Cian Corrigan from Dungannon passed way on 8th May 2009, just six weeks short of 12th birthday from a very rare malignant spinal cord tumour and just six months after being diagnosed.
Cian was born in Dublin and became an avid fan of the Dublin team. When he was eight, the family moved from Dublin to Dungannon, County Tyrone, where he became immersed in the Tyrone GAA scene. He played for Dungannon Thomas Clarkes Under 10 team and he loved nothing more than being on the pitch, playing for his beloved club. The GAA was an integral part of his life.
It was the cruelest of blows, while waiting for surgery to remove the tumour, Cian was rendered quadraplegic, his tumour having ruptured whilst in hospital. This was an incredibly difficult thing for Cian to deal with as it became clear that he would never run onto a pitch again. However, during this time the wider GAA community were so supportive of Cian and his family and together with the Royal Victoria Hospital for Sick Children and the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service they worked to bring Cian down to Croke Park watch Tyrone play Dublin and to join in the 125th Anniversary Celebrations. This was to be the last match Cian attended.
His love of the Dublin, Tyrone and Dungannon Thomas Clarke GFC teams inspired his family to design a jersey in his memory. The Team Cian jersey is a combination of his three beloved teams and his favourite no.7. The family worked with O’Neill’s on designing the jersey and secured approval from the Tyrone and Dublin County boards to use their respective crests creating this unique one off jersey in his memory. The family take great comfort and immense pride to see the jersey on so many people in the Dungannon area and beyond.
All proceeds from the sale of the jerseys go to the Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice which helped Cian and the family so much both during his illness and after his passing.
Please email or call Jarlath and Rachel Corrigan if you wish to purchase one of these unique jerseys. Children’s £25, Adults £30
jjcorrigan1@btinternet.com
Tel 028 87724910 or Mobile 07905529918
