A former gaelic football star is recovering in hospital after donating one of his kidneys to a friend.
Derry all-Ireland winner Joe Brolly, 42, donated the organ to Belfast PR executive and fellow GAA enthusiast Shane Finnegan.
The pair, who know each other from coaching an under-10s team at St Brigid’s gaelic club in Belfast, are recovering in Guy’s Hospital in London after the surgery earlier this week.
Two-time all-star Brolly, who now works as a barrister and TV sports pundit, approached Mr Finnegan when he heard he needed a live donor.
“I’m honoured to have been in the position to help Shane,” he said from hospital.
“He’s been waiting for a transplant for over six years and when I heard that the only possibility of one was through a live donor I contacted his medical team.
“And of course in my considered opinion it’s all going according to plan - and thankfully the doctors concur.”
Mr Finnegan, 40, has suffered from kidney problems for 20 years. Two previous transplants have failed - one of them after 12 years.
“Joe’s altruism is overwhelming and of course there are no words to thank him or his family for his wonderful gift,” said the father of three, who is a client director at leading Belfast public relations firm Aiken PR.
“I know it’s early days but I’m so relieved that it’s all going well for both of us so far.”
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