

There was a powerful, Castleisland motivating force behind the recent Swing4Cancer fundraising drive through the 32 counties of Ireland by three friends including DJ Geaney. Their efforts have raised €21,000 so far.
The event labelled Three Pink Swingers: DJ Geaney from Castleisland; Michael Sheehan from Glanworth in Cork and Eoin Landers from Cappoquin in Waterford travelled 1,800km over June 19th and 20th to play 32 holes of golf in 32 courses in the 32 counties of Ireland raising over €21,000 so far for Breast Cancer Ireland.
Swing4Cancer finished in style on Saturday evening at 10pm in Castlemartyr Golf Club, Cork after an adventurous idea became reality for the fundraisers.
The three friends organised this event in memory of DJ’s mother, Nora Geaney, who passed away in 2011 after a lengthy battle with breast cancer.
“On the drive from Dungarvan to our last hole in Castlemartyr there was certainly a few nerves knowing it was coming to an end. As we were escorted to the last hole we saw over 60 people walking up the fairway to welcome us home – it was unbelievable! DJ’s dad Paul was the first to make it to the tee box and to see how much it meant to him and the rest of DJ’s family was something special,” said Eoin Landers.
Breast Cancer affects one in 10 Irish women and there are currently 2400 new cases diagnosed annually resulting in 650 deaths. All funds raised from Swing4Cancer will be distributed to designated cancer centres who facilitate the collection of breast cancer patient serum and tissue samples allowing scientists and clinicians to work on a much larger volume of samples, thereby speeding up discovery and ultimately affecting better treatment outcomes for those diagnosed.
“Over the course of the two days we met some truly inspirational characters from those who were battling breast cancer, to people who had lost love ones. Cancer had touched someone at every club we visited – hearing their stories and experiences gave us the energy to keep going,” said Michael Sheehan.
Swing4Cancer donations are still very welcome. To contribute to this worthy cause please click on the link here: www.idonate.ie/swing4cancer
In the context of the huge efforts and exertions of the three boys in her honour and memory, I went back into the files and found a tribute to Nora Geaney which was sent to me by a colleague and friend at the time of her passing. The tribute appeared in The Kerryman of 28-12-2011
The late Nora Geaney Fondly Remembered
I mentioned here in the course of the fall of the year that it has been one of the worst in many a living memory in terms of the passing of people from the Castleisland area through one means or another.
The late Nora Geaney is the latest well-known, local person to be called away and I wouldn’t even have space in my normal allocation to mention half of the others.
There is a wicked irony in that Nora was deeply involved, since its inception, in the local fundraising branch of the Kerry Hospice Foundation. She was to the fore in the organisation and collections during the annual walk on many a bad Good Friday morning here.
Her organisational abilities have been noted by colleagues both in the hospice branch here and in the ladies’ wing of Castleisland Golf Club.
A colleague from both organisations, who worked closely with her over the past decade, sent the following piece in her memory.
“It was with great sadness that Castleisland folk said farewell to a much loved member of the community on December 7th. Nora Geaney (nee O’Leary) originally from Breahig, passed away following a four year illness which she fought courageously and up to the end.
She started her working life in Dicksgrove creamery where she spent a number of years before going to join her husband Paul in his dental surgery in Castleisland.
Nora was an inspiration to all who were lucky enough to know her. She never made a big deal of her illness but instead, over the past four years, she carried on as normal, continuing to be involved in organisations that were a huge part of her life. Nora was a member of the local hospice branch and was secretary for several years before handing over the reins. She was very much involved in organising the Good Friday walk and the September coffee morning.
Nora was also very involved in Castleisland Golf Club and had been secretary of the ladies’ club since the course opened in 2002.
She was a fantastic and dedicated member who willingly took on any job that needed to be done. Respected by all young and old, her caring nature and cheery disposition ensured that new members always received a warm welcome. It was a rare occasion that Nora would have to be asked to do anything as she was always a step ahead with everything. For this reason she was affectionately referred to by her friends and fellow golfers as ‘The Boss’ and just about everything was run by her. It is fair to say that the club house at Castleisland golf course will not be the same without Nora and over the coming months and years her absence will be noted several times over.
Nora was a much loved wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt and a cherished friend; she will be truly missed by all. Thoughts and prayers are with husband Paul, children Deirdre and partner Kevin, Ian and fiancé Susan, D.J., mother Peggy, sisters: Sheila and Margaret, brothers: Andy, Timmy, Denny and Sean and all members of Nora’s family at this time. May she Rest in Peace.”