Latest news with #Derry-born
Sunday World
24-05-2025
- Health
- Sunday World
Feargal Sharkey on being diagnosed with prostate cancer after sore throat complaints
'DOING WELL' | The Derry-born singer (66), who said the issue was resolved last year, revealed he is now doing 'very well' as he urged other men to get tested. The Derry-born singer (66), who said the issue was resolved last year, revealed he is now doing 'very well' as he urged other men to get tested. Had he not visited his GP, Sharkey believes there may have been 'a very different ending and a very different outcome to my life'. Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men in Northern Ireland. Over 1,200 males here are diagnosed with the disease every year, and around 290 die from it. It usually develops slowly, so there may be no signs of it for many years. Most cases develop in men aged 50 or older. Sharkey, who grew up during the Troubles and is now a high-profile environmental campaigner, spoke out about his diagnosis in an interview with the Daily Express. He said: 'About a year and a half ago, I randomly went to see my GP with a sore throat. Now I've known him long enough but he goes, 'No no, you're that bloke that used to sing. So if you're telling me you've got a sore throat, there's something going on'. 'So my doctor, being the beautiful, wonderful, awkward, cantankerous old man that he is, went, 'Oh Feargal, by the way, you're 65 now, I'm going to run the full battery of tests'. 'Two days later, it turns out, I began a journey which led to the [diagnosis] of prostate cancer. 'Thankfully, that's all now been resolved a year ago. But here we are, had it not been for that random visit to my local GP, I would never have known that I was at that point carrying prostate cancer, and if it had not been seen to, it could have been a very different ending and a very different outcome to my life. 'The reason I'm very happy to talk about it is because if there's one man out there over the age of 45 go and see your GP. Go and get the blood test done.' Sharkey was the lead vocalist of The Undertones. Their most famed single was 'Teenage Kicks', which was released in 1978. 'We were deflated when we first got the record': The Undertones, from left, Michael Bradley, Damian O'Neill, Feargal Sharkey, John O'Neill and Billy Doherty. Photo: Fin Costello/Redferns Prostate cancer is back in the headlines after six-time Olympic cycling gold medallist Sir Chris Hoy (49) revealed his diagnosis, which is now terminal. Last weekend, former US President Joe Biden (82) said he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer that has spread to his bones. A PSA test - a blood test that measures the amount of prostate specific antigen (PSA) in your blood - can detect the signs of the disease. Sharkey added: 'Now, for one in eight of you, you will be put in the same journey I've had and it's quite astonishing to think that in this country right now, one in eight men have prostate cancer. Most of them don't even know it. So go and have the blood test and if you're lucky, you'll walk away. "If you're lucky, like me hopefully, you'll have caught it early on and you can deal with it and get on top of it. 'But, and I have such unbelievable admiration for Chris Hoy over the last couple of months, if you end up where Chris is, well you're now looking for a very different outcome and not the one you were expecting for your life, my friend. So, for a blood test - go get it done right now.' According to the NHS website, symptoms of prostrate cancer include an increased need to pee, straining while you pee or a feeling that your bladder has not fully emptied.
The 42
16-05-2025
- Sport
- The 42
'I have that picture in my head' - Michael Duffy's dream of his son lifting the LOI trophy
MICHAEL DUFFY WILL tell you he is a worrier. A worrier with a positive outlook on life. His fiancée Emily will say the same. She slags him enough about it. The kids are a centre piece of concern. Eli is five – going on 15 – and Georgie is two. Not quite terrible but earning his stripes. 'Leave him down and turn your back, gone in a second,' Duffy says. The middle of the night is no different. There was a time, not so long ago but feeling increasingly like another lifetime, when Duffy would gladly spend his evenings playing Call of Duty or Fifa on the computer. No more. Now his worries kick in. 'What's that noise?' has become a catchphrase. Quickly followed by 'I'll check on the boys.' The TV is constantly paused. 'I'll be sitting staring at the monitor, when they were both younger I couldn't settle at night at all,' Duffy says. Advertisement Even the false alarms will ring true. 'The way they're on my mind, I could hear any little noise and think it's about them. I don't know what it is, just a bit of panic in me.' And when he and Emily are in bed and eventually do nod off there is no respite. Georgie will sleep through but Eli will always find comfort between his parents. The morning wellness checks that Duffy and his Derry teammates must now fill out when they arrive for training before 9am will ask about the quality of sleep, as well as a range of other personal issues that try and determine each player's state of mind and ability to train. Duffy is – still – Derry's hometown hero. Of the starting XI for the 2-1 win over Cork City last weekend he was the only Derry-born player in the side. Not that anyone has an issue with that given the Candystripes are on a run of five wins from their last six games that has them level on 26 points with Premier Division leaders Shamrock Rovers but off the top of the table on goal difference as they head to Drogheda United tonight. The one defeat in that run was away to Waterford, a loss that came at the end of a week in which they won away to Galway, then at home to Sligo a few days later before the trip to Munster. Tonight's fixture with Drogheda now has an added resonance after last season's FAI Cup final defeat to Kevin Doherty's side at Aviva Stadium, a result that was the catalyst for Ruaidhrí Higgins' departure as manager after also seeing their title challenge falter when it was in their own hands entering the final month. That's when the positive side of his personality came through. 'I knew it was going to be very different, on the pitch and off the pitch, but it was exciting. I just looked at it as it's exciting. And sort of using last year as an extra bit of drive, like how much it hurt at the end of last season. I think it's sort of kicked me on a bit. It's made me want to win even more, even though I don't feel like I needed that, but it's just maybe that wee bit extra. Because I think the way it ended was probably the toughest in my career to take. 'I don't give up and think 'we're not going to do it after last year'. It nearly gives you [more belief] . . . We're getting closer, and then all these changes. Maybe it's a good thing that it needed to happen.' Still, there were tears in the Duffy household, poor Eli now of an age when he understands what success and failure means. There is no escape from expectation and demand for Duffy. 'I love how positive he is about football now too, seeing him look at some of my goals on YouTube, seeing him smiling watching and then coming to me to ask about it, I think I can see how proud he is and that just makes me want to be even more successful for my kids and my family.' When Duffy drops him down to his father in law to be minded before heading to training talk will be of the match, who they're playing that week and what the celebration might be. But Eli also wants to win the league, especially after not being impressed by having to watch Shelbourne lift the trophy at the Ryan McBride Brandywell last November. 'That's how mad about Derry he is. He knows the craic with the league, he says it is the main thing he wants and is always talking about the trophy and getting to lift it. I have that picture of him doing it in my head too. It (the league) is what I want to win.' When Eli got to be mascot for a recent game he had only one demand: matching boots with his Daddy. Michael Duffy with his son Eli as mascot recently. Michael Duffy Michael Duffy They are both Arsenal, fans, too, and while he is Derry City by birth the Gunners won't be forced on him. 'Once he's not Manchester United I don't mind,' Duffy smiles. The way new boss Tiernan Lynch works also allows for family time to be planned each weekend. When fixtures are Friday to Friday – as they are for the games with Drogheda, Rovers and Bohemians before the mid-season break from 30 May – the Derry players train Monday to Thursday and then have Saturday and Sunday off to spend with their families. It's the first time Duffy has experience such leeway at weekends. By the time the new Premier League season kicks off on 16 August, father and son might even make it over to the Emirates. By that stage of the League of Ireland season – with no European football this season either – Duffy intends to be in the mix for his first league title with his local club. He will turn 31 on 28 July – sandwiched between games against Bohs and Rovers – and is feeling rejuvenated, especially after a leg break in 2022. 'This is the best I've felt since I was back, I'm in a good place.' That's reinforced every day at the Derry GAA centre of excellence in Owenbeg, where the Candystripes now call home after not having a permanent base previously. 'It's amazing, the pitches were like GAA ones at the start but for the last few weeks they've been brilliant, and the atmosphere and togetherness of all the lads is great. Fats (Patrick McEleney) is in with us coaching every day working on set-pieces with Andy Mitchell, they're loving it. 'The club's a lot more professional this year. I feel like we're probably a professional team at the minute, and I think it's starting to show in the last month or so.' The feelgood factor definitely is, and even on weeks like this with a tough trip to Drogheda family life is centred around football. 'I was with Eli down in the Brandywell for a wee match last night. He's a little leftie, he's come out of his shell and loves it now, he didn't want to be tackle at first but now he's dribbling around enjoying himself.' Wonder where he gets it from?
Irish Daily Mirror
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Paul Hughes says he can never forgive Conor McGregor for "insulting" comments
Paul Hughes has revealed that he can't forgive Conor McGregor for questioning his Irish identity. The Derry-born fighter found himself on the receiving end of McGregor's wrath earlier this year when he distanced himself from the Dubliner following a post-fight exchange with McGregor's nemesis, Khabib Nurmagomedov. This was after Nurmagomedov's cousin, Usman, had narrowly defeated Hughes in a closely contested Bellator World title fight. Hughes referred to McGregor as 'the other guy' after the match, a comment which infuriated McGregor and led him to launch an expletive-filled and highly offensive social media tirade where he questioned Hughes' Irishness. In his posts, McGregor suggested that Hughes, who proudly wears the Irish tricolour during his entrance, wasn't a true Irishman because he hails from the North of Ireland. "Get that flag off you you little know what you are c--- from up there, " McGregor posted at the time, before following up with another post that read "Up the real Irish f--- these vermin f----." Ahead of his headline fight with Bruno Miranda at the SSE Arena in Belfast on Saturday evening, Hughes spoke with former World Champion boxer Carl Frampton about how he handled McGregor's comments. During their conversation, Hughes reflected on his childhood in Derry where he played Gaelic football, hurling and soccer until his late teens before dedicating himself to MMA. When probed by Frampton about McGregor's remarks on his identity, Hughes expressed that he harbours no resentment towards the former UFC champ, but forgiving him is off the table. "Initially I kind of laughed it off because it was madness, it was so extreme the stuff that he was saying that I kind of had to laugh it off, I couldn't take it too personally. "I think it was more so the reaction of everyone here, especially people from Derry and people who identify as Irish and live in Northern Ireland. "Like, the worst thing you can say to someone is 'You're not f****** Irish because you live in the north of the island.'". "It's like the most insulting thing you can say to someone who sees themselves as Irish. "It's one of these things, people say 'can you forgive him?' I don't hold any hate in my heart. I don't hold any hate for him. "But I couldn't forgive him, not now, for my people essentially. How could I go around and say 'You know what, it wasn't that bad what you said.'". "It's literally the f****** worst thing you could say to an Irishman." Following McGregor's contentious statements, the entire community, encompassing both protestant and catholic members, rallied behind Hughes, with a slew of businesses, pubs, and eateries shunning McGregor's products. This bond with all facets of the community holds immense value for Hughes, a sentiment he cherishes deeply. On Thursday, ahead of the PFL Europe event in Belfast, Hughes said: "It's a great honour I guess. "I obviously don't decide these things, thankfully people have just taken to me, it's out of my control. "But, it definitely feels good and I feel very privileged to be in this position."
Irish Examiner
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
'I'm so involved in the product': Meet the Irish co-founder of cult label Rixo
'I could not care less about a trend,' says Orlagh McCloskey, co-founder of Rixo. It's 10 years since the Derry-born designer launched the vintage-inspired label with college friend, Henrietta Rix. In the early days they designed, created, sold, stocked, marketed — and even met London fashion editors — from the living room of their university flat. With experience as fashion buyers, and exposed to a world of fast fashion, they eschewed the throwaway culture. Rixo, they decided, would not be defined by trends. Instead there would be cool prints, evoking a sense of wanderlust, designed by McCloskey (to this day she says she 'has her hands' on every Rixo graphic), and feminine silhouettes. With the environment at the forefront, these would be investment pieces in an era of overconsumption. Transcending time, they would be dresses women could treasure forever and style for every occasion, from a wedding with heels to Saturday brunch with runners. Ten years on, McCloskey and Rix have created something of a Rixo DNA. Their designs are instantly recognisable, to the point that often, when I wear their kimonos, sourced with grit on vintage sites, I am often met with a nod and a murmured 'Rixo?' as a greeting. If you know, you know. Orlagh and Henrietta of Rixo. Picture: Silvia Olsen McCloskey laughs when I share this. A decade on and she still gets a kick when she sees women wear her designs (and these include some very famous faces from Catherine, Princess of Wales, to Hailey Bieber; Selena Gomez and Florence Pugh). 'People often say to me, I keep going back to my Rixo, it's my trusty dress,' she says, speaking from her home in London. So while other labels are trend focused, instead Rixo puts the woman centre stage. 'Feeling good in your clothes is behind what we design,' says McCloskey. 'How you feel, where you are going in it. When I see vintage clothing, from the 30s or the 70s, it's so different now — women have busy lifestyles, their clothes need to work from day to events. It's got to be versatile. Instead of season launches, Rixo releases four collections a year – with monthly exclusive drops. Right now these monthly pulls have been dubbed 'The Perfect Pieces' by McCloskey. 'It's not the official name for this but it's almost like Rixo's version of a capsule collection,' says McCloskey, pointing to the brand's now cult leopard print coat as an example. RIXO's cult leopard print coat 'What are the pieces that you want to wear all the time? So it's the Rixo DNA but it will work with whatever is in your wardrobe. You can come to us for your occasion dress but also the bits that will work with whatever is in your wardrobe.' She gives the example of a vintage sweater you'd pick up to walk your dog on a Saturday. Rixo doesn't have that yet — but it's only a matter of time. Add to that accessories, bridalwear and homeware, and Rixo is, at last count, overseeing 23 collections a year. It's relentless, and yet McCloskey says, it never really feels like work. Time though is more precious now she has a 13-month-old son. 'If I didn't love what we are creating, I wouldn't put the time and pressure in,|" she says. 'I love what I do. If you don't have that passion you won't put in the extra mile. 'At the beginning for both Henrietta and I, it was our life. We didn't have partners, we didn't go out at all. Maybe it was a protection — when you meet someone, you feel you are missing out when you work all weekend. If we weren't even going out, then we had nothing to miss.' Today, with family at home, weekends are like gold dust — the odd vintage fair on a Sunday the exception. 'I'm in the office most days but I spend my time with him in the mornings and that's my precious time,' she says. Rixo is overseeing 23 collections a year She has also recognised her business 'superpower'. A creative force, the grind of logistics and critical paths isn't her focus. Instead, she guards the creative time she can give to Rixo. 'I'm so involved in the product,' she says, again harking back to the brand DNA. You always know an artist's work, it's similar in some way. I'm still so involved, I touch everything, so that touchpoint is there. 'I need to protect more of my time to make Rixo what it is. Being so close to the product, you don't lose that brand identity.' As Rixo celebrates its 10th anniversary, there is also another milestone. This month they open their first Irish store. A permanent location in Kildare Village, it also marks another first — this will be their one and only outlet offering. Home is important to McCloskey ('If I don't get home every Christmas, my mum would have a canary,' she laughs) and she's visibly excited at what's ahead. A family affair, her twin sister, interior designer Gemma McCloskey, founder of Cupla, is also on board. The space pays homage to Ireland's folklore. Inspired by Irish churches with vaulted ceilings, Celtic mythology and landscapes, the boutique features sweeping arches reminiscent of ancient castles, and warm gold silk wallpaper evoking the glow of an Irish hearth. And of course there are hand-painted gilded stars — this is Rixo, after all. As it celebrates its 10th anniversary, Rixo will have a new home in Kildare Village. The store will offer off-price items, ready-to-wear pieces from the latest collections, footwear and accessories. Markdown styles from the Rixo Bridal collection will also be available as well as exclusive one-off styles, crafted from off-cut fabrics, created specifically for the Kildare location. Their aim? To make this a destination store. Rixo recognised the power of community a decade ago. Before Instagram became the force it is today, they launched Humans of Rixo, encouraging their fans to photograph and post themselves in their designs. Today it is one of the focal points of their website. The sense of belonging also extends to their subscribers — sign up and you can pop into a store in London for a complimentary coffee. Small touches, but it's what sets Rixo apart. Ten years ago, they were two college friends about to launch a fashion label from their university flat. So what's ahead for the next decade? 'Still doing Rixo,' McCloskey says with conviction. 'So many women don't know Rixo yet. So we will still be doing Rixo, just more of it.' Rixo's premium outlet at Kildare Village opens May 8 Read More Cork designer Sinéad Keary on finding her path in fashion and her successful brand
Irish Daily Mirror
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Retired policewoman, 72, hopes to win RTÉ's Super Garden on latest episode
A retired policewoman who always had a green finger turned her hobby into a career after leaving the force. Belfast-based Eileen Sung, 72, was the second garden designer featured on RTÉ One's Super Garden on Tuesday night. Viewers saw her transform Vasile and Sarah's undecorated back garden into a gorgeous green space perfect for their three-year-old Francesco and a baby on the way. Before coming to her passion of gardening, Eileen had a varied and exciting career. After leaving school at 19, she worked as a police officer in Hong Kong before returning to Belfast, where she worked as a clerk for the NI assembly. When she retired, the Derry-born woman studied at the University of Ulster and graduated with a horticulture degree. She has previously worked for Belfast City Council as a garden labourer and is now a volunteer gardener and garden guide at Rowallane National Trust. The horticulturist is now hoping to win Super Garden - as the lucky winner will have their design showcased at Bord Bia's Bloom at the end of May. Before Eileen got her hands on Sarah and Vasile's garden, the space wasn't being utilised. It featured a children's sandbox, and was home to the household's bikes. The plant enthusiast got creative and transformed it into both a practical space that features beautiful and vibrant plants. It now holds two outdoor seating spaces, a wooden shed for the bikes and children's toys, and plant beds encasing the whole garden. Eilleen's garden is called 'New Beginnings', as she took inspiration from the family's impending arrival. The winner of Super Garden will be decided by three judges - Brian Burke from Woodies, Carol Marks from Bord Bia and former Super Garden winner Monica Alvarez. It's a dream for many designers, including Eileen, as their garden will be seen by over 100,000 visitors at Ireland's largest garden showcase. As part of RTÉ's Super Garden series, each designer is given €15,000 and three weeks to complete their masterpiece. This year, every contestant was paired with a homeowner who recently purchased a house built by Glenveagh Homes in Baker Hall, Navan, Co Meath. They are each given a similar-sized garden to create their designs, working alongside each other in the new housing development.
