GAA News

The transplant that saw Joe Brolly donate a kidney to his friend and clubmate has failed only days after the operation took place.

The controversial Gaelic Football pundit earned plenty of plaudits for his decision to donate one of his kidneys to his friend and club mate Shane Finnegan, with whom he coaches the St.Brigid’s GAA under-10 team in Belfast.

Sadly, according to the Belfast Health Trust, the organ donated by Brolly stopped working and was removed in a London Hospital on Friday after complications.

"We can confirm that Mr Brolly is recovering very well having donated his kidney on 3 October," said a trust spokeswoman.

"However, sadly after initially functioning well, there were complications with the transplant and the kidney had to be removed on 12 October."

40-year old Finnegan has been experiencing health problems for 20 years and this is the third transplant that has failed, but he hopes to resume a normal family and working life in the near future.

"This is a rare and unfortunate occurrence after kidney transplantation, and whilst both families are naturally devastated, they are hugely encouraged by the massive wave of goodwill and support from the community and the resultant increased public awareness of the critical importance of organ donation," the spokeswoman added.

"Mr Finnegan is confident that with the continued support of family and friends he will be home soon and able to resume a full family and work life.

"Both Shane and Joe are very keen to support the trust's campaign for organ donation and when fit and ready have agreed to spearhead a drive to increase the number of donors. For both men and their families, this has been a life affirming experience."

Sadly, it hasn’t worked out for Finnegan on this occasion, but Brolly deserves huge credit for such a generous and selfless gesture and GAA fans will do well to remember it before inevitably queuing up to spit fire at the always controversial Derry native next season.