A SLIGO GAA club has launched an appeal to find its mascot, stolen from its spot at a crossroads in the village last week.
Ten time championship winners Tourlestrane, from Rhue in County Sligo, are currently looking for the wooden mascot that went missing last Saturday.
Therese Walsh told thescore.ie of the significance of the carving, made three years ago by a recently bereaved family in the town.
“It was made from wood over three years ago by The Brennan Family,” club secretary Walsh revealed.
“It is of extreme sentimental value to them as Martin, their Dad, helped make it and he died suddenly last year from a heart attack, rocking our whole community. Even more sadly, the mascot disappeared on Martin’s first anniversary.
“Martin was very involved in our club – he was an officer at the club for many years and was pivotal in the hurling side of things – and the No 9 on the jersey was to signify the number of championships won by Tourlestrane. This will need to be updated as we recently secured our tenth Sligo championship before going out at the semi-final stage in Connacht.
“The ‘man’ was put out every summer at the start of May and has lived happily at the bottom of the stop sign at Rhue crossroads, guiding us to three finals in a row since it was made.
“We are desperate to get it back to the Brennan Family as they are very upset at its disappearance.”
