‘It's still tough' – Paudi Clifford dedicating Hurling For Cancer charity game to late mum following her untimely death

The Irish Sun

8 hours ago

A former Irish boxer opened up on his wife's journey with cancer
TOUGH TIMES 'It's still tough' – Paudi Clifford dedicating Hurling For Cancer charity game to late mum following her untimely death
PAUDIE CLIFFORD dedicated his involvement in the Hurling For Cancer charity game to his late mum.
The older Clifford brother will be part of the star-studded charity game on August 18, in aid of the Irish Cancer Society.
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Paudie Clifford is once again involved in Hurling For Cancer
Credit: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
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He dedicated his involvement to his late mum Ellen
Credit: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
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It comes two years after he and legendary brother David were in mourning when their mum Ellen died from cancer.
Her passing came a day before her two sons inspired Kerry to victory in the Munster football final.
And it is in her memory that Paudie is playing his part in Hurling For Cancer.
He told Balls.ie: "It's very important to us.
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"Obviously, it was very tough for all of us. It still is very tough.
"To see Davy Russell and Jim and Úna Bolger all doing so much work for the cause to raise awareness and maybe help another family in the future, or loads of families in the future is massive.
"Obviously, it's a hard thing to go through, losing your mam when you admire her so much.
"It's great to see so many people putting their shoulder to the wheel and doing so much to help this cause and to help families around Ireland.
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"It's massive."
Clifford will be one of a host of big names from within and without GAA who will do their part on Monday.
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One of those - Bernard Dunne - revealed he found out his wife was diagnosed with cancer a day after he returned from the 2021 Olympics.
The former IABA High Performance Director was with Team Ireland in Tokyo as Kellie Harrington won the first of her two gold medals.
When he got home, however, the Dubliner got the shock news that his wife Pamela had been diagnosed with the condition but is, thankfully, "fabulous now".
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He said: 'I don't think there's a family in the country, possibly in the world, that has not been impacted by the dreaded C-word.
'We've had it in my family with my wife. I found out the day I came home from the Olympic Games.
"It was aggressive but thankfully she is fabulous now and we enjoy and appreciate every day.
'We need to face everything in life with positivity and the right mindset and that is what this event is all about.
"It's a real family day, really sociable and great fun.
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"The goodwill, effort and support this gets from everyone across the country, I've honestly never seen anything like it.
'Whatever you can do or give on the night is all that's important.
"I'm a fighter, not a hurler, so I helped out as an umpire last year.
"I think the lads were aiming at me, not the posts!'