by Louise Doyle
A POIGNANT football match which saw friends of the late Newtowncunningham peacekeeper Seán Rooney take on a strong army select team on the football pitch has raised more than €20,000 for bereaved children.
The Seán Rooney Memorial Cup 2023 event on Saturday last in Oriel Park has raised €21,077.82 for Rainbows Ireland.
The voluntary service helps children and young people experiencing loss following bereavement and parental separation.
The football match took place a day before Private Rooney’s family, friends and comrades lined his graveside for a wreath laying ceremony at the Church of All Saints in Newtowncunningham on Sunday ahead of the first anniversary of his killing.
Private Rooney, a UN peacekeeper, was killed while on a mission in Lebanon on December 14, 2022.
Pte Rooney was in an armoured vehicle that came under fire while travelling to Beirut on 14 December, 2022.
A spokesperson for the Seán Rooney Memorial Cup said: “We are absolutely over the moon to announce that we have raised over €20,000 for Rainbows Ireland.
“When we initially came up with the idea, we set a target of €5,000. To make four times that, we are absolutely thrilled.
“We cannot emphasis enough how grateful we are to all the businesses/individuals who donated spot prizes, donated cash prizes, donated to the event and bought pages in the match day programme.
“A massive thank you to all.
“We would also like to thank everyone who purchased Seán Rooney gear from playrfit, who purchased tickets to the event, who bought lines and who donated to the Go Fund Me.
“This event has been a huge success and we are thankful to each and every person who contributed to the event.
“This event fell before a tough week, with the mass taking place and the year anniversary.”
The spokesperson said Pte Rooney is “missed every minute of every day”.
“We would like to say a big thank you to everyone who came out to Oriel Park on Saturday, especially in those conditions, to show support for the event.
“It was a great day from start to finish in memory of the one and only, Seán Rooney.
“Congratulations to the Army Select team who won the match on
the day, a game played in great spirits.
“We look forward to next year’s battle already, all in memory of Seán.”
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