Sports stars rally for injured hero

RUGBY legend Keith Wood headed up a galaxy of sports stars in the Silversprings Hotel Cork last night as they gathered for a fundraising dinner in aid of injured rugby player Mick O’Connell.

The theme of last night's function was The Wearing of the Red and witnessed a gathering of sporting celebrities, past and present, who have worn the red jersey with distinction for Cork in hurling and football and for Munster in rugby.

O'Connell suffered a serious spinal injury playing for his club Dolphin a year ago and was left fighting for his life in Cork University Hospital for the following two months.

His condition improved sufficiently to allow him to be moved to the National Rehabilitation Centre in Dun Laoghaire, where he is receiving specialist care. O'Connell is paralysed from the chest down with only limited movement in his right hand and he will need full-time care for life.

Last May, a fundraising drive and Irish Examiner-sponsored fun run raised 550,000 for the Mick O'Connell fund, surpassing the target of 500,000.

O'Connell was guest of honour among a crowd of 600 in hotel last night and was accompanied by an array of sporting talent from three different codes. Wood, who retired from all rugby when Ireland were knocked out of the World Cup a few weeks ago, was joined by fellow Irish internationals Ronan O'Gara, Peter Stringer, John Kelly, Anthony Horgan, Donncha O'Callaghan, Frankie Sheahan and Munster captain Jim Williams. Cork football manager Billy Morgan was there, as was hurling counterpart Donal O'Grady and Rebel stars Alan Browne, Donal Óg Cusack and Diarmuid O'Sullivan.

The event was sponsored by the Irish Examiner and chief executive Tom Murphy spoke of how happy the paper was to support such a worthy cause. "Tonight is a night about Mick O'Connell a young man who suffered the most serious of injuries, playing a sport that he loves. This is the situation anyone of us is always fearful of, no matter what code is being played," said Mr Murphy.

"Just as sport is an integral part of all our lives, it is an important part of the heritage of the Irish Examiner. We saw this as a way of putting something back into sport, a topic which fills many of our pages on a daily basis."

Former Irish international Donal Lenihan was MC and he spoke of how important it was that sports people look out for one of their own. "Anyone who has played sport will tell you that serious injury is something we all fear. Mick has showed tremendous courage in the face of incredible adversity and it is wonderful to see sporting people from different codes join together to help give Mick a better quality of life."

Following the dinner, a special auction and raffle were held and the formalities were concluded by guest speakers Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh and Keith Wood.