Marius McHugh
Castlederg GFC Memories
I remember the day I broke my leg in San Francisco Park
As I lay there on the ground the memories I took a journey back
I thought about the days gone by in the fields of West Tyrone
When I wore the Castlederg jersey, sure it,s not that long ago
It all started off for me when I was under 12
And in every team down through the year, minor senior and reserve
Didn’t mind if we won or lost or played in rain or snow
As long as it was a Derg team there was bound to be a show.
I thought about the sixties when men like my dad John McHugh got it going down in Urney
There was Jackie Lynch and Pat O’ Loughlin too
And boys like Seamus Harvey and Leslie and Malaoisa McHugh
Not forgetting Patsy Doherty and all the Spamount Crew
The mid seventies saw it going again
When Gallagher, Stokes and McLaughlin were to the fore
And RJ Catterson and Christopher Sharkey sure they are all part of the Derg folklore
When the Derg played at Kilcroagh or St Eugenes they were always a good bet
And I hear Joe Leonard’s over forty now but by God he’s playing yet
The eighties started off well, we went up to Division 2
Harry Brennan was the Tyrone team minor manager
And for the Derg things were looking good
We had Paddy Glackin, Baffo and Barber
They were boys who could drink their sup
Do you mind the summer of 85 boys
When we lifted the Lynch memorial cup
And what about our County men, a lot of names spring to mind
Charlie, Colm , Bail, Francie and Barney, Pat Lynch and Stevie Devine
And John I know the All Ireland is your one and true desire
I hope I’m with you in Croke Park when you lift the Sam Maguire
So BOYS get out to training
Next season’s not far away
Keep the Derg flag flying
I’m with you all the way
For as I lie here in my hospital bed
And I dream of walking out in the sun
I hope I’m there the day boys when you reach Division 1
Marius McHugh
Marius McHugh
Marius McHugh, son of John and Katie McHugh of Castlefin Road Castlederg tragically passed away in the last days of 1989, still only in his early twenties. Marius was an enthusiastic playing member of our club right up until he left for San Francisco in 1986. Not long after arriving there he broke a leg during a game, and in the ensuing medical examination a cancerous tumour was discovered on his knee. Amputation and intensive treatment followed over the next three years but Marius, after a brave and dignified fight against the disease, finally lost his battle on St. Stephen’s Day 1989.
In the weeks and months leading up to his untimely death Marius outlined his hopes and dreams for a permanent home for his beloved GAA Club to his cousin Maoliosa McHugh. It is testament to the selfless nature of this outstanding young Gael that, facing his serious and final illness, he managed to focus on an unfulfilled dream and ensure, through an unparalleled act of generosity, that a significant building block for a new, permanent home for GAA activities was put in place.
In recognition of his unrivalled generosity of spirit, his love of his club and of his native place and people, the Club Committee unanimously decided in 2006 to name the new Club grounds Marius McHugh Memorial Park.
3/10/1986
Marius McHugh came to the city of San Francisco in search of a brighter future than his homeland of Northern Ireland could offer him. A twenty-one year old machinist from the town of Castlederg in the upper north western tip of Ireland. Marius is now facing what he considers to be the greatest challenge of life.
McHugh came to the United States in late March of 1986 on a visa. While living with his two brothers, he worked for a moving company and did some carpentry while he looked for full-time employment. In his free time, McHugh played Irish football for "Sean McDermott's Gaelic Football Team." The squad recently won the Gaelic Football National Championship in Philadelphia, as Marius lay on an operating table at Presbyterian Hospital in San Francisco. It was while playing football in Golden Gate Park weeks earlier that McHugh broke his leg. What appeared to be a simple fracture turned out to be far more serious.
"After they X-rayed the left leg at St. Mary's Hospital, they discovered a cancerous tumour in my knee. They told me that without surgery to remove the leg, I wouldn't last very long. The only real solution for survival was the surgery, so I took it," McHugh recalls
Marius was moved to Presbyterian Hospital where doctors amputated his left leg at the hip. The surgery was only beginning of the long road toward overcoming the damage of cancer. McHugh must now endure regular physical therapy and chemotherapy for the next year.
"I must learn how to walk again. It’s just amazing how much energy you have to use just to get around. I have always been active I will swim and learn to move about and get my body back in shape."
"I will undergo a year of chemotherapy. Even after the treatment, there is no guarantee that I will recover. The doctor tells me there is a five year period in which the cancer could return."
McHugh left the hospital on Tuesday, September 30, after an eight week stay to return home with his brothers. His visa was renewed and he wants to begin his therapy as soon as possible.
Such surgery, the ling hospital stay and post-operative therapy is costly, sometimes as much as a quarter of a million dollars. Doctors have tried to keep costs down, but Marius and his brothers were just getting by before the accident. With no insurance, their situation seemed worse. The plight of the McHugh’s was brought to the attention of Jesse M. Montalvo, head of the Knights of Columbus chapter at the University of San Franciso. The Knights, a catholic men fraternal organization which serves the communities they live in, have taken up Marius' cause trying to raise money to help defray the costs of his care.
"We are going to hold a boat dance," Montalvo told the foghorn, " a quarter of the profits of which will go to Marius. We are hoping that we can give him $1000."
Montalvo feels that since the purpose of the Knights is to serve the community, the dance to be held on October 17 will be a good fundraiser for those in need.
"We would like to make the Santa Maria Boat Dance an annual event. Each year, the profits would go to one particular person in need of assistance, like Marius McHugh."
Other events to raise money to help McHugh are in the works. Local Irish groups have already begun raising money for the youth.
"I am really overwhelmed by the community's generosity. I am truly grateful. The doctors have been wonderful and I thank everyone that has tried to help Me." said McHugh.
Through it all, Marius has been extremely positive. " I want to stay here (San Francisco) as long as I can. My brothers are here and there are more opportunities for the handicapped here than in Ireland. I'm looking forward to the challenge that this year holds for me."
8/12/1987
A story of courage from the U.S.
A fund established only recently to raise much needed funds for a 21 year old Castlederg amputee, is receiving support of people throughout West Tyrone and in the U.S.
It is almost a year now since Mr Marius McHugh, an avid Gaelic footballer and all sports fanatic, packed his bags and decided to head across the Atlantic to meet up with his two older brothers in San Francisco in search of work.
After settling in there, it was not long before he became involved with the local GAA club and began playing football for the Sean McDermott team.
However, tragedy struck Marius, the youngest of a family of eleven, while playing in a game in San Francisco Park on August 3rd.
He broke his leg, the break being between the knee and the hip.
But the problem proved even more serious. After examination in hospital, it was discovered that Marius had developed a malignant tumour in his right knee, diagnosed as Osteogenetic Sarcoma – the same cancer the son of prominent U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy had.
Chemotherapy commenced Marius in the Pacific Presbyterian centre in San Francisco, and even though the knowledge that he had developed cancer was a tragic blow to such an athletic boy, Marius kept in good spirit, his two brothers proving a tower of strength and his family back home in Castlederg keeping in touch by telephone throughout his period of treatment.
It was decided however, in the latter end of August to amputate the leg, the operation taking place on 16th September
Less than a month later, Marius was discharged from the hospital having learned to walk on crutches, and no further cancer was detected. His chemotherapy must continue every three weeks and he is also currently practising with a temporary artificial leg but will not have the permanent one until all the treatment ends by April or May next.
Marius, a past pupil of St. Patrick's School, Castlederg, the Christian Brother's School, Omagh and St. Eugene’s High School, Castlederg has been receiving tremendous support from people in San Francisco both from natives and those of Irish Descent, many of whom are from the North-West area of Tyrone.
And the people of Castlederg and surrounding areas have also proved very supportive in many functions which have been organised to raise badly needed funds to help Marius through the treatment. For that the McHugh family has been extremely grateful as is Maris who just recently sent a touching letter to his colleagues in Castlederg Gaelic Football Club which was read out at their annual dinner dance. The final paragraph of his letter illustrates perfectly his unquenchable spirit, despite his ailment:
"So boys keep on training next season's not far away. Keep the Derg flag flying, I'm with you all the way. For as I lie here in my hospital bed and I dream of walking out in the sun, I hope I’m there the day boys when you reach Division One" The Marius McHugh Fund will benefit further when, tomorrow night (Friday), a ceili will be held in St. Patrick’s Hall. The event has been organised by Pat Carlin and Hugo McLaughlin and a large crowd is expected.