TIPPERARY SENIOR HURLING club Portroe have created a brilliant new club jersey to raise awareness for suicide prevention.
The club of Tipperary’s 2010 All-Ireland winning manager Liam Sheedy and current Allstar goalkeeper Darren Gleeson is carrying the logo of suicide prevention service Pieta House.
The new white jerseys were launched recently, incorporating the Pieta House logo to support the ‘Mind our Men’ campaign in conjunction with the Gaelic Players Association.
The shirts made a successful debut last month when Portroe shocked Toomevara in the North Tipperary senior hurling quarter-final, and they are now looking forward to the last 16 of the county championship.
The idea was proposed by the club’s players as a way of raising awareness of the campaign and supporting Pieta House, while wearing the Portroe colours.
Tipperary’s 2010 All-Ireland winner Seamus Hennessy was also present for the launch and the Kilruane MacDonagh’s clubman has blogged superbly on the effects of suicide in the past.
“I would see this as a an extremely progressive and worthwhile initiative undertaken by the Portroe GAA club,” Hennessy told The42.
“Reducing the level of suicide in Ireland, and male suicide especially, requires an ongoing effort to raise awareness to the support organisations available, like Pieta House, and to encourage people to seek help if they are in difficulty.
“I feel this gesture speaks volumes for the character and integrity of the Portroe GAA players to carry a logo which seeks to support Irish people, and Irish men in particular, who may be experiencing a difficult time regarding their mental wellbeing.”
Liam Sheedy was also present and he complimented Hennessy’s “inspirational speech” on launch night.
“He gave an inspirational speech on his own experiences, and spoke about the importance of people knowing that it’s ok not to feel ok,” Sheedy told The42.
“The large ground in attendance were hanging on his every word and he was really impressed by the message the Portroe team is sending out through the ‘Mind our Men’ message on the jersey.
“The club jersey is something we take huge pride in and incorporating the Mind Our Men logo from Pieta House is a fantastic gesture by the players, and one I was delighted to help launch.”
Portroe join the likes of Galway club Tommy Larkins and Sligo club St Mary’s who also wear the ‘Mind Our Men’ logo.
