Fermanagh GAA player Mark McGovern has woken up from a coma, according to reports.
The 22-year-old was seriously injured in an off-the-ball incident during a football match in San Francisco in June.
He had been showing positive signs in recent weeks and his family hope he will make a full recovery.
His sister Helen told the BBC: "We are delighted that he has opened his eyes and been able to communicate. He hasn't been able to talk yet, however, he can whisper slowly and we can lip read if he wants something.
"It's small steps but certainly the right steps and we are happy. We hope he makes a full recovery."
But despite the improvement, the long-term impact of the injury is not clear.
Helen McGovern added: "The doctors have said to be patient and even at this stage we do not know what brain injury Mark has and how it will affect him.
"We think that his memory seems to be okay, but the doctors can not give any definite answers as to how he will be in the long term and what long term affects he may have.
"Mark does like us being there with him, he's never been left on his own. The doctors and nurses have been very nice at the hospital.
"They have allowed one of us to stay overnight with Mark each night since he has become more alert. We don't want him to be alone."
Police investigating the case recently named a "person of interest" thought to have been involved in the off-the-ball incident that led to the injury.
