David Quirke with his late dad, Noel.

Goalie David's dry month in memory of father

David Quirke threw himself into the Irish Heart Foundation’s On The Dry campaign in January after the tragic loss of his father to a heart attack last June.

Having already decided not to drink in January, but instead focus on his football and going to the gym, the Navan man thought it would be a good idea to fundraise for the national charity fighting heart disease and stroke, as it is “close to his heart”.

David (24) raised an impressive €600 as a tribute to his father from sponsors at his gym, football club and via Facebook, and found the experience “easier than I thought it would be,” except for some brief and “tough” temptation at the end of January at the presentation of awards to his local GAA club in Navan - who celebrated winning the 2015 Meath Senior Football Championship.

Recalling a fond memory with his father, David described a personal photograph: “That’s a picture of me and my dad. That was when we won the Meath Senior Football Championship in 2014 and he got to see me play in the final. We went on to retain the title last year, but unfortunately he wasn’t there to see it.”

David took on the challenge to honour his dad and said he intends to go On The Dry again next year.

“Not drinking is good for stress relief,” he said. “It’s definitely good for the head and has helped me think clearer about things.”

Thousands others, like David, have gone On The Dry to support the valuable work of the Irish Heart Foundation, with promises of support aplenty from colleagues, friends and family.

More than 5,400 participants nationwide took part in the unique fundraiser supported by 2FM. In a survey of last year’s participants, 62% said they had better sleep and more energy after taking part, 49% reported losing weight, 79% saved money and 82% said they felt a sense of achievement.

Well known participants this year included 2FM’s Keith Walsh, comedian Fred Cooke, RTE Southeast correspondent Damien Tiernan and Lucinda Creighton TD.

The Irish Heart Foundation sends huge congratulations to all who took part and now that February has arrived, the charity is asking everyone to remember to send in all those generous pledges to help continue its work to protect and improve heart health in Ireland.

Every euro raised from On The Dry will support the Irish Heart Foundation’s prevention programmes for children, adults and local communities that are crucial to keeping more hearts beating around Ireland.