Ex-US Marine sponsors GAA team in Mayo

Aghamore U8 boys’ GAA team will be wearing new training tops thanks to a very generous sponsor from the US.

Patrick Ford, whose mother Madie Varley, hails from Ballyglass, Aghamore, handed over a cheque for $1,000 to Fergal Killeen who helps out with the underage team.

Patrick’s story is one of gratitude and selflessness. Beginning life in the US Marine Corps alongside his brother, Patrick served for nine years which included commanding a platoon in Afghanistan, an experience where he faced the heartbreak of losing three Marines from his unit. Since then, the Washington-based man has not taken life for granted.

Now working in his co-founded sanitary facilities business with his colleague Will McLoughlin, they have donated nearly $290,000 to ‘Gold Star’ families (families of a fallen military member who has died in the line of duty) while also employing military veterans.

“Mayo raised my mother, my mother raised me, and I believe that the character of the Mayo people lives in me,” Patrick remarked when reminiscing about his experience of coming to the west of Ireland.

“I wanted to give back to a county that has given so much to my family. I believe that if you have the means, giving back is fulfilling and gives me a sense of purpose.”

Patrick, a regular visitor to Mayo, is travelling back to Ireland in August where he aims to bring his past Marine experience to the Aghamore pitch to help train his sponsored side.

“When I was a US Marine officer I passed through a massive sign that read ‘lead by example’ in Latin. That is the number one motto.

“There is no better way than giving back. I look forward to meeting the team, and hopefully years from now they can lead by example. I hope when I meet them, and talk to them, that they will remember the conversation in the future.”

Patrick says he will bring his mother back to Mayo in August.