*Photograph: David Crimmins
AN EAST CLARE tractor run is to raise funds to aid the ongoing of a young Scariff man who was involved in a road accident last year.
On August 10th, Eoin O’Grady had been to airlifted to the Mater Hospital after the tractor he was driving overturned at Knockaveen, off the main R461 Scariff to Feakle road. The tractor he was driving at the time was the only vehicle involved in the incident.
Eoin suffered serious spinal injuries in the accident and remained in the Mater Hospital until the first week of December. He is currently at the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dun Laoghaire.
A pivotal member of the Scariff senior hurling team, Eoin has won medals at underage with the club while also lining out with county development squads at U14, U16, U18 and U20 level.
Level of support for Eoin, his parents Michael and Ann of Ballycorban and his siblings Lisa and Colin has remained constant since the accident and is expected to be very evident this weekend.
All funds raised from this weekend’s Killanena Tractor Run will be donated to the O’Grady family to aid with the ongoing costs of the medical care. Registration for the road run will begin at 11:30am with departure at 12:30pm on Sunday from Canny’s Bar with drivers following a scenic route across Lough Graney.
Martin Canny who has been involved in all eight tractor runs in Killanena told The Clare Echo there will be an auction on the day with “very generous spot prizes” including signed rugby memorabilia from Irish rugby player Gary Ringrose. “They are done for good causes, it’s not for the money, it’s for the great community support,” he said.
Up to 300 vehicles between trucks, tractors and motorbikes are expected to descend on North-East Clare this Sunday for the run. Persons not driving are encouraged to visit Killanena and donate to the many buckets that will be with committee members.
“He is a very determined and positive guy,” Martin said of Eoin as he expressed hope for widespread support for the fundraiser.
