14/05/2025
Niamh’s Story
Niamh was originally diagnosed with Breast Cancer in April 2009 when she was 3 months pregnant with our youngest son Eoin. Niamh went through 8 months of treatment during and after her pregnancy, and was 10 years cancer free until we received the devastating news in June 2020, that her cancer had returned.
During that 10 years in 2013, Niamh decided to take up running and over the course of the next 2 years ran many 5k, 10k, 10 milers and 2 half marathon runs. Unfortunately, the busy life with kids took over and Mom’s taxi was needed for the next few years, which didn’t allow Niamh time to continue her running.
Soon after Niamh received the news that the cancer had returned in 2020, we were on a drive around Banna one Sunday afternoon, and whilst travelling along part of the annual Banna 10k route, Niamh said to me, ‘its hard to believe I was able to run this 6 years ago and look at me now’. I turned to Niamh and said, ‘and what’s stopping you from running it again, we will get your treatment over in the next few months and this time next year you will run this 10k’. That was to be our goal for the next year.
A week after this, we received the news that Niamh’s cancer had spread to her lungs. The first thing Niamh said on leaving the consultants room that day, was ‘that’s my running finished anyway’. And that’s where the idea of going back running lay for over a year.
About August/September 2021, I noticed a post on facebook by Kilflynn City Running Group who were looking to start a new couch to 5k running group. I suggested to Niamh that we should give it a go, but Niamh was very apprehensive, worried that she might not be able for it because she had secondary cancer on the lungs. With a bit of encouragement, Niamh eventually decided to give it a try. Her attitude was, sure if I can’t run it, I can walk it, won’t it still be exercise and won’t we be out meeting people and getting a bit fitter at the same time. And so there it all started in October 2021, and gradually over the next few months, Niamh realised that she could run again, despite having cancer, and went on to complete a 5k on St. Stephen’s Day 2021 with Kilflynn City Running Group.
Niamh went on to complete many more 5k and 10k runs over the next 2 years before the cancer spread further to her liver in 2023.
Niamh’s commitment to her health, fitness and her running really stood to her during her battle throughout her illness and in the final stages of her illness. Many of her medics commented that the fitness Niamh had from her running helped her survive some of the many battles she had to fight to stay alive.
To Niamh, running and the running club meant everything. So it is only befitting that we remember Niamh with a run dedicated to her memory and in doing so raise some much needed funds for 2 charities that were very close to Niamh’s heart.
Firstly, Kerry Hospice Foundation and Kerry Specialist Palliative Care Services. Niamh and her family were so grateful for the care, support and kindness provided by the Kerry Palliative Care Services during her illness.
Secondly, Breast Cancer Ireland, it was important to Niamh that Breast Cancer Ireland continue their research in the battle against breast cancer, as well as promoting education and awareness on the importance of good breast health amongst women of all ages.
So we would like to encourage everyone to come out on June 7th in memory of Niamh and do whatever you can, run/walk/crawl (as Niamh said ‘sure if I can’t run it, can’t I walk it).
Maurice O Connell
https://eventmaster.ie/event/5EVDtQvsEz
