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Leaving Cert students at St Colman’s College, Fermoy, l-r: Darragh O’Callaghan, Cian O’Connor and Sean Linehan pictured presenting a cheque for over €1,000 to Liam Cahill, who accepted on behalf of Fermoy MS. The students raised the money through a sponsored headshave. Photo: Ellen Lynch

Three Leaving Cert students from St Colman's College in Fermoy put a broad smile on the face of Glenville man, Liam Cahill, when they presented him with a cheque this week for the local branch of MS.

The lads, Darragh O'Callaghan, Cian O'Connor ad Sean Linehan, raised the money through a sponsored headshave. With plenty of encouragement from their fellow students, they'd had their hair shorn during the interval of the school's talent show, the day they before they broke up for Christmas, December 19. Teacher, John Tobin, wielded the shaver.

The lads organised and began collecting sponsorship just a few days before the event and were delighted with the response they got. The bulk of the €1,128 they collected came from their fellow students, they point out, with staff and others also making donations.

Accepting their cheque at the school on Monday on behalf of Fermoy MS, Liam Cahill said it was great credit to the students. "Fair dues to you" he told the trio. The money they'd raised will be spent on services locally for people living with MS he explained, outlining how it would be of benefit. "It will stay in the community for the good of the community," he assured them.

Liam, who is retired from farming, was diagnosed with MS five years ago. He'd gone to the doctor complaining of numbness in his face. The diagnosis of MS was "an unreal shock." 

"I'm lucky I have a good family who are a great help," he said. Liam is lucky too in that the illness hasn't affected his mobility as yet. In fact he still goes dancing each week with his wife, something he greatly enjoys.

Liam has also, since been diagnosed, organised the annual fundraiser in Kades Kounty in Glenville, a popular event, which has raised thousands of euro and which, of course, includes dancing! He also supports the different functions and events organised in Fermoy to raise funds for the group. He says he has had "unbelievable help and support" from the Fermoy branch of MS since he joined.

Liam continues to be involved with Glenville FC and says it's very important to have something to take his mind of his illness. "You forget you have it," he says. Liam knows Darragh O'Callaghan through the club, where the young student is a player.

"I can't thank Sean, Cian and Darragh enough, they are great lads," he said on Monday after accepting their cheque.

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