as the annual Kevin Mangan memorial golf day was held at ‘Gold Coast Golf Resort’ last weekend, but this year was a little bit special as funds were raised for the Mercy Hospital Foundation.
Family and friends present a cheque of 2,023 euro to the Mercy Hospital Foundation from the recent Kevin Mangan Memorial Golf Classic.- Pictured at the cheque presentation at the Mangan family home on Thursday 21st July 2011 are: Anthony Donoghue, Claire Crowley, Helen landers, Phil Mangan, Teresa McCarthy, Rosemary O'Leary - Fundraiser executive with the Mercy Hospital Foundation, Peg Crowley and Paddy Mangan. Pic:YOL
Kevin sadly passed away a few years ago when he died after he suffered from Sleep Apnea and Kevin’s family and friends started a memorial day in 2008, but this time the family and the friends of the fondly remembered Youghal man wanted to do something more and with the dedication of one of his greatest friends Anthony O’Donoghue started to organise fund raising, sponsored prizes and sponsor cards to help raise funds towards a machine at the Mercy Hospital that can help with this condition.
Over 40 people turned up and played in the event and the organiser of the event Anthony O’Donoghue said “We wanted his (Kevin) memorial day to be a charity event from here on in, it certainly has grown over the last three years and I hope it gets even bigger and more people get involved. People in around Youghal have been very supportive and I want to thank them for their help and sponsorship, in particular this year to Mr Noel Mackey, he was brilliant”.
The red jacket for the winner was presented to the evergreen Paddy Yellop, who at 75 years young beat the field to the number one spot.
Paddy Yellop receives the Red Jacket and first prize
Mrs Phil Mangan the mother of the late Kevin Mangan said at the presentation “People have been great and I want to thank everyone who donated or helped in any way, Kevin Will never be forgotten with his great friends and if we can help to save just one life that would be brilliant”.
The event organiser is already getting ready for 2012 and going by the enthusiasm shown by the group to raise funds for the Mercy Hospital Foundation, this annual event is set to grow much bigger.
The presentation of prizes was held at Noel Mackey’s Central Star last Saturday evening and the top five winners were:
1st Paddy Yellop
2nd Adrian Yellop
3rd Michael O’Donoghue
4th John Leary
5th Anthony Kelly
Click on image to enlarge
The Mercy Hospital Foundation fundraiser at the Walter Raleigh hotel last Friday October 15th. was a great success. The event was a fun fundraiser and a fitting tribute to the late Mickey O’Connell from Gurranabraher, Cork. Mickey used spend his weekends amongs friends in Youghal where his gentle disposition and love for life endeared him to all who knew him. On September 19th 2009, Mickey, aged just 61, succumbed to cancer in Cork’s Mercy hospital. Now, through the Mercy Hospital Foundation, the friends whose lives he enriched aim to ensure his untimely passing brings benefit to others whose lives are infringed by the disease.
Paudie Whyte, Donie O'Connell, Helen Ryan, Mary O'Connell, Dave Cooley, Eileen and Charlie O'Connell
Admission on the night brought free entry to a raffle in which donated prizes revealed amazing generosity. The array included an i phone 4 (estimated value €700), two LCD televisions, two nights b&b with one evening meal in Ennis, €100 shopping voucher, a petrol lawn mower, a petrol hedge strimmer, dinner for four in Midleton and much more. “People have been exceptionally kind,” said Ger Kenneally from the organising committee, “All our outlays have been sponsored, so every cent we raise goes directly to the Mercy hospital. Mickey himself was a generous man and this is a very fitting way to honour his memory,” he added.
Click on image to start slideshow. Photos: Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com
The Mercy Hospital Foundation fundraiser is at the Walter Raleigh hotel on Friday October 15th.
A heart-warming story of friendship, care and camaraderie lies behind a fundraising night for the Mercy hospital cancer care unit next month. For over thirty years Mickey O’Connell from Gurranabraher spent his weekend amongst friends in Youghal, where he his gentle disposition and love for life endeared him to all who knew him. On September 19th 2009, Mickey, aged just 61, succumbed to cancer in Cork’s Mercy hospital. Now, through the Mercy Hospital Foundation, the friends whose lives he enriched aim to ensure his untimely passing brings benefit to others whose lives are infringed by the disease.
Throughout his Youghal sojourns, Mickey was the house guest of Dave and Mag Cooley from Cherryvale, who recall him as “an absolute gentleman and wonderful company.” Ger Kenneally of the fundraising committee reiterates the view, describing Mickey as “a great character and one of the kindest souls you could possibly meet and a man with a great sense of humour. Nobody ever have a bad word to say about Mickey,” he states.
A lifelong bachelor, Mickey served his working life in the customers’ service department of Bord Gais. Mickey shared the family home with his twin sisters Mary and Brenda. The eldest of nine children, his sibling all survive him.
Music
Many of Mickey’s friendships evolved through his musical talents. An accomplished drummer throughout the showband era, he playing alongside such household names as Derek Davis, The Regal Showband, Pat Lynch & the Air Chords, Barry Hendrick & the Treetops and the Music Men. In more recent years he plied his talents on guitar and frequently sat in on sessions in Youghal. “He had a great mind for electronics too,” remembers his sister Mary, “and even built a few guitars. He could never refuse help to anyone, so he’d be fixing guitars for people as well.”
On the night…
Fittingly, many Youghal musicians acquainted with Mickey’s talents will perform at what promises to be a fundraising event with the emphasis as much on fun as funds. “Local bands Rannach and Clockwork will play but there will also be guest musicians from Youghal and Cork,” says Ger.
In difficult economic times, the generosity of businesses and individuals towards the cause already reflects astoundingly well on the town and beyond. Youghal road bowlers recently raised over €600 which, allied to private donations, has helped swell the fundraising coffers to over €5,000 three weeks before the main event.
Traditional band "Rannach" will be performing at the fundraiser
Admission on the night event brings free entry to a raffle in which donated prizes again reveal amazing generosity. The array includes an i phone 4 (estimated value €700), two LCD televisions, two nights b&b with one evening meal in Ennis, €100 shopping voucher, a petrol lawn mower, a petrol hedge strimmer, dinner for four in Midleton and much more. “People have been exceptionally kind,” agrees Ger, “All our outlays have been sponsored, so every cent we raise goes directly to the Mercy hospital. Mickey himself was a generous man and this is a very fitting way to honour his memory,” he adds.
The Mercy Hospital Foundation fundraiser is at the Walter Raleigh hotel on Friday October 15th. Admission €10 at door or advance tickets at Cree’s shop and from committee members, Dave & Mag Cooley, Ger Kenneally, Con Kiely, J.J. Cooley, Paudie White. Inquiries: Ger Kenneally: 087-6204084; Dave & Mag Cooley: (024) 91586.
