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06 Sept 2025
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06 Sept 2025
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Brendan Devenney (MC), Shane Carthy, Ronan McNamee and Oisin McConville at the ‘Heads Up’ event
Last weekend, Sean MacCumhaill’s GAA club held a well-attended event focused on raising awareness about mental health and wellbeing.
The ‘Heads Up’ evening took place at Jackson’s Hotel on Friday, with nearly 200 people in attendance. The event aimed to highlight key mental health issues affecting local communities, such as depression, gambling, addiction, and low self-esteem.
The night featured several prominent speakers, including Shane Carthy, Oisin McConville, Ronan McNamee, Katy Herron, Jamesie Donnelly, and Kevin Mills. Former Donegal GAA star Brendan Devenney served as the event’s MC.
Shane Carthy, a former Dublin player and author, opened the evening by sharing his personal experience with depression and the impact it had on his life.
Ronan McNamee, a former Tyrone player, followed by discussing his own battle with depression, crediting Mickey Harte for his crucial support in overcoming the challenge.
Eugene Duffy, a Suicide Crisis Assessment Nurse (SCAN), spoke about the signs of depression and suicidal thoughts, outlining the support available to those in distress and their loved ones.
Kevin Mills, a Donegal U-20 mentor and SafeTALK facilitator, shared his work with communities affected by suicide and urged clubs to utilise SafeTALK, a free suicide awareness training programme.
Donegal LGFA star Katy Herron, known for her advocacy of women in sport, discussed the challenges she has faced throughout her career, serving as an inspiration to the women in the audience.
Andrea McGarvey from the Donegal Addiction Service spoke about how individuals can access addiction services and the support available for families.
Former Armagh player and GAA pundit Oisin McConville gave an open account of his recovery journey from gambling addiction.
Rounding off the speakers, former Donegal hurler and MacCumhaills clubman Jamesie Donnelly emphasised the importance of peer support and the courage to ask for help.
To close the event, Carol McCann, MacCumhaill’s Health and Wellbeing Officer, encouraged those in attendance to continue the conversation on mental health, stating, “Don’t let this wonderful night go to waste – let’s keep talking about mental health.”
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