TRAGIC NEWS : Please Read

David Jones

I just thought I would fill you in on a recent tragedy that has befallen one of Next Generations most promising new students.

Joe Cunnane started training in March of this year and has been progressing incredibly well in both his ground game and stand up. Joe started training at 96kg+ and is now 85kg thereabouts, evidence of the amount of effort he has put in to cardio and training in general. At Colm's NSC event he took silver in the -92kg novice division which really motivated him to keep training. Anyway thats the background.

Joe's girlfriend had a baby 10 days ago and on Monday night last called him to come home from work as she wasnt feeling well. Joe arrived home to find his girlfriend on the couch, feeling nauseous and complaining of a headache. He got his dad down to mind the kids and carried his wife to the car. Basically, she passed away right there in his arms and even though its only a 3 min drive to the hospital,there was nothing they could do to resuscitate her. Joe is 32, with a new baby plus 3 other kids under the age of 9. Mick loughlin also of NG who has been helping out since this tragedy, called me on Tuesday morning (I have been in Uk) to let me know and also was there when Joe had to tell the two older children their mam wasnt coming home again.

Im literally home this morning from the UK so I just wanted to fill everyone in. Now the removal is tonight 6pm from O donovans funeral home to the church near Loughlinstown Leisure centre and funeral mass 2 moro at 10am.

Saturdays competition will proceed with the same charity as the beneficiary of the event. However as a kick start to a couple of things NG will try to run in the next little while, to help Joe in whatever way we can, table quiz, etc I will have my entire fight DVD collection for sale at the event. Loads of Prides, UFCs, ADCC, IVCs, KOTC's etc. €5 for a single disc, €8 for a double disc, €3 for a vhs. All above watched maybe once or twice. If you already have a copy, you might know someone who hasnt.All proceeds of this will go to Joe, initially so he can take his kids out for a day maybe to take their minds of things, or whatever he wishes to do with it. I will run a couple of events in the future, probably a table quiz etc to raise a bit of cash for Joe and his kids and if anyone has any ideas I would love to hear them, talk to me on Saturday or text, call or email me.

Obviously neither Joe nor Mick will be around on Saturday, so that means NG are missing a couple more guys. I have ttt the previous posts so if you check those you can work out what we need. You dont have to be even an open weight or +92 to compete. If you are willing to take part and help us out, please do so.

Finally I would like to extend my deepest sympathy and everyones at NG to Joe and his family. I will hopefully see you all on Saturday.
If you could TTT this post so everyone gets a chance to see it.

Thanks David Jones

Colm_OReilly

If there's anything I can do to help let me know. I'll bring a few vids and DVDs along to donate to the sale.

yomchi

Jesus, thats terrible news. Like wise if there's anything that can be done, let us know.

goo

That's horrible news, best of luck with everything.

dlofnep

Really sad turn of events. Poor fella.

Ger Healy

Terrible news my prayers are with Joe and his family

FiannaGym.com

Tragic news, I'm very sorry to hear it. If I can help let me know.

Peace

Dragan

Man, thats a terrible thing to have to face. My thoughts to Joe and his children.

waterford mma

terrible news. very sorry to hear

LukeyJudo22

Deepest sympathies to Joe and his family.

john kavanagh

devasting, so sorry for him

i would be more than happy to do a seminar/workshop with proceeds going to this cause if you think it would help?

kerinsp

That is really awful. I hope he can get through this ok.

fatal

damn what a tragic tale.....rip to his girlfriend

weemate

Dave pass our deepest sympathy and prayers to Joe and the family.We would like to do something to help.I will email you later with some ideas.

LAAngel

Oh god thats so sad, my thoughts go out to him and his family.

MaeveD

That's awful, the poor guy!

I lost a good friend last year very suddenly... it was a terrible shock

RealJohn

Thoughts and prayers to Joe and his family and friends.

TapouT

If there's any club collecting or willing to take donations for the family please let me know.

David Jones

Thanks for all your kind words guys.

A HUGE Thank You to all who came along and competed and supported the charity event today. To Ruth and the lads from Galway and Limerick, to Luke and the Coolmine crew, JK and 2 teams from SBG, Colms Two King crew, my guys from Next Generation and the extra guys like John Collins, John Murphy and Mark Hamill,(who popped up on more than one team!) If I left anyone out I apologise and thanks to you. Thanks also to all those who purchased DVDs or who just made a donation.

1st place SBG TEAM 1
2nd Place Next Generation TEAM 1
3rd Place TEAM "Made up on the Day"


You all raised 400euro for the gatoto primary school in Kenya and thanks to SBG's winning team for donating 150 euro of the prize money, you raised 575euro for Joe Cunnane and his family. I didnt want it to be to widely known, but Joe turned up today, with his two little girls and his son. Im sure he wanted to get out of the house, but more than that he is so passionate about this sport he still wanted to show his face after everything he has been through this week.

I think possibly a table quiz and a John Kavanagh Seminar to be announced will be a couple of future fundraisers for Joe. If anyone has any other ideas, please let me know. A playstation UFC / PRIDE competition was also suggested. :-)

Anyway, you have no idea what a huge difference you all made today, and I thank you sincerely for all your generosity and hope you had as much fun as I did today.

Hopefully see you all at Ring of Truth on the 29th.

Sniper.