Former Mayo footballer Conor Diskin to run half-marathon in memory of his late son

FORMER Mayo footballer Conor Diskin will run a half-marathon in memory of his late son to fundraise for the country’s only children’s hospice. 

The Claremorris clubman, who played Minor, U-21 and senior football for Mayo, lost his son, Cillian, in 2023 to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. He was ten months old.

Next month, Diskin will run the Fastlane Half Marathon & 10k in aid of LauraLynn, a Dublin-based charity that provides support to sick children and their families. 

“Cillian had a cheeky smile, an authentic laugh and brought so much love and joy to those around him,” Diskin wrote.

“On the 17th of May this year Cillian would have been celebrating his 3rd Birthday and as hard as it is that he won’t be here for it, I want to do something positive in his memory and so for Cillian’s Birthday I will be running the Clondalkin half marathon on the 18th of May in support of the children of the Laura Lynn Children’s hospice.

“This is an amazing charity that provides palliative care for children with life-limiting conditions, making the most of short and precious lives.”

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Diskin previously described losing his son as ‘unbearable at times’ and ‘a level of pain I never knew was possible’. 

His fundraiser for LauraLynn raised over €10,000 within just 48 hours of being launched.

Thanking those who donated, Diskin said the ‘kindness and generosity of the Irish people is second to none, these funds will make a huge difference’.

You can donate to Conor Diskin’s fundraiser for LauraLynn here.