A new group dedicated to assisting former Irish footballers who have fallen on tough times was launched at FAI headquarters on the Sport Ireland Campus.
The Irish Professional Footballers Benevolent Association [IPFBA] was founded back in October as a response to a range of issues encountered by ex-players.
Its members say the urgency to address this issue was highlighted by the health problems suffered by former Republic of Ireland defender James 'Jacko' McDonagh who enjoyed a long and successful career with Bohemians, Shamrock Rovers, Nimes in France and Derry City.
McDonagh, 61, suffered a stroke in May 2022. He requires long-term care, with the wider Irish football community rallying around the much-loved and respected Dubliner to help his cause.
His plight ultimately led to the formation of the IPFBA which aims to help players deal with medical and financial challenges.
The committee is made up of several leading Irish footballing figures including Conan Byrne, Pat Byrne, Terry Eviston, Pat Fenlon, Robbie Gaffney, Harry Kenny, Carmel McNulty, Kieron Maher, Áine O'Gorman, Alan O’Neill and Anto Whelan.
Former League of Ireland player Harry McCue is chairperson, wth ex-Ireland women's international Linda Gorman vice-chair. Dundalk FC great Martin Lawlor will act as secretary.
"When we learned of the terrible news about Jacko McDonagh’s illness, a group of his former team mates and players from other clubs quickly mobilised to support him and his family," said McCue, whose father Harry senior was a founding member of the Professional Footballers Association of Ireland [PFAI] in 1961.
"The heartfelt response from hundreds of people within football and from the wider public allowed the establishment of a financial fund to help Jacko in dealing with his day to day life. As a result of this initiative, ex-League of Ireland players decided to expand this initial work by creating our new organisation, the Irish Professional Footballers Benevolent Association.
"We know that there is a well of support for our aims and we have already received donations of more than €8,000 from the annual awards’ dinners of PFA Ireland and Soccer Writers Ireland and the guests at Charlie O’Leary’s 100th birthday party for which we are most grateful.
"Now it’s time to push on and extend the hand of assistance. Our motto reads ‘Reaching Out’ and we are ready to do this to both men and women who have played the game in this country.
"We will organise a golf classic later in the year and we will continue to require the help from every strand of Irish football to support our forthcoming fund raising events. Already, we have received the welcome and valuable backing of the FAI and PFAI Ireland."
Stephen McGuinness, general secretary of PFAI, has given his organisation’s full backing to the newly formed group.
"The Irish Professional Footballers Benevolent Association is a great addition to support players who have finished their professional football careers," he said.
"We have been involved from the outset to help with the establishment of the organisation and will continue to provide our expertise and support as it develops into the future. We trust that the organisation will be a great support for former players in their time of need."
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