Mark McGovern fundraising screening
November 29, 2011The documentary
The documentary gives a fly-on-the-wall view of the New York Senior Gaelic football team in the lead up to their First Round Connacht Senior Football Championship Qualifier against Roscommon.
It provides a rare insight into the dressing room of an inter-county football setup and the lives of the Irish players in New York. Former GAA Director General Liam Mulvihill, and All-Ireland winners, Mickey Coleman (Tyrone 2003), Kevin Moran (Dublin 1976 & 1978) and Darragh Ó Sé (1997, 2000, 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2009) and Jack O'Connor (2004, 2006, 2009) contribute to the documentary as well players and management of the New York team.
While the sporting aspect is key, the documentary focuses on immigration and how Gaelic football brings these Irish people together in New York.
It is directed by Niall McCann, whose debut feature entitled 'Art Will Save the World,' on singer Luke Haines will premiere at film Festivals in the New Year.
Mark McGovern
The fundraiser is in support of Mark McGovern. He arrived in San Francisco on 20th June to play football with the Ulster Club. Five days later in his first match against Celts he was struck in an off-the-ball incident and was knocked out.
Mark suffered seizures on the pitch and was frothing at the mouth before being rushed to San Francisco General Hospital. He was placed on a life support machine having suffered a brain injury. He contracted pneumonia, which was life threatening and his family were told Mark had less than 5% survival rate.
Unfortunately Mark also contracted an MRSA bug and a liver condition which he fought. His family sat by his side and spoke to him while he was in a coma for over 4 weeks. Mark's MRI results were devastating, as doctors said he would never be the same again and may never return home. Mark defied the doctor's predictions.
Coming out of his coma Mark had to learn how to walk and talk again. His left side was notably weaker than his right and had to be strengthened. Mark's girlfriend Jessica got him talking again. On 18th August Mark was transferred to an acute rehab centre, The Laguna Honda receiving physiotherapy and occupational and speech therapy.
Mark became an outpatient after 2 weeks of intense therapy and went home whilst returning to Laguna Honda 3 to 4 times a week. He amazed doctors with his recovery. One doctor compared Mark's injuries to a 60 mile an hour head on car collision where most patients don't make it to the hospital. After 8 weeks as an outpatient he went home but due to Mark's brain injury it was decided not to fly. He travelled from San Francisco to New York by train and from New York to Southampton by boat. Finally, he travelled to Holyhead to get the boat to Dublin and then home to Belcoo.
Mark will never play football again but wishes to be involved in any capacity to be part of the team. Mark continues to improve, with physiotherapy three times a week and speech and occupational therapy once a week. His medical costs exceed €700.000.
Tickets are €15, and with the proceeds from a raffle on the night with GAA clubs around the world donating jerseys and a few inter-county jerseys, and a signed Dublin jersey will be raffled as well as Provincial final tickets next year. Tweet
