Remembering Caolan McCrossan

The plaque at the CLIC Sargent house in Belfast which remembers Caolan McCrossan

It has been over a year since 13-year-old Caolan McCrossan died, yet his memory still lives on in the hearts and minds of many throughout Ireland.

The young Doire Colmcille player came to the wider attention of the Gaelic Life readers when Joe Brolly told the story of his meeting with the promising teenager from the Derry city club.

A year on from his passing, CLIC Sargent – a leading cancer charity which supports children and young people – opened their new support facility called Amy House. In that house many of the rooms have been named by young people who have received support from CLIC Sargent. One of those rooms is named after Caolán McCrossan.

It is a touching tribute and one that illustrates the important relationship between the charity and Caolán’s family during his treatment last year.

Caolán eventually lost his battle with stomach cancer on February 17 of last year. But not long after he passed, Joe Brolly told the story of his visits with the young half forward, and how he had been moved by the teenager’s strength and courage.

Young Caolán’s final wish was to see Joe Brolly’s All-Ireland medal, and he wore it on his death bed in his final days.

Joe wrote: “I handed him the medal in its box. He opened it and I swear, whatever way the light hit it, it glowed. You would have thought I had given him the elixir of life. He beckoned me in again: ’It’s beautiful Joe’.”

But the story wasn’t about All-Ireland medals. It was about children who possess bravery which adults cannot comprehend. The story is also about clubs who rally around their team mates, it is also about the support services that many of us aren’t even aware exist.

For Caolán McCrossan and his family, it was CLIC Sargent which helped them during an incredibly difficult time.

CLIC Sargent provide clinical, practical and emotional support for children and young people and their families.

For the McCrossan family, one of the most important aspects of that support was the accomodation, as they were travelling from Belfast to Derry during Caolán’s treatment. The cost of that journey both emotionally and physical was eased thanks to CLIC Sargent.

Caolán was in hospital for nine weeks and during that time the family were able to use the home as a place to stay.

It is because of that support, and how much it meant to the family, that after Caolán passed away his family and friends felt that they had to give something back, and so began a process of fundraising for CLIC Sargent.

Caolán’s school St Columb’s college was quick to get involved. They organised a memorial run on Caolán’s Birthday, June 4, which became the focal point of their fundraising drive. They approached businesses and ran smaller satellite events and in total raised £19,000 for CLIC Sargent.

But Derry city didn’t stop there.

Caolán’s club Doire Colmcille had rowed in behind the school to support the run last year, but this year they were keen to create a particular event to honour their club mate. This event will be the Caolán McCrossan commemorative u-14 blitz which will be held on his birthday, June 4, and be open to the entire county.

The Doire Colmcille chairman Ciaran Quinn said: “Caolán was tragically taken away from his family and friends while still in the early stages of his playing career.

“He had progressed through the club from u-8, u-10 and u-12, he was developing into a great u-14 player, and a great ambassador for his club.

“As this year Caolán would have been playing with the u-14 team we have organised a commemorative blitz to ensure that his name will always be associated with the club, and currently with the group of players that he would have played alongside.

“We have spoke with Sean and Kim (Caolán’s parents) and agreed to keep June fourth as the day for the blitz. It’s a actually a week before our St Columba’s day blitz.

“This is going to be a countywide event and we will be sending out information so that all the clubs can get involved.”

It has got to the stage that the club is constantly thinking of new ways to raise money for CLIC Sargent.

They have a tuck shop which opens for club events and the money raised from that goes to CLIC Sargent. They have also ran a charity match between former players and current players which raised money for the charity.

A number of the Doire Colmcille club are planning to run the Walled City half marathon to raise money for the Caolán McCrossan Remember me fund, including his brother Gary and underage coach Robbie Doherty.

It is indicative of the spirit of the people in a GAA club that this happens.

Indeed, Joe Brolly in the past has said that GAA clubs are the sort of organisations that can get things done. If they rally around a cause they can make things happen.

So far, between the school and the club and the family, the money raised is at £22,000.

As Caolán’s father Sean said: “I want to thank everyone in the Gaelic Community, and everybody in Derry and throughout Ulster for their support. I want to thank CLIC Sargent for supporting our family during Caolán’s illness. I also want to thank the pupils and staff of St Columb’s College, and also everyone at Caolán’s club, Doire Columb Cille. I also want to thank the medical staff at Altnagelvin hopsital, and the Royal’s Children’s hospital in Belfast, and finally to the many staff in the Royal and the City Hospital in Belfast, and all the people who have supported us.”