MediCentre Portarlington

16/10/2025

09/10/2025

Wishing our friend and colleague Síle Burbage and the entire St Conleths LGFC team the very best of luck in the county final on Saturday! It promises to be another incredible outing for the amazing girls in white and blue!

A sea of white and blue…

It’s the moment we all wait for every year — the Laois LOETB Senior Championship Final!

Our community is bursting with pride as our incredible girls prepare to defend their title and chase a historic two-in-a-row victory.

Every cheer, every flag, and every bit of white and blue makes a difference.

Let’s come together and show the strength of our support!

📸 Send us your photos of white and blue displays in your homes, schools, businesses, and neighbourhoods. Let’s flood our social media feeds and towns with colour and pride!

This team has inspired us all with their dedication, teamwork, and passion — now it’s our turn to lift them even higher.

If you’d like to sponsor the team for this momentous occasion, we’d love to hear from you.

Clifford: (087) 758 3241
Síle: (085) 8330790

Together, we can make this a final to remember —
Let’s turn the county into a sea of white and blue!💙🤍

Ticket link 🎫

https://www.universe.com/events/loetb-u16-a-senior-laois-lgfa-championship-finals-tickets-MP916J?ref=share-widget-buffer

01/09/2025

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

The Irish Cancer Society notes: "Around 190 children under the age of 16 and around 70 teenagers aged between 15 and 19 are diagnosed each year in Ireland. They often affect different parts of the body and behave differently. The most common tumours in children are brain and central nervous system tumours. Although cancer is rare in children, it’s important to know the symptoms and get any unusual changes checked by your GP."

A list of signs and symptoms can be found here:
https://www.cancer.ie/childrens-cancer/symptoms-and-diagnosis-of-childrens-cancer

Dr Michael Capra, Consultant Paediatric Oncologist at CHI at Crumlin, stressed the importance of awareness:

“The signs and symptoms can look very innocuous on their own, so we are looking for persistent or recurring signs. Please remember, if your child has some of these symptoms, it does not mean that they have cancer.

"But it’s important that they are seen by a doctor, who can rule out a more serious problem. More than likely, it will be something minor, but we want to catch those rare cases where it’s something serious as early as possible.”

As always, don't hesitate to contact your GP if you have any concerns.

30/08/2025

An excellent resource shared by HSE Ireland

Our Health A to Z is your guide to over 400 health conditions, their symptoms and treatments, including what to do and when to get help.

Look up information about different conditions here: https://bit.ly/4gjsJvH

08/07/2025

July is .

There are two main types of Sarcoma: Bone Sarcoma and Soft tissue Sarcoma.

The Irish Cancer Society notes: "Bone sarcoma affects around 30 people in Ireland each year, making it a very rare form of cancer. Not all bone cancers will be sarcomas.

Soft tissue sarcomas can affect any part of the body; they develop in supporting or connective tissue such as the muscles, nerves, fatty tissue, and blood vessels. About 175 people are diagnosed with soft tissue sarcomas each year in Ireland and there are a number of different types."

Sarcoma can affect almost any part of the body. If you notice any of the following symptoms, contact your GP.

Any lump that:

-Is increasing in size
-Is painful and tender
-Is deep in your body, and not just under your skin
-Has come back after being surgically removed
-A lung sarcoma might cause a cough and breathlessness
-A sarcoma in your tummy might cause abdominal pain, vomiting and constipation
-A sarcoma affecting your womb might cause vaginal bleeding and pain in your lower abdomen

📷HSE

17/05/2025

Honouring Dr Fergus McKeagney:
A Gentle Presence, A Lasting Legacy

It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of our dear friend and colleague, Dr Fergus McKeagney.

Fergus was a cornerstone of the Portarlington community for many decades, known and loved by generations of families.

His name became synonymous with kindness, wisdom, and compassionate care.

As a GP, he brought not just medical skill, but an extraordinary warmth and empathy to every patient encounter.

Fergus gave so much of himself to others – quietly, generously, and with a deep sense of purpose.

Each year, he travelled as part of the Portarlington pilgrimage to Lourdes, giving his time and expertise in the same selfless way he did at home.

He was a wonderful colleague – calm, supportive, and always ready to lend a hand or share a moment of humour.

He had a deep love of nature, music, and the arts, and a rare ability to connect with people from all walks of life.

But above all, Fergus was a devoted husband and proud father, whose love for his family shone through in everything he did.

We are heartbroken at his loss, but feel deeply grateful to have known him, worked alongside him, and called him our friend.

Our thoughts are with his beloved family during this difficult time.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

23/04/2025

It's

In Ireland, Testicular cancer affects about 170 men every year. The Irish Cancer Society notes: "Testicular cancer is when normal cells in the testicles change and grow into cancer. The cancer can affect how the testicles work normally. Sometimes testicular cancer cells spread to lymph glands at the back of the abdomen, the chest or neck. Testicular cancer is rare, but it’s the most common cancer in young men aged between 15 and 44."

The good news is Testicular Cancer is highly treatable. As always, it's important to know the signs and symptoms. If you have any questions or concerns, contact your GP.

https://www.cancer.ie/cancer-information-and-support/cancer-types/testicular-cancer

📷 Irish Cancer Society

01/04/2025

April is

From today, BowelScreen will be available to everyone aged 59 to 70. The eligibility expansion means up to 48,000 more Bowel Screen invitations will be sent in the next two years.

This Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, the HSE shared Joe Grogan's story. Joe, from Tuam, Co. Galway, was one of the first 59-year-olds to take part in BowelScreen after the age range was extended to include people aged 59 in October 2023. Joe had bowel cancer detected after he took his BowelScreen test.

Joe said: “I don’t want people to be afraid of getting screened for bowel cancer; it’s a first step. If it comes back negative, happy days. If there is an issue deal with it. Don’t let it go. Bowel cancer can be treatable, especially when it’s found early.”

Click here to view Joe's story in its entirety. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cq0pEdFavko

Professor Padraic MacMathuna, Clinical Director of BowelScreen, said "BowelScreen is a valuable health check that can prevent cancer developing and save lives by finding cancer early. For most people, the FIT kit will be the only test needed. About 3% of people who do the BowelScreen test are referred for a follow-up colonoscopy. This is where we look for and remove pre-cancerous changes, called polyps, from the lining of the bowel. We know that most bowel cancers develop from polyps so by doing this we can prevent cancer."

You can read more about Bowel Screening by clicking the link below. If you have any questions, concerns, or you're experiencing any symptoms, contact your GP today.

https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/bowel-screening/screening-information/

20/03/2025

Wishing the U16 Boys team the very best of luck tomorrow, in the South Leinster B Final. A fantastic team we're delighted to support!

Best Of Luck to our U16 Boys Football Team who play Bunclody in the South Leinster B Final tomorrow. Boys have trained hard and we wish them all the best.Throw In is at 11.15 am in the Eire Og GAA grounds, Carlow.
O'Dempseys Gfc Portarlington GAA Club Gracefield GAA