Brolly’s kidney donation fails

The kidney All-Ireland winner Joe Brolly donated to a close friend has failed to be successfully trans-planted.

The former Derry star underwent major surgery to donate one of his kidneys to close friend and Belfast-based PR executive Shane Finnegan on Oct 3.

The operation, which is not expected to impact on the 42-year-old TV pundit’s health, initially appeared to be a success.

However, after complications arose last week, the donated organ was removed from the 40-year-old father of three on Friday, the Belfast NHS Health Trust confirmed last night.

“We can confirm that Mr Brolly is recovering very well having donated his kidney on Oct 3,” said a spokesperson.

“However, sadly, after initially functioning well, there were complications with the transplant and the kidney had to be removed on Oct 12.”

Mr Brolly and Mr Finnegan became friends after jointly coaching an U10s team at St Brigid’s in Belfast.

After learning of Mr Finnegan’s condition, Mr Brolly offered to go under the knife in an attempt to aid his recovery.

Mr Finnegan has suffered from kidney difficulties for two decades.

This is the third transplant his body has rejected — despite the fact most kidneys from a living donor work successfully for years.