Waterford and Cork hurlers rally behind Brian Greene
Brian Greene celebrates with his father Jim after Mount Sion won the Munster Club back in 2002. Photo: INPHO
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.
Greene 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. He hurled at senior inter county level between 1990 and 2003 and represented Munster in the Railway Cup.
Brian’s father Jim said that the family will be forever indebted to the organising committee of Sonya Kelly, Seán Daly and John Mullane. “It’s something that nobody could do only the GAA because of the respect and the love that breathes between us. There’s no such thing as enemies in the GAA. Off the field, we’re a family.”
Jim believes that the match in January will lift the pressure on Brian and his wife Debbie. “He is two and a half years now with cancer. He hasn’t worked, he is not able to work. This will ease that burden. I wish that I could blink and get this to go away but that’s not going to happen. As he said himself, he is living with cancer and not dying from it. He has kept that attitude towards it, very positive. His wife Debbie has been better than a doctor. That has helped along the way. At the minute, the news is very good with his recovery.”
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 and John 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.”
John Mullane wants to see a big turnout in Dungarvan on January 4. “We’re always looking for something to do in the immediate aftermath of Christmas. We get fed up of the turkey, the tins of Roses and the USA biscuits! Under lights in Dungarvan, I think you’ll see a huge crowd. It’s all about giving something back. That’s what we do in Waterford.
"It’s not about De La Salle or Mount Sion or Ballygunner or Lismore. When people are struggling, when people need a dig out, we all row in together and we help out. That’s what we’re doing.”
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.
