Industry & Business

The inaugural Iron Games Ireland 2019, brought together over 120 players representing some well-known construction companies from across Ireland and the UK to compete for the Perpetual Iron Games Cup to raise funds for the Irish Haemochromatosis Association in Gaelic Football at Croke Park on Friday, 20th September. Raising significant funds for Ireland’s most common genetic disorder, BAM, Dornan Engineering, Kiernan Structural Steel Ltd., Tide Construction, Vision, Oliver Connell, Mastersons, King & Moffatt, Toureen and Gael Form Ltd all togged out to compete for the Perpetual Cup while raising these important funds for the charity. The event was also supported through donations from Winthrop Engineering, McGarrell Reilly, Oran Precast and Suir Engineering.

The Gaelic football tournament, along with a Golf tournament which will take place next Friday 27th September at the K Club, will raise vital funds for the Irish Haemochromatosis Association (IHA), a registered patient advocacy charity, largely volunteer-led, working for over 20 years to raise awareness of the iron overload disorder – the most common genetic condition in Ireland.

Gaelic Football All-Stars, David Beggy, David Gough and Paul Clarke refereed the match on the day. While Gaelic football analyst and former player Joe Brolly acted as MC with the help of Jerry Grogan, as stadium announcer. Against stiff competition and an exciting semi-final, Team Toureen were awarded the Iron Perpetual Cup, designed and manufactured in the UK by Kevin Boys Blacksmiths and uniquely crafted in iron.

Haemochromatosis is a genetic disorder where an excessive amount of iron is absorbed from the diet into vital organs such as the liver, heart and lungs and body tissue, in other words ‘iron overload’. It is a potentially fatal condition if not detected early and is the most common genetic disorder in Ireland, where 1 in 5 people are carriers i.e. 20% of the population and 1 in 83 people are predisposed to develop it.

Margaret Mullett, Chairperson of the IHA, said on the day: “Through playing and participating in the Iron Games, all our players, sponsors and supporters have helped us raise more awareness of how important early diagnosis of Haemochromatosis is, as the disorder is more common in Ireland than anywhere in the world. It is essential that we do all in our power to ensure that no Irish person goes undiagnosed or is left untreated.”

The Construction Industry Federation partnered with the Irish Haemochromatosis Association to bring the innovative Iron Games to Ireland for the first time. The Iron Games Tournament in Ireland will raise essential funds to assist in its life-saving work and help promote health, wellness and engagement amongst construction company staff.

The Irish Haemochromatosis Association encourages people who are suffering from symptoms such as chronic fatigue, joint pain, diabetes, irregular heartbeat and enlarged liver to consult their GP. A simple blood test to check a patient’s iron status can confirm or rule out iron overload. Once diagnosed, treatment is simple with regular removal of blood, similar to donating blood. Early detection is vital for sufferers to avoid organ damage and achieve a normal life expectancy.

Plans are already afoot to stage the games in 2020, when all companies will be invited to participate and make a real difference to the treatments for this disorder.  For more information on the work of the IHA or to donate visit www.haemochromatosis-ir.com