Former Derry footballer's kidney removed from friend after transplant

A transplant operation that saw former Gaelic football star Joe Brolly donate a kidney to his friend has failed, a relative has said.

The organ that was transplanted into Belfast PR executive Shane Finnegan earlier this month stopped working and was removed in a London hospital on Friday.

Derry all-Ireland winner Brolly, 42, and Mr Finnegan, 40, know each other from coaching an U-10s team at St Brigid’s GAA club in Belfast.

Two-time all-star Brolly was lauded for his altruism after the gesture.

Now a barrister and TV sports pundit, he had approached Mr Finnegan when he heard he needed a live donor.

Father of three Mr Finnegan, 40, has suffered from kidney problems for 20 years. This is the third transplant that has failed.