Kildare GAA club remembers one of its own on the Reek
The late Frank Dowling from Robertstown.
MEMBERS of a Kildare GAA club are to climb Croagh Patrick in March in memory of a clubmate who died last year.
Up to 40 members of Robertstown GFC will take on this arduous trek in inclement climes to remember Frank Dowling who died of a brain tumour last April and they already have 90 per cent of their GoFundMe target of €5.000 achieved.
“It is truthful to say the news still feels surreal months after Frank has left us,” said club PRO Ciaran Burns.
“Writing at the time, the feeling was that the community, and particularly Robertstown GFC, had lost its favourite son. That feeling is still there,” said Ciaran.
“On the 7th of April 2024, the sad news spread wide and far of the untimely, and deeply upsetting, passing away of Frank Dowling after a brave battle with a brain tumour.
“His legacy is entrenched in the spirit of the place, in Maurice Musgrave Park, in the hearts of the young people who pull on a jersey with a Robertstown crest and feel a depth of pride.
“Whether as the colossus of a player, a committee member, an underage coach, a senior mentor, or simply as that ever present voice and smile, you could be sure to see about the place, Frank Dowling lived and breathed Robertstown GFC.
“His presence is felt because he gave his life to the club, and that never leaves, that legacy guaranteed, forever.
“So, there is a group from the club, maybe 30-40, climbing Croagh Patrick on 21 March in aid of Brain Tumour Ireland,” he said.
We are raising money for Brain Tumour Ireland and hope to get past the €5k target we have set so if there was anything you could do that would be greatly appreciated to help,” he appealed.
to this cause that means so much to us and all of Frank's family and friends.
“Frank was a fitness fanatic, a powerful athlete, so we think it is fitting to pay tribute by taking on a challenge he would have relished, front and centre ready to go. We want to carry this spirit. He will never be replicated, repeated or replaced," he concluded.
