SEAN O’BRIEN WILL be on hand at Donnybrook Stadium on Saturday as a tag rugby event raises funds to support Aoife Beary, one of the students injured in the Berkeley balcony collapse last month.
Ireland and Leinster back row O’Brien will hand out prizes to the winning teams in the Aoife Beary Fun-Raiser Tag Tournament, while the likes of former Munster captain Donal Canniffe and ex-Ireland Women skipper Fiona Coghlan are set to play in the competition.
Aoife was celebrating her 21st birthday on the night of the tragic incident in the US, after which she was forced to undergo heart surgery. She remains in California, where she was moved to the Valley Medical Rehab Centre last week.
“Aoife continues to fight every day” said Eimear O’Doherty, Aoife’s cousin and a representative of the Aoife Beary Fun-Raiser Event. “She has a long road ahead of her and we’re just trying to do whatever we can to help.”
“We just want to bring some enjoyment, something positive, out of something so tragic. We’ve had massive support, so many people are giving up their time for free and 100% of the proceeds will go towards helping Aoife.”
“(Aoife is showing) great spirit after being reunited with her family. She still has a long fight ahead of her but even with a serious head injury and after emergency heart surgery, she is showing signs of recovery.”
The Aoife Beary Fun-Raiser Tag Event takes place at Donnybrook Stadium this Saturday, 25 July, from 11.00 to 18.00.
Supporter tickets for adults are €10 on the gate or online, while children under the age of 12 go free.
To register a team or purchase a supporters tickets visit www.eventbrite.ie and search for Aoife Beary, with a cost of €25 to play. Donations from those unable to attend can also be made at www.eventbrite.ie.
