On the 1st of January, we received the devastating news that our friend and colleague Fiona Lambert had sadly lost her long battle with breast cancer. Her daughters Keelin and Mia, and son Jamie all play in the Club. Fiona was a mentor with our 2007/U15 ladies’ football & camogie teams and was a massive supporter of our Club. Fiona and her husband Darren, along with their pals frequented the Club bar & coffee shop and while she originally played for Clontarf, she had really embraced our Club and ingrained it into her life.
In 2021 Fiona decided that she was going to take on the challenge of raising awareness and funding for Breast Cancer Ireland. Never doing things by half, Fiona kicked off with 30 days of sea swims. She was joined by so many supporters for her swims, that it became very popular mainly through her social media coverage. Random people from all around our communities were contacting her to get involved. Our local County players came out in force to join Fiona, who was even contacted and subsequently joined by comedian PJ Gallagher!
Following the swims, she became an ambassador for Breast Cancer Ireland’s “The Great Pink Run” and while on that journey, she found her way on to breakfast television with “Ireland AM” and a whole bunch of newspapers. Her new celebrity status had no impact on her whatsoever, but it definitely had a huge impact on Breast Cancer Ireland as their message was spread far and wide, not to mention the level of fund-raising Fiona brought to proceedings.
Despite fighting off Breast Cancer for five years, Fiona became very unwell just before Christmas and sadly passed away on New Year’s Day. She was just forty-three years old. Her departure has left such a massive hole in our community. Fiona meant so much to so very many of us, none more so than the camogie and football team she coached. Our deepest sympathies go to Darren, Keelin, Jamie and Mia and to all of her friends, family, fellow mentors and players (who she was crazy about).
Sleep well dearest Fiona.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dílis.
