U20 COMPETITION LAUNCHED
Despite fuel protests and inclement weather, five of the six teams taking part in the inaugural Ulster U20 championship turned up for the launch in Canavan’s tonight. The competition gets underway on Sunday 19th April with the eventual winner going on to an All-Ireland series. Welcoming the teams to the launch, Ulster Secretary Colm Murray said, “From small acorns grow great sycamores and he hoped that going forward we would have all nine counties involved. Colin also thanked the Jackson family for their donation of the cup for the competition and invited Tom Jackson to say a few words.
Tom congratulated Ulster Council on the setting up of the U20 competition and thanked them for the opportunity to have Karen’s name on the cup. He said his family were both delighted and proud to be associated with the new tournament and wished everyone the of luck.
Karen Jackson died in July 2018 aged just 22. She had been born with a liver condition, but this never stopped her. She was GAA mad and her life revolved around football and her club St. Finbarr’s. She played, attended county board meetings and coached at her club. She followed both Cavan ladies and men teams. In 2018 she received a transplant however she then suffered a haemorrhage which claimed her young life. Her club commissioned a special jersey in Karen’s memory and along with her family actively promote organ donation.
