Irish Army Battalion launch fundraiser in memory of Armagh 'super fan' Aaron O'Neill

Sunday 30th October 2022

The Portadown man died suddenly earlier this month aged just 36 and his comrades will undertake a unique challenge to raise money for the NI Air Ambulance Service

The Irish Army comrades of Armagh ‘super fan’ Aaron O’Neill will take part in a unique fundraiser for the Northern Ireland Air Ambulance.

The Portadown man died suddenly earlier this month after taking ill at his home, aged 36.

Mr O’Neill was well-known in GAA circles as his ‘Garvaghy Road Orangemen on Tour’ flag was often spotted at Armagh matches down through the years and was also a joint administrator of the Armagh Fans Twitter account.

Several members of Armagh’s All-Ireland winning team of 2002, including Justin McNulty and Ronan Clarke, were among those who paid tribute to Aaron on social media while the Armagh senior team also attended his wake in Portadown.

Aaron served in the Irish Army in Lebanon and his comrades will undertake the David Goggins 4x4x48 challenge between Friday, November 4 and Sunday, November 6 to raise funds and awareness for the NI Air Ambulance Service who were dispatched to help Aaron when he collapsed.

The 120th Infantry Battalion will run four miles every four hours for 48 hours for the charity.

Aaron’s daughter, Caitlin, has adopted the famous Armagh banner in his honour and it was proudly on display when she lined out for Ballyhegan in their Ulster Club Ladies Intermediate Football quarter-final last Sunday, but the Armagh side were beaten by Castlerahan/Denn.

A justgiving page has been set up online and all donations, big or small, are greatly appreciated with all proceeds going to the NI Air Ambulance who provide emergency life saving service to critically ill people.

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/unifil120gogginschallenge