Bereaved Laois family launch special memorial jersey

The heartbroken family of Mountmellick boy Eoin Coss, 14 who died on December 10 2022, after a 10 month battle with cancer, have begun a special fundraiser to keep his memory alive and help other sick children.

His mother Martina Dunne and Eoin's big brothers Rian and Darragh have designed a jersey in memory of the sports mad teen, and are hoping people will take it on their holidays, in honour of Eoin and his unfulfilled dream to travel the world.

In a series of brave videos on social media, Martina and her boys revealed their project last September.

See video below and a link to purchase a jersey.

“When Eoin was getting chemo in Crumlin, he was pricing tickets to Australia, I asked why and he said not to be shocked as when he got older he wanted to go. I said of course, but deep down in my heart I knew he wouldn't travel,” she said.

They designed a crest with a yellow rose as Eoin had planted one with his mam during Covid, a home with a heart, and music notes.

On the back it says 'Forever 14 Eoin'. On the front is “thanks for such a great journey” from a letter Eoin wrote, and a rainbow.

“Eoin had said to me there'll always be a rainbow to let me know that he'll be watching over me,” his mother explained.

They printed the jerseys using leftover funds after Eoin's funeral costs were covered, from a Gofundme of public donations that flooded in after he was diagnosed.

All the profits of the €40 jerseys will go towards the Giggle fund for child patients in St John's Ward in Crumlin children's hospital, and to the Paediatrics Unit in Midlands Regional Hospital Portlaoise.

“It's our way of keeping Eoin's memory alive and that he will get to travel like he always wanted. It is very important that we give back to those that might need it.

“Paedriatics in Portlaoise were so amazing to Eoin and us throughout his illness. We're so lucky to have a unit so close to us for our kids.

“I look forward to seeing how this goes. I was so proud of Eoin and we can also hopefully be proud of this,” Martina said.

The first print of 75 last September sold in two hours, and a second run of 400 is selling fast, printed locally by DS Sports.

People are posting photos wearing them on holidays from Jamaica to Prague, tagging #eoinsjourney.

Martina told the Leinster Express that they are overwhelmed with support for Eoin's Jersey Journey.

“I plan to do another video update soon. They are desperately hard to do, I don't know how long they took because we kept crying. But it has to be done. Eoin can't be gone, I won't allow for him to be just gone.

“I hope the jerseys are something that can continue.

“They aren't just for travel, I'm getting photos of people wearing them on tractors. If someone just wears it to SuperValu, and someone sees it, that's two people remembering Eoin. That's what it's about, keeping his memory alive,” she said.

Order a jersey on https://www.dssports.ie/