TEN years ago next month Leitrim couple Peter and Catherine Blaney lost their nine year-old son, Oisín, in a sudden death connected to his epilepsy.
To mark the anniversary of Oisín’s death on June 17, 2009, Peter is organising a hurling blitz for over 200 young players at his club, Liatroim Fontenoys GAC, on Saturday, June 15.
This will be the second year that the former Carryduff man has organised the hurling tournament in Oisín’s memory.
Last year’s event, together with support from family and friends, raised £6,000 for Oisín’s former school, Knockevin Special School in Downpatrick and Dundrum.
He hopes to raise £2,000 from the hurling competition which will go towards a special bus to accommodate students in wheelchairs.
“Oisín was a lively, healthy, nine year-old boy who loved Knockevin School and made wonderful progress there under the guidance of his teachers, speech, physios and occupational therapists,” said Mr Blaney.
“We want to help the school and other children to achieve their potential by raising funds so that they can buy the equipment needed to access a broad and rich curriculum.
“Oisín was particularly good at swimming and computers. We were delighted that the school suggested using money we had raised last year to buy coding equipment in order to give equal opportunities to all children and ensure all children reach their potential.”
Oisín was born with developmental issues and was diagnosed with Smith-Magenis syndrome when he was two years old.
The family moved from Carryduff to Leitrim outside Castlewellan to build a home more suited to Oisín’s needs and he began to make great progress after attending Knockevin.
Mr Blaney said: “Smith-Magenis syndrome was not a life-shortening condition and Oisín was a very happy, smiling and mischievous boy who loved being in the pool and playing with gadgets.
“He started to take seizures in April the year he died, which he survived, but that morning in June we found him dead in bed.”
Mr Blaney said he had been thinking for years of organising a hurling tournament in his son’s memory.
He said: “I actually put pen to paper to plan it after I felt in a stronger place than I had in a while.
“Last year’s event was a three-fold thing — it honoured Oisín’s memory, it help our club build stronger links with other clubs and, most importantly, it helped to raise funds for Knockevin.”
Mr Blaney said teams of young hurlers from all over Northern Ireland will be competing on June 15, as well as six teams from Dublin.
Players from the P5 age group will be taking part, including Mr Blaney’s youngest son, Senan (9).
All those who attend can also have the chance to see the Liam McCarthy Cup and meet legendary Waterford hurler and RTE pundit John Mullane.
To donate to the appeal which will go to aid Knockevin Special School please visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/peter-blaney-1.