THE AVIVA STADIUM will host a legends game between former Liverpool and Ireland players next month, all to raise funds to help aid the recovery of Reds supporter Seán Cox.
The father-of-three suffered serious head injuries after being attacked before Liverpool’s Champions League semi-final against AS Roma. He is continuing his ongoing recovery at the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dún Laoghaire.
On Monday in Dublin his wife Martina and son Jack were joined by former Reds legends Ian Rush and Jason McAteer to launch the Seán Cox Fundraiser, which will take place on 12 April.
Newly-appointed Ireland manager Mick McCarthy will take charge of the Ireland Legends XI, which will feature McAteer, Phil Babb, John Aldridge and Robbie Keane, who will all play for both teams in the match — having all worn the green and red with distinction.
Former internationals Kevin Kilbane, Kenny Cunningham, Lee Carsley, Ian Harte, Stephen Hunt, and Kevin Doyle will feature of Ireland with more names still to be confirmed.
Champions League winners in Istanbul Jerzy Dudek, Vladimir Smicer and Djibril Cisse will be joined by the likes of Rush and Robbie Fowler for Liverpool for the game at Lansdowne Road in a month’s time.
“I’ve watched Ireland play in the stadium numerous times, and was disappointed to never get the chance to play here,” McAteer said. “When the opportunity came about to play in this game, I couldn’t turn it down.
“We will be playing to raise as much money as we can for the Seán Cox Rehabilitation Trust. I’m honoured to have been asked to play in this game.”
Martina Cox provided an update on her husband’s progress on Monday, thanking all those who have made donations big and small for their help and support over the last number of months.
“Seán has made encouraging progress in the last couple of months. He can do things now that he wouldn’t have been able to do a couple of months ago,” she said.
“He can talk a little, he has more movement. We don’t know whether he will walk again but we’re encouraging him every step of the way. He is going to need a huge amount of rehabilitation going forward.”
The game at the Aviva Stadium will kick off at 7.45pm and ticket prices will start at €20 for adults, U16s will be €10 and a family ticket (two adults and two children) will be priced at €70.
Tickets for the game go on general sale via Ticketmaster on 14 February at 10am with pre-sales for FAI Season Ticket holders going on sale on 12 February at 10am.
You can donate to the Support Seán Cox GoFundMe page here.
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