Almost 100 footballers are set to come out of retirement this afternoon to play in the ‘Together For Ger’ exhibition match in Claremorris at 3pm, writes Conor Breslin.
The game is being organised as ‘a show of support’ to Ger Brady, who was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease last August.
The match is set to feature a selection of Mayo legends such as Keith Higgins, Andy Moran, and James Horan, John Maughan and Conor Mortimer.
Brady (44) was an outstanding forward with Claremorris for many years and also represented Mayo at minor, U-21 and senior level.
The game will see a Mayo selection lining up against a Claremorris outfit — with both comprised largely of players who hung up their boots many years ago.
In February, his family set up a gofundme page to help with the medical care and ongoing support for Brady.
To date the fundraising the fund has raised €184,681 with his home club and county rowing in behind the initiative.
The Mayo selection was rounded up by Ger Brady of Ballina Stephenites, his former Mayo minor teammate.
“My job was to put together a former Mayo players’ team, guys that Gerry would have played with during his Mayo days at minor level and also lads who would have played for Mayo at senior level from all over the country,” he explained in The Mayo News.
“They’ve all put their hands up and said, ‘Yeah, we’ll be there’.
“We’re all there to support Ger, his wife Karen and baby Dylan . . . and have a bit of fun as well.
“That’s a big part of what we’re doing on Saturday. We’re there to tog out, put on the boots again and put a smile on Ger’s face.
“A few of us haven’t put the boots on for a long time so there may be a few people there who aren’t as mobile as people remember us,” laughed Ger.
“But we’re coming! And we’ll have a bit of craic.
“Everyone just wants to be part of the day. Lads just want to get on the pitch for five or ten minutes. It just goes to show what people in the local community think of Ger Brady.”
MAYO SQUAD
James Horan, John Maughan, Conor Mortimer, Mickey Conroy, Keith Higgins, Trevor Mortimer, James Gill, Kevin O’Neill, David Brady, Alan Dillon, Ger Brady, Pat Kelly, Brian Maloney, John Madden, Andy Moran, Noel Connelly, Ray Connelly, Declan Sweeney, Enda Lavelle, Alan Costello, Colm Reilly, Greg Mulkerrins, Fintan McHale, Paul Navin, Niall Dunne, John Feeney, Kieran Kilkenny, David Lynch, Brendan Prendergast.
CLAREMORRIS SQUAD
Johnny Cummins, Martin McNamara, Dave Kilkenny, Patrick Finnegan, Alan Roche, Gary Mullins, Kevin Beirne, Aidan Butler, Richie Bell, Sean Prendergast, Martin Maloney, Dermot Costello, Kenneth Mortimer, Pat Grogan, Paul Navin, Brian Brogan, Pauric Ring, James O’Boyle, Shane Prendergast, Mikey Gallagher, Carlos O’Gara, Kevin Costello, Eoin Waldron, Greg Mulkerrins, Karl Boyle, Danny Broderick, John Connolly, James Shaughnessy, Brendan French, Conor O’Boyle, Ciaran O’Harte, Shane Meehan, Mark Reapy, Cathal Heneghan, Mark O’Brien, Shane Crowe, Barry O’Neill, Gary Gallagher, Micky Mullins, Brian Naughton, Paul Ryan, Tomas Reilly, Anthony Joyce, Vinnie Joyce, Rory Charles, Noel Doherty, Aidan Brogan, John Sheridan, Peter O’Dwyer, Mark Walsh, Pete Walsh, Daire Egan, Ernie Lynn, Enda Nolan, Ogie Horgan, Paddy Travers, Tadhg Boyle, Padraig Reilly, Ferghal Carroll.
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