Fundraiser for Enniscorthy boy who is set to undergo treatment for cancer in Germany is a great succes

A fundraising soccer tournament organised recently by two members of the Travelling community in support of a young boy from Enniscorthy who is receiving treatment for a brain tumour was a fantastic success.

The tournament was organised by Paddy Connors and ‘Big’ Paddy Connors and took place at Cloughbawn AFC’s grounds near Clonroche.

Paddy Connors said the aim was to raise around €2,000, however, such was the success of the event that the tournament raised an incredible €6,205.

It was organised in support of Noah Lambert (7), from Daphne View, Enniscorthy, who will be travelling to Essen, in Germany, later this month for state-of-the-art radium therapy as he begins what is likely to be a long road to recovery. Noah was in attendance at the tournament and was delighted to see the teams in action.

Paddy Connors said the support the tournament received from both within and outside the Travelling community was fantastic.

In particular he praised Cloughbawn AFC for the use of the club grounds and acknowledged other ways the club gave support to the event.

"The club provided tea and coffee for the participants," said Paddy, who also acknowledged Jim and James Redmond from the club for their support and in particular for organising medals and a cup for the winners.

"The club provided ball and bibs and were a big part of it,” said Paddy.

While most of the money was raised on the day itself, he said a number of people also went around raising money in the days leading up to the tournament and in particular acknowledged Johnny ‘Carter’ Connors, from Drumgoold, in Enniscorthy, for raising €1,080 on his own.

He also praised the work of Johnny Connors (9) and his cousins, Kitty (9) and Margaret (12), for raising €500 between them. They got great support from O’Brien’s Inn, in Glenbrien, who let them collect money during a bingo session.

“’Big’ Paddy was in New Ross and he got a great response there and everyone was very supportive,” said Paddy.

He said that while the Connors’ families were very appreciative of the support given to the tournament, the Lambert family were also very pleased with the success of the fundraiser.

Such was the level of interest in the event and the eagerness for people to help that people from as far away as Monaghan and Waterford gave it their support.

“We received support from all over the county which was great," said Paddy.

The tournament itself was very exciting with some great games played with members of the Lambert family involved in the Clonroche team. Noah's father, Vinnie is from Clonroche, while his mum, Jackie, is from Enniscorthy.

The final was contested between teams representing Adamstown and Cloughbawn with the game ending on a 3-3 scoreline.

The game went to penalties with the Adamstown emerging victorious on a 3-2 scoreline.

The two organisers of the tournament are no strangers to raising money for good causes and on March 18, they will be holding a head-shaving event in the Millennium Bar in Davidstown in support of Hope & Dream 10.

In addition to raising the money for Noah they also raised €1,800 for Ukraine shortly after the Russian invasion of the country and they also raised €4,700 for a special needs school.

With regard to their latest fundraiser, Paddy Connors said he and ‘Big’ Paddy were just happy for the Lambert family that it was a success.

"They were really happy with how it went and that’s what's important,” said Paddy.

"Hopefully, the money will do some good and help Noah in his recovery,” he added.