The Iron Games: tournament comes to an end as final round takes place

The inaugural Iron Games tournament 2018 has now come to a close, with the final instalment of the golf event taking place last Friday.

Participating construction companies and their teams took to Aldenham Golf Course on Friday 12th October to bring the tournament to an end. Despite less than ideal weather conditions with heavy winds, there was a great turnout on the day with twelve teams taking part, to make the final round of the games a great success. After an exciting day on the course, Danny Sullivan Group were crowned the golfing champions, taking home the fourth and final Iron Cup of the tournament. Carey Group took the runner up spot, defeated by Danny Sullivan Group by just two points. 

Haemochromatosis UK Chairperson Corrina Towers and Chief Executive David Head attended the dinner and gratefully accepted the cheque, on behalf of The Haemochromatosis Society, during the presentation that followed. Corrina thanked everyone who participated in the various events and for their ongoing support.

The Iron Games, which took place at various times from August to October, was a thrilling tournament from start to finish. The four rounds of sporting events brought together teams from major construction companies across the country to face one another and compete for the four Iron Cups – 7-a-side soccer, hurling, Gaelic football and golf.

The tournament, sponsored by Toureen Group, was an important fundraiser for Haemochromatosis UK, a charity and patient support group working to raise awareness of this iron overload disorder. Haemochromatosis is a genetic condition that causes the body to absorb too much Iron from food, which can then build up to toxic, sometimes fatal, levels. It is particularly prevalent amongst the Irish nation, with research indicating that as many as 1 in 5 Irish people carry the genetic flaw that causes Haemochromatosis.

Chairperson Corina Towers of the Haemochromatosis UK Society, has extended her thanks to everyone who has been involved in the tournament;

“On behalf of the Haemochromatosis UK board, executive team and the people with Iron overload that we represent, we’d like to extend our heartfelt thanks to you all for taking part in and supporting the Iron Games 2018.

We thank you also for the sportsmanship, collaborative spirit and friendship extended by all of your team players and supporters, to everybody who was involved in these games from planning to playing to the side-lines. We are very proud of what has been achieved and humbled by such warmth and generosity.”

David Head, Chief Executive at Haemochromatosis UK added;

“The Iron Games is one of those unique opportunities to make a genuine difference to the charity’s work and raise awareness, have fun and reach those people who are most often affected. The companies that participate are quite literally saving lives.” 

The event has generated a grand total of over £110,000 for the Haemochromatosis UK charity to fund their work raising awareness and educating healthcare professionals to diagnose haemochromatosis earlier, which can save lives and suffering.

Toureen Group would like to sincerely thank everyone who was involved in making the Iron Games 2018 such a major success. Daniel Nolan, Director of Toureen Group said;

“We were taken aback by the generosity of all the companies who got involved with the Iron Games. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all of the companies and people who entered the games, sponsored or gave up their time to support the events.

Many thanks must also go to the volunteers who helped organise the games and to to the venues that offered their support and hospitality by allowing us to host the tournament at their grounds, including; London GAA Grounds in Ruislip, The Hive in Barnet, Tir Chonail Gaels GAA Club in Greenford and Aldenham Golf Club in Watford.

Without the collective support of everyone involved, such a successful event would not have been possible.”

Teams: Toureen Group, Carey Group, Danny Sullivan Group, JRL Group, ECL Civil Engineering Ltd, Getjar Limited, Ground Construction Limited, Mitchellson, Oliver Connell & Son Ltd, Murphy Group, The Galway Tribesmen (team consisting of P.C Colohan & Co. Ltd, Addingtons, P.J Keary & ASM Metal Recycling.)

Sponsors: McGee, The Irish Post, Irish in Britain, Pod-Trak, Owen Fabrications Ltd and Toureen Group.

The Iron Games 2018 was a tremendous success and the money raised will truly be a game changer for the Haemochromatosis UK charity. Look out next year for The Iron Games 2019!

All funds raised through The Iron Games will help to fund a new three-year Genetic Haemochromatosis Education Programme (GHEP) by Haemochromatosis UK to employ an education manager to deliver projects, materials and events to educate healthcare professionals and communities at risk.

A selection of images below throughout the tournament;