In June of last year – Legendary Clare Hurling figure Ger Loughnane was diagnosed with Leukaemia and Clare FM’s Morning Focus was inundated with good wishes and messages of support for the 58 year old Feakle native as he began treatment in hospital
Just over a month later – the Loughnane family was forced to ask a close friend to speak on Clare FM to deny rumours that Ger had died as a result of his illness
The false reports had began circulating on social networking sites overnight in late July, and made it to some online media reports the following morning
On top of the obvious distress caused by such false rumours, Ger Loughnane has undergone six months of intensive treatment for Leukaemia, and is now well on the road to recovery
He’s also taking things a bit easier since his retirement as Principal of St Aidan’s National School in Shannon in recent weeks – John Cooke met Ger at his home in Ennis yesterday to hear the real story
And you can hear the remainder of the interview with Ger Loughnane on tomorrow’s Morning Focus.
Today’s interview is now available as a podcast on this website.
Useful numbers:
The National Cancer Helpline
1 800 200 700
Slainte an Chlair- Clare Cancer Support
1850 211 630 / 087 6912396
Tubber Jockey and Cheltenham Champion Derek O’Connor joined John for a word on today’s racing at Cheltenham
Rupert Bell, Horseracing Pundit, also joined us live from Day Two at Cheltenham
The Irish raiders will be hoping for greater success on day two of the Cheltenham racing festival
The feature race on the traditional ladies day is the two-mile Queen Mother Champion Chase at twenty past three.
The other big race on the card is the Grade One RSA Chase
Steele’s Terrace is a hundred years old this year and to mark the occasion a book Steele’s Terrace – more than a Century of History, Pictures & Memories will be launched in the Old Ground Hotel on Thursday at 8 pm
Paddy Brennan- one of the authors of Steele’s Terrace and Tony Lynch, Secretary of Steele’s Terrace Centenary Committee- joined John to discuss
Paddy and Tony grew up on the Terrace and has great memories of the sporting activities in the 40’s and 50’s.
Paul Wolfe of the Clare Citizens’ Information Service joined John in studio to answer your queries.
If you have a story for the Morning Focus team email Focus@clare.fm
