http://www.ciarancarrfoundation.ie/index.html
Dublin senior football manager Jim Gavin today lent his support to the establishment of the Ciarán Carr Foundation that has been set up in memory of the young dual player from Clondalkin in Dublin.
Ciarán’s parents Philip and Gemma, along with a specially appointed committee, have dedicated the memory of their son who collapsed and died during an indoor training session with the Round Tower GAA Club senior footballers in January 2012, to the new foundation.
It aims to educate players and parents about SADS and to equip those involved with the training and management of teams to deal with incidents related to this condition as they arise.
The importance of defibrillators, CPR and AED will form a central part of the education process the foundation hopes to foster.
Initially the programme has targeted club friends and team mates of Ciarán through engagement with the GAA questionnaire and then an ECG and medical consultation should that need arise.
The foundation aims to work with CRY and the Irish Heart Foundation.
Philip Carr, Ciarán’s father said: “2012 was obviously a very challenging year for us losing as we did our only child, our son Ciarán in such tragic circumstances.
“If there was any consolation it came in the fact that he died doing what he loved alongside his friends and the support we have received from so many in the period since, has been immense.
“We launch this initiative with the intention of not only honouring Ciarán but in the hope of making a tangible difference by informing people of this condition and also by educating them about how to deal with it should they be faced with this prospect.”
Jim Gavin added: “On the night of January 12 2011, Ciarán Carr played at right corner forward for the Dublin U21 football team during a challenge game against Derry. That night Ciarán displayed all the skills he had honed on the playing fields of Clondalkin, and I vividly remember catching the eye of his proud parents Philip and Gemma as they stood on the sideline, watching their son don the sky blue jersey.
“12 months later on the night of January 20 2012, while training for the Round Towers senior football team, Ciarán collapsed and died from Sudden Adult Death Syndrome. His loss was deeply felt by the Dublin GAA community but the strength and courage shown by Gemma and Philip has been inspirational.
“SADS has had a devastating impact on the sporting fields of this island. The Ciarán Carr Foundation encourages all sports managers and trainers to be become proactive about learning about SADS. It encourages clubs to properly resource their training and playing facilities with the necessary equipment to fight SADS, so when the time comes a life can be saved; not lost.”
For more information contact Philip Carr on 087 6210484
The establishment of the foundation is covered in this week’s Echo newspaper, www.echo.ie
http://www.tv3.ie/3player/show/3/61064/1/Sport-Updates
http://www.ciarancarrfoundation.ie/index.html
