An emotional Gerard Melaugh dedicated Red Hughs’ Junior A Championship win to the memories of his son, Caolan, and Red Hughs stalwart Hughie Gillespie.
Melaugh scored two points as Red Hughs overcame Urris in the Junior final.
The Red Hughs captain paid a heart-felt tribute to his 2-year-old son Caolan, who died in June 2017. Little Caolan Melaugh had battled with stage 4 high-risk neuroblastoma, a rare and aggressive childhood cancer, since he was just 10 weeks old.
“This means everything,” Melaugh said.
“It means the world. I made a promise to my son that I’d win a Championship for him. I can’t thank these lads enough.
Caolan Melaugh
“I’ve been in dark places. These boys have picked me up and shown support to me all year.”
Gillespie, who was manager when Red Hughs last won the Junior title in 1981, passed away past December.
Melaugh and company lost finals in 2003, 2014 and 2017.
But they roared to victory, spurred on by James Carlin’s four goals.
He said: “That was passion there. Too many times. Something had to change. It was honesty and work rate all year. This was the first year we deserved a Championship.
“They monkey’s off our back now and we can go and enjoy football again.”
Listen to the full interview below …
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