Mark Farren.
A DERRY City XI will travel to north Armagh this week for a fundraising game for former star player Mark Farren.
The Candystripes will take on Glenavon at Mourneview Park this Thursday, May 7.
The match against Gary Hamilton’s team will kick off at 7.45 pm.
His former teammates from Derry City’s memorable UEFA Cup campaign in the 2006/7 season when they defeated IFK Gothenburg and SPL side Gretna to qualify for the first round proper, drawing 0-0 with PSG at the Brandywell before losing 2-0 in Paris.
It’s hoped that as many as possible of that Derry City side, which included Eddie McCallion, Barry Molloy, Stephen O’Flynn, Kevin McHugh, Ciaran Martyn, Ken Oman, Ruaidhri Higgins and Paddy McCourt, will feature in the game against the current Glenavon first team.
Admission will be adults £10, concessions £7 and primary school children £5 with all proceeds to the Mark Farren Treatment fund.
There will also be a bucket collection taken up by Glenavon players and management for those who wish to make a further donation to the fund.
“Glenavon FC would encourage as many supporters as possible to attend the match and help support this fundraising effort for our former player Mark Farren.
Gary Hamilton personally asked for your support, “I’m sure all the good people around the club will come out and support Mark in this very serious situation in his life.”
Mark Farren played a season for the Lurgan Blues during his career.
All proceeds raised from the game will go to the Mark Farren Treatment Fund.
The former City star is battling a brain tumour at present.
Surgeons removed 80 to 90 per cent of a tumour in his latest operation, but the procedure has had an effect on the 33-year-old Donegal native’s speech and mobility.
The biopsy that followed has indicated that the tumour is a grade four, which means it’s highly aggressive.
Farren is seeking medical assistance from an elite cancer centre in Germany and the six-week treatment programme, which costs approximately €30,000, is seen as his best chance of saving or at least prolonging his life.
“After six years of fighting against a life-threatening condition, Derry City legend Mark Farren needs your help,” said his family in a statement.
“Mark’s third surgery took place a month ago and surgeons removed 80-90% of a tumour. The invasive nature of the tumour has had a stunting effect on his speech and mobility. The biopsy which followed has indicated that the tumour is a grade 4, meaning it’s highly aggressive.
“Being no stranger to thinking outside the box, Mark is seeking medical assistance from an elite cancer centre in Germany. The six week treatment programme is his best chance of saving or at least prolonging his life. Treatment will cost approximately €30,000.
“This is the one goal with which Mark needs our help and any contribution is greatly appreciated.
“Over the coming weeks there will be a number of fundraising activities led by Mark’s former team mates Kevin McHugh, Ruaidhri Higgins and Ciaran Martyn, along with PFA Ireland and other sporting bodies, including Mark’s former clubs Derry City and Glenavon.”
Farren scored more than a goal a game in a prolific nine year spell with the Foylesiders, eventually surpassing Liam Coyle’s club record of 113 goals.
He was named the PFAI’s Player of the Year in 2005 and although he retired from the game in May 2011 after he was diagnosed with a tumour, he returned to the Derry squad the following September before joining Glenavon early in 2013.
Please help him: €2,000 has already been raised.
You can donate here:
http://gogetfunding.com/project/mark-farrens-treatment-fund