Jack Kavanagh Trust
Ruck on up to Donnybrook
Leinster schools rugby players tog out for Jack Kavanagh Trust
Contact: General enquiries: Derville Stacey 0868158879 dervstacey@gmail.com
Media: Mairead Mason 0878276897
WHAT: Jesuit Schools vs Spiritan (Holy Ghost) Schools Rugby Match sponsored by Lifestyle Sports, Spin
103.8 and Davy Stockbrokers. Supported by Leinster Rugby.
WHEN: 6.30 pm Thursday 20th March 2014
WHERE: Donnybrook Stadium under lights.
WHO: Combined Senior Team from Clongowes Wood College, Belvedere College and Gonzaga
College Vs Combined Blackrock College, St. Michael’s College, St. Mary’s College & Templeogue
College Team.
WHAT ELSE: Many Leinster and Irish Players (past pupils of the participating schools) will attend including Rob and David Kearney, Jordi Murphy, Ian Madigan, Leo Cullen, Jack McGrath, Luke Fitzgerald, Brendan Macken and Shane Jennings. Alain Rolland will referee.
TICKETS: Ground entry €10, Stand ticket €25, Premium ticket €70 to include stand entry and a pre-match lunch in Old Belvedere. A limited number of family tickets are available for €60 to admit two adults and two children to the stand.
Tickets are available from participating schools, Life Style Sports outlets at Donnybrook, Dundrum, Mary Street and Carrickmines and on Ticketmaster.
Jack Kavanagh is a 21 year old Dunshaughlin man and Trinity student who, in August 2012, broke his neck as he dived into a wave while on holiday. He has a C5 spinal injury which means that he is paralysed from the chest down and can move his arms and wrists, but not his hands or fingers.
He was in the Mater Hospital and the NRH in Dun Laoghaire for almost eight months. In NRH Jack was told he would never walk again but in his own words “What have I got to lose in trying?” He was also told it would be very difficult to go back to college but last September he returned to Trinity to do 2nd year pharmacy.
In Trinity Jack is in specially adapted rooms near the front square. He has a personal assistant during the day who supports him in his attendance at college activities. He also has a carer who looks after his needs in the evening and through the night. His lecture schedule, designed to enable him complete 2nd Year Pharmacy over a two year period, allows him go home on Thursday evenings most weeks, returning on Sunday nights.
In a game that will resonate greatly with Ross O’Carroll-Kelly fans, rivals will combine to form two Barbarian’s-like teams. A similar match was played in 2004 in aid of another spinal injury victim. Rob Kearney, Johnny Sexton and Kevin McLoughlin each played that day. Will this match also showcase some of our future Internationals?? An organising committee has come together to ensure that the ground is filled to its 6,500 capacity and that the spectators have an enjoyable and memorable experience. All proceeds will go to the Jack Kavanagh Trust.
The Trust was established to create a fund to enable Jack complete his studies and to get all the care, equipment and support that he will need to reach his potential.
http://www.jackkavanaghtrust.com/
https://www.facebook.com/SupportForJackKavanagh
Jack uses Facebook to keep his supporters up to date with his progress. He has over 9,500 supporters engaging with the page.
