Keane donation helps push O’Neill fund towards €50,000

Roy Keane has helped accelerate the PFAI’s fundraising efforts for Gary O’Neill.

The Irish football world has united since news emerged last month that Drogheda United striker O’Neill had been diagnosed with testicular cancer. When former Ireland captain Keane learned of the situation while home in Cork, he immediately rang fundraising co-ordinator James Chambers to lodge a donation.

While Keane’s pledge was substantial, understood to be €5,000, the gesture towards the pot by such a respected figure triggered a domino effect. Instead of the €35,000 amount originally forecast to be raised by next month, it is now estimated to soar north of €50,000.