Memorial trust fund for McAnallen

The Tyrone County Board are in the final stages of setting up a Cormac McAnallen memorial trust fund. Money raised will ensure all GAA clubs in the county receive a defibrillator along with training in how to use the resuscitation device.

The plan is not confined to the GAA with the whole sporting community set to benefit. The two main rugby clubs in Tyrone, Dungannon and Omagh, and soccer clubs, Omagh Town and Dungannon Swifts, are also to get access to defibrillators.

Sudden Death Syndrome became part of the Irish sporting consciousness this year with the passing of Cormac McAnallen and Royal School Armagh rugby international John McCall.

The former Tyrone football captain's fatality occurred at home, while McCall died playing for Ireland at the under-19 World Cup in Durban, South Africa, when a defibrillator was present. However, the move is seen as the best way the community can combat such an occurrence happening in the future.

"This is the most positive and practical way we can commemorate Cormac McAnallen," said Tyrone PRO Brendan Harkin. "There are as many as 50 GAA clubs in the county but the plan is also for everybody in the community to benefit. If we prevented one such fatality down the line it would be worthwhile."

The fund-raising is being done independently of government financial aid: "We have the capacity to raise the money and are not dependent on funding from independent bodies. However, if the health board or anyone else can come in that would be a bonus," added Harkin.

The trust fund has three main intentions: the defibrillator scheme, to promote well-being in the community, a bursary to support students studying the Irish language in third-level institutions, and the setting-up of a summer school in the Brantry area of Tyrone, where the McAnallen family hails from. Also, active screening and family history research are considered essential components in assisting prevention of Sudden Death Syndrome.

It is hoped to generate £75,000 from a range of fund-raising activities, including a gala dinner in February. In fact, it has already begun with the school McAnallen used to teach at, St Catherine's in Armagh, and the Tyrone football panel actively involved.

The McAnallen family fully support the development. A family member will be named on the board of trustees.