Bryan Aherne

A Tribute:

After a year-long battle with cancer Bryan passed away this morning in his sleep with his wife Mairead at his side.

As many will know, Bryan held many positions in the club but he will be remembered most for his wonderful personality and kind spirit. Always available to give a kind word of support or a smile and encouragement there was none in the club with a bad word to say about Bryan, except maybe when we were trying to retrieve his deadly forehand boast. He gave special service to the club as a junior coach for over a decade with many juniors owing their love of the game to him and to Mairead. They were a perfect team that provided a safe, welcoming and fun space for the kids to learn and play.

As a player he had lots of success with Highfield, being on multiple league-winning teams. He was also a fixture of the top boxes and a tough opponent for most. No tribute to Bryan could be complete without mentioning his fantastic karaoke skills. His Frank Sinatra impersonation will live in the memories of all who witnessed it.

His friends in highfield loved him dearly and were lucky to have met him. Bryan was a great man taken too soon and he will be sorely missed. (Brendan Lawton)

The many images above bear some testimony to Bryans' involvement in Highfield since he joined. Whether as Club Captain, EMC organiser, fund-raiser extraordinaire, coach of juniors or adults, friend or club-mate, Bryan's comraderie, good humour and patience shone through and his impact on our club has been immence.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

FUNDRAISER:

Marmount provided a great service to Bryan and his family in his final days. Mairéad and some friends will be participating in the 42nd Cork Women's Mini-marathon on Sunday, September 17 and will use it as an opportunity to fund-raise for the hospice. Mairéad was joined by club members Keelin O'Driscoll, Clare Jones, Dympna Reardon, Deirdre McDonnell, Carol O'Sullivan, Jen Jordan-Engles, Rachel Lynch, Catherine Ryan and Caroline Cullen and many others unrelated to squash.

Marymount has been a priceless service to the people of Cork and the surrounding area for many years and this was a great opportunity for Highfield Squash members to honour Bryan's memory in a tangible way. 100% of the money donated went to Marymount as the club covered the PayPal fees.

THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO DONATED - THERE WAS €1,715 RECEIVED THROUGH PAYPAL AND A FURTER €168 ON THE BUCKET ON THE RE-OPENING NIGHT SO A GRAND TOTAL OF €1,883.