Thomas's Story | ||
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Thomas Sherlock was born in Cootehill, Co.Cavan in 1973 into a family of 5 brothers and 5 sisters.
In December 1992, when he was just 19, Thomas was diagnosed with Leukaemia. For over a year he battled the disease into remmission and was given the all-clear in early 1994, not long after his 21st birthday. However just a few months later, in October 1994, he was given the heartbreaking news that the disease had returned. Irrespective he fought on, battling the disease for over 6 months this time but to no avail. He died in April 1995. "I know this much, I've worked this much out, it's not the end" | |
The Memorial ShieldThomas was an avid soccer fan. He was a huge supporter of Tottenham Hotspur and also enjoyed playing soccer for his local side, Cootehill Harps. When he died his friends decided to play an annual game in his memory, with the gate proceeds going to cancer charity. So the Thomas Sherlock Memorial Shield began as a game between Cootehill Harps and nearby Ballybay. The game ran annually for a number of years before finally dying out in 1998(?).With family in Piltown Thomas had spent many summers down here and got to know many of the locals. His family being highly involved in Piltown AFC meant Thomas got to know many of the soccer club and even played in the local 7-a-side. Later his younger brother would spend 5 years in Piltown while studying in Waterford Institute of Technology and played for Piltowns 2B/2A sides, playing a large role in our early title wins. With such strong ties between the families and their respective soccer clubs, all involved felt that the game should be rekindled, this time between Piltown AFC and Cootehill Harps. So, since 2000 both Piltown AFC and Cootehill Harps have been making a 300 mile round trip each year to play each other in the Thomas Sherlock Memorial Shield, with the proceeds again going to cancer charity. The game itself has been typically a very light-hearted affair with more focus on having a laugh than serious football. Following the game all are invited back to the local pub of choice for food, drink and various other festivities. Most of the money raised comes from the a ticketed draw that takes place on the night following the game. The prizes are varied and are donated by kindly local people and businesses. Often we also have an auction of items, again donated by local people, that also raises a considerable amount of money. Sometimes we manage, with the help of various local people, to get our hands on signed replica shirts (Spurs, Ireland and Man Utd) which also raise considerable sums of money. In recent years the ammounts raises have increased with each year. 2000 £1300
The BeneficariesFrom the outset we put considerable thought into what we wanted to do with the money raised. Obviously an option would have been to donate the money to an established cancer charity like the Cancer Society of Ireland, or Cancer Research. As it was run and organised by the family and friends of Thomas and supported predominantly by local people we felt that that the best option was to give the money to local causes. So each year a number of special causes are chosen and a sum of money is donated to each. Almost every year money is given to the local Hospice group. However, it is the causes where you can see the impact of all the cajolling and badgering to buy tickets, sell tickets or donate prizes that make it all so worthwhile. In particular we have donated to a number of sick children to bring them to Lourdes or simply on a holiday to give a break from their daily routine, to the bereaved families of children who have lost lengthy battles with cancer and many other worthwhile causes such as these. | ||