By Alan Healy

A Derry school has awarded one its rising sports stars an award in memory of a former pupil who died of cancer.

Niall Ferguson was diagnosed with leukaemia, a cancer of the blood, in 1998, aged just five-years-old.

He lost his fight against the disease just two years later, aged seven.

His former school, St Oliver Plunkett’s PS in Strathfoyle, who were a great support to his family, then erected a plaque in his memory on its grounds.

Every year, the school now hands out a special award, the Niall Ferguson Memorial Shield, in his memory to honour young people who have excelled in the field of sport.

This year the award was given to young Kaci-Lee Devine, a young gymnast.

Tragically, Niall’s parents Eilish and Joe have also died due to cancer.

The loss of Niall in 2000 left his parents Eilish and father Joe devastated.

In 2006, Eilish was diagnosed with breast cancer, battling for five years before getting the all-clear in February 2011.

However, in April of the same year she was given the awful news the cancer had spread to her lungs and could not be operated upon.

On April 13, the day of Joe and Eilish’s 40th wedding anniversary, she was given three months to live and died exactly on July 13, 2011.

Joe was diagnosed with prostate cancer in December 2011, just five months after his wife had died, losing his battle in December of last year.

Niall’s uncle, John Doherty, was also in attendance at the presentation, who presented a plaque to Michael Coyle for all the support he has given to both the Ferguson and Doherty families.

Speaking to the Derry News, St Oliver Plunkett’s PS principal, Brian McLaughlin, said that the school was happy to be honouring Niall’s memory with the award.

“We’re delighted to be able to this every year, and Kaci-Lee was a very deserving winner for her efforts over the past year,” he said.

“Each year we would change from a boy to a girl, it’s a great award and encourages the children to get involved in sport.”

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