SEPTEMBER
18 is D-Day, and not just for the Dublin Senior Footballers who will take on
Kerry in what promises to be a cracker of an All-Ireland Final.
On
the same day that the Dubs will be lining out at Croke Park, one lone
Northsider will face his own almighty challenge when he attempts to swim the
English Channel for charity.
If
wind and tide are in his favour, 48-year-old Fergal Somerville will begin his
solitary swim from Dover to Cap Griz Nez in France at 1.30am on Sunday morning.
The Artane native will be swimming for between 14 and 17 hours, across the two
busiest shipping lanes in the world, in a heroic bid to raise money for cystic
fibrosis.
The
fundraising target is
?¬25,000, which will be donated to CF research team at
Beaumont Hospital.
But
although Fergal may be missing the match for a marathon stint in cold sea
water, he can be confident the Dubs will spare him a thought from their
dressing room.
The
players have already demonstrated their whole-hearted support for the cause,
not least because their team doctor, Professor Gerry McElvaney, also leads the
Cystic Fibrosis Research group at Beaumont.
That
support was in evidence on the very same day that Dublin qualified for the
All-Ireland final with a hard-earned win over Donegal.
After
the match, superstar goalkeeper Stephen Cluxton joined revellers in the Goblet
Bar, Artane, to present a football signed by members of the Dublin Senior
football panel. The autographed ball was raffled off that night to a lucky
winner, raising a total of e880 for the Cystic Fibrosis Research fund.
Three
other Dublin senior football stars went a step further last month when they
visited the CF unit in Beaumont Hospital. Ross McConnell (St Oliver
Plunketts/Eoghan Ruadh), Eamon Fennell and Michael Savage (both St Vincent’s)
stopped by to see Professor McElvaney, but they weren’t there to ask their team
doctor to check out any knocks or injuries. They wanted to pledge their
commitment to assist the professor and Fergal Somerville with their fundraising
efforts.
They
also wanted to organise a series of visits to their old schools all across
Dublin, to take place in a month’s time. The boys will retrace their footsteps
back to their old pitches and greet the next generation of quality players who
will one day aim to bring Sam Maguire back to the capital.
Speaking
to Northside People this week, Ross McConnell said the lads on the Dublin team
are 100 per cent behind Fergal’s swimming challenge.
“We’ve
seen how hard he has trained all year to swim the Channel,
? he said.
“When
we heard he was doing it for Gerry, we just jumped right in.
?
Michael
Savage said he’s looking forward to visiting his old school in Marino to speak
to the children and present a few Dublin jerseys as prizes in a raffle.
“I
remember the Dublin team of
’95 visiting our school when I was small. What an
occasion. Seeing our heroes on the stage in Scoil Mhuire was such a great
buzz,
? he added.
Fergal
is also hoping to attend the school visits, if only to make up for not being able
to support the Dubs in the All Ireland Final.
“I
won’t be there on the day, but I’ve said to the lads all year that we will
hopefully have medals to compare come the end of September,
? he said.
But
both Fergal and the team agree that the real medal should go to the unsung
hero, Professor Gerry McElvaney, whose work helps relieve the suffering
experienced by people with cystic fibrosis.
“Most
people know how cruel CF can be to patients and families alike,
? said Professor
McElvaney.
“But
we have numerous projects where we are developing insight into CF and producing
positive results that are felt here and worldwide. Have no doubt that research
is saving lives and improving patient care.
?
Meanwhile
the fundraising efforts continue, and at the time of writing, Fergal has raised
a total of
?¬1,660 and counting. Anyone who wishes to donate can do so online at
mycharity.ie/event/fergal_somerville_2011_channel_swim/