Sports celebrities ship messages of help to Cork GAA stalwart who broke neck
Up to 50 celebrities from the world of sport have despatched messages of help for a GAA stalwart who broke his neck final 12 months.
Michael Cronin ended up combating for his life after he fell off a roof whereas engaged on a constructing web site final November 18, the day earlier than his 52nd birthday.
He broke two vertebrae within the fall and the father-of-two, from Bishopstown, Co Cork, is now paralysed from the shoulders down.
He will want round the clock take care of the remainder of his life, and his home must be refurbished to accommodate his new particular wants.
To assist him, whereas he’s nonetheless in Cork University Hospital, get by means of what associates say could be some “dark” days, a big group of sports activities figures has despatched him messages through his associates or different members of the GAA.
Those who’ve despatched messages embrace soccer legends Paul McGrath, Jason McAteer, John Aldridge, Robbie Fowler, and Ronan O’Gara.
Messages have additionally are available for the development foreman from Munster Rugby Club star Jean Kleyn and Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher.
Jason McAteer instructed him to “preserve combating [and] keep sturdy” whereas Ronan O’Gara instructed him “adversity causes some individuals to interrupt, others break information. Be sturdy.”
Just 4 days after the accident, the U16 Bishopstown GAA soccer staff — for which Mr Cronin was a coach and selector — performed the Premier 2 county last and defeated Aghada.
His son Sean, the staff’s goalkeeper, captained the staff.
Such had been his accidents that Mr Cronin could not use his diaphragm for some time, so he was on a ventilator for 10 weeks.
Since then, he is realized to breathe by himself, how one can discuss and how one can eat once more.
Friend Ryan McCarthy mentioned: “Inside Cork University Hospital, he is very slowly come round into himself.
“Mick’s household had been all numb following the accident, and as a distraction for Mick, we sought to get a couple of recorded video messages of help for him.
“Paul McGrath, Ronan O’Gara, Johnny Sexton, Robbie Fowler, John Aldridge and Caoimhin Kelleher had been a number of the variety and beneficiant those who obtained again to us — we have near 50 messages of help for Mick at this stage.
“His spouse Karen says each time she goes in and performs a brand new message somebody information for him, it offers him a little bit of focus and little elevate.
Brian Cuthbert, former Cork senior soccer supervisor and now membership chairman, Mr Cuthbert’s brother Pat, who takes groups with Mr Cronin in Bishopstown GAA Club and the membership secretary Alan O’ Sullivan began a help group for Mr Cronin.
The first of many fundraising occasions is #MatchesforMick, two days of matches for all groups within the membership from U6 as much as seniors, boys, ladies, women and men, hurling and soccer, with groups from 15 GAA golf equipment over March 17 and 18.
For particulars, go to bishopstowngaa.com.
