Fathers' Day Run raises over €16K in memory of Jim Smith

The family of the late Seamus 'Jim' Smith say they're hugely thankful to all who supported the recent Lavey Ladies GAA 'Fathers' Day Run', held in memory of the popular publican and loyal clubman.

Last week his wife Marian and members of the Smith and Lynch families presented the proceeds, totalling €16,317, raised by the annual event, which took place last month (June 21).

With it they also thanked hospital staff, in particular those in the hospital's respiratory department, for the kindness and care they showed Seamus in the three years since he was first diagnosed with fibrosis of the lungs.

Due to Covid restrictions, the 2020 fun run was completed by participants from their own homes.

Such is its popularity, and the high regard in which Seamus was held, the event attracted participants from clubs and parishes across Cavan, Ireland, and the world.

Jahobi Brady, a former Lavey Ladies club manager, walked in memory of Seamus from Mountnugent clubrooms to Lavey pitch; while multi-marathon runner and lung-transplantee David Crosby completed the required 5km near his home in Kingscourt.

There were plenty of messages of support too, from Stephen Smith, a double lung transplant recipient, and from Cavan woman Niamh Meehan, who lives with Cystic Fibrosis. Both, like Seamus, have attended as patients at the Respiratory Department at Cavan General.

Idiopathic (meaning unknown cause) pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), which Seamus had, is a progressive disease that causes scarring of the lungs. Symptoms can be managed, but there is no cure.

Prior to Seamus' untimely passing on Saturday, May 2, he had spent several weeks in hospital before returning home where he passed away peacefully in the tender loving care of his family.

His daughter Caitríona, who plays in the forward line with Lavey Ladies LGFA, says the Smith and Lynch families were overwhelmed by the generosity of those who took part.

Seamus played a key role in helping revive the then faltering Lavey Ladies club back around 1993, and was involved in various capacities down through the years.

He was involved in the Lavey GFC men's club also.

Caitríona thanked the kind Lavey GAA members for remembering her father's legacy in such a way. “It was brilliant. We didn't expect it at all, but then there were some huge donations from everywhere. It's a great amount of money and hopefully it will do some good.”

Marian, who also walked the distance in memory of her late husband, says Seamus bore his illness with dignity and typical good humour. It didn't slow Seamus either- he still attended Breffni Park for the football matches, and was involved in helping host the Lavey Bingo too.

“He was very much involved with the club, and working in the community,” remembers Marian. “From underage up, he worked with kids from national school as well.”

Understandably too, a doting Seamus took no greater pride that in seeing his own offspring, and his grandchildren too, tog out and take up sport. “Very much, yes,” says Marian.

A lasting image many will hold fondly of the late Seamus, Marian accepts, is her husband holding court “arguing” over football behind the polished counter of 'The Top of the Town' pub. “That's for sure! It was a football pub and he was a football man.

“It was nice of [Lavey GAA] to remember him that way. He had good friends through football, far and near, Breffni Park, you name it. The same people called all the time to see him. Whether it was Donegal or Tyrone, whereever.”

Seamus is survived by wife Marian, adored father of Martin, Orládh, Darren and Caitríona. He will be sadly missed by his daughters-in-law Jennifer and Anita, son-in-law Casement and his beloved grandchildren Oisín, Killian, Ailbe, Sadhbh, James and Darragh, his brother Ultan, sisters Connie, Sue, Pauline, Geraldine and Norine, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, extended family, neighbours and friends.

Seamus' family thanked Professor James Hayes, the staff of the Respiratory Team & Medical One Ward and the Palliative Care Team in Cavan General Hospital for their care and dedication.