Published: Wednesday, 8th September, 2010 5:00pm

Shercock citizens shed the pounds

Over 100-stone shed in fundraiser for new GAA club stand

The six overall category winners from the Shercock Slim-A-Ton were Pierce McDermott, Aidan McEvoy, Paddy Farrelly, Brigid Burns, Sharon Farrelly and Louise Lennon.

The citizens of Shercock have a new claim to fame this week. They are the fittest and slimmest community in Ireland, having shed no less than 114 stone during a 12-week slim-a-ton designed to raise funds for a new stand at the local GAA grounds, known as O'Hagan Park on the Kingscourt road.

The monster weigh-in took place in St Patrick's Hall last Saturday morning at 9am and the community spirit and feel-good factor among the scores of participants was really palpable. Strangers in the community a short twelve weeks ago were now friends and many vowed to stick to their new fitness regime.

No less than 104 people of all ages and sizes took part in the slim-a-ton and many new friendships were forged as the pounds melted away on the Olympic-sized running track.

The twelve team leaders were fantastic and had a new programme ready for their team each week and local girl Bernice Lamb from 'Fit to Go' formulated a wonderful programme for all involved.

The team leaders were Francis McPhillips, Jodie Clarke, Sean Clarke, Declan McIntyre, John McEnroe, Gerry Reilly, Joanna Walker, Brendan Browne, Mickey McEntee, Aidan Lennon, Ciaran Lennon and Gerard O'Reilly.

Paddy Farrelly, vice chairman of the Shercock GFC, lost an incredible five stone and two pounds and was thrilled with his progress and was the category one winner. "It has been a fantastic journey and fundraiser and all the money raised is going towards building the new stand."

The work on the stand commenced on Monday morning with local firm Hamco Construction tasked with putting the new structure in place at O'Hagan Park. Brian Hamilton who used to play at midfield for Shercock is the MD of the company.

The chairman of the Shercock club, Pierce McDermott, said the slim-a-ton had been an outstanding success both in terms of the fun factor, enhancing a great community spirit and as an innovative fundraiser.

Another amazing factor was the number of people who joined in the effort who were never involved with the football club. Pierce says they now have a great awareness of the club and how actively it is involved in the community at many levels.

They are confident that the fundraising will realise between €15,000 and €20,000.

The Shercock team captain, Darragh Roe, was disappointed that he is out through injury for the Junior Championship but emphasised there is a massive squad of players there who are fully committed to the cause. Darragh plays in goal and he suspects the kicking out of the ball has not helped the condition of his back.

He also revealed that Jody Clarke's commitment is amazing and he is accompanied by selectors Sean Clarke and Maxie McEntee.

Even despite the recession, the Shercock squad of players has increased this year. Soundly based employment in places like Carton Brothers allows people to live and work in the area and thus buck the trend of some other clubs. It was always his dream to be captain of the team and he considers it an honour.

Sharon Farrelly was delighted when she was informed during the weigh-in at St. Patrick's Hall in Shercock her particular weight loss had just ensured that they had crashed through the 100 stone weight shedding barrier. She had lost nine pounds in the final week and was also thrilled with that result.

Sharon who works in Abbott's in Cootehill smiled when she revealed that they were all off for a big breakfast as a treat for all their efforts.

When The Anglo-Celt approached a group of ladies relaxing with cups of tea after their weigh-ins it became clear that this shedding of the pounds was a family affair in some instances.

Paddy Archibald whose brainchild it was to have a slim-a-ton was delighted with the outcome and the fact that they were shedding stones of weight for blocks in a new stand. Paddy shed just over three stone in weight. "We have made so many new friends and it has really knitted the community together. People I would only have known to say hello to are now sharing the weight problems with me. It has evolved my wildest dreams and today is one of the proudest days of my life."

Francis McDermott revealed that he lost 21lbs over the eleven weeks and his programme including cycling, walking and some physical training in the football field. This was combined with cutting back on all snacks and eating more healthy food. The entire effort was a wonderful way of introducing new people to the area to the existing population and everyone now feels really part of the community.

In these recessionary times people are going back to basics and volunteering and community spirit is becoming more vibrant as a result.

Kathleen Fidgeon explained that she lost ten pounds and enjoyed the buzz along the way. Martina Browne said that her mother Brigid Burns and her daughter Charlene joined her in the weight reduction race and they lost three stone between them. Charlene vowed to stick with the programme and she loved the great community atmosphere it engendered. Brigid was thrilled to have lost one stone and six pounds.

Brendan Farrelly lost three stones and five pounds and was thrilled with his result. He cut down on the alcohol intake, got stuck into the training programme and kept an eye of what he was eating. "It has been a great journey - the team has done well - there were six of my family including my wife involved and we all lost a combined total of 18 stone and twelve pounds."

Louise Lennon lost two stone really embraced the programme and endeavoured to work out four times a week. It was fun being part of a big team and she is going to stick with the programme. Louise works as a receptionist in the Shirley Arms in Carrickmacross and just had a baby six months ago.

Luula Pakar from Estonia has been in Sherock for seven years and works in Carrickmacross loves the nice friendly people in Shercock and lost over a stone in weight.

Category winners

Men: Category one, Paddy Farrelly, lost 72lbs; category two, Pierce McDermott, lost 27.8 lbs; Aidan McEvoy, category three, lost 40lbs.

Ladies: Category one, Sharon Farrelly, shed 40lbs; category two, Louise Lennon, lost 27.2lbs; category three, Brigid Burns, lost 18.4lbs.