Waterford v Cork Senior Hurling Challenge in aid of Brian Greene and Waterford Hospice
Waterford v Cork Senior Hurling Challenge in aid of Brian Greene and Waterford Hospice
Waterford and Cork will play a Senior Hurling Challenge at Fraher Field on Saturday, January 4 in aid of former Déise hurler Brian Greene and Waterford Hospice.
Brian was diagnosed with cancer in May, 2022 and is currently undergoing treatment. The match was launched at The Park Hotel in Dungarvan on Wednesday night. Tickets will be priced at €10. Throw in is at 5 o’clock.
Greene achieved Munster glory with both Waterford and Mount Sion in 2002. The number seven fell to his knees at the final whistle when the Déise won their first provincial title in 39 years against Tipperary at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
Sonya Kelly set up the Friends of Brian Greene group along with Pat Ryan. “Myself and Pat got together one Sunday afternoon and we started a GoFundMe page. Then I contacted Seán Daly and John Mullane and we went from there. The two lads have been absolutely fantastic. It’s been amazing to hear the support. Brian is having his scans and having his treatment. He’s coming along and doing well. This is just to help Brian and Debbie with the daily running of life and the various bills that everyone has to deal with. I’d like to thank everyone involved.”
Former Déise and Lismore forward Seán Daly has been one of the driving forces behind this event. “The GAA is a family organisation. When your family are in trouble, people rally around. For me, it’s supporting a friend. Plain and simple. No more than anybody else in the room here, we’re supporting somebody that wants our help right now. Let’s drive it on and make it a good night.”
Chairperson of Waterford Hospice Barbara Murphy is delighted to be associated with this game. “We provide a journey when people are in the palliative care unit for them and their family; to create memories for people at their end of their life. That is very important. If somebody wants a pizza party with all their friends, that’s what they get. We pay for that.”
Déise chairman Sean Michael O’Regan recalled Greene’s part in the 2002 Munster breakthrough. “The picture of Brian at the end of the game, that’s the way everybody was in the stands. The raw emotion that day after so many defeats, after so many years. To win a Munster final was huge and to have the Greene name associated with that was only fitting and proper.”
Current Waterford coach Dan Shanahan often marked the Mount Sion man in training. “If you got the better of Brian Greene, you were having a good night! I’m honoured to be here for such a good cause.” Players Austin Gleeson, PJ Fanning and Kieran Bennett as well as team secretary Ger Harris were also in attendance.
Cork coach and Cappoquin native Donal O’Rourke said that the Rebel players and management are happy to lend their support. “Whatever has to be done, we’ll do it. What Brian has, unfortunately has been under every roof in Ireland and has touched every family in Ireland.” Brendan Coleman, Ciarán Joyce, Niall O Leary and Ger Mellerick also represented Cork on the night.
