Stars to shine at Brandywell in support of Mark Farren

History will be made at the Brandywell this afternoon as Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill and Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill will lead teams out in support of Mark Farren.

A Derry City Select will meet a Northern Ireland XI in a friendly game aimed at raising funds for the City legend, who is set to travel to Mexico on Monday to begin treatment on a Grade 4 brain tumour.

Football clubs and fans throughout the country have united in recent weeks to help raise funds for Farren’s treatment with over £70,000 being raised already, with this afternoon’s game set to be followed by a special dinner for the former striker at the Everglades tonight.

The game will feature big names such as James McClean, Paddy McCourt, Eunan O’Kane and former Derry City and current Republic of Ireland goalkeeper David Forde, as well as several other special guests.

McClean insisted he was only too happy to help out a former team mate and friend.

“I was only a young lad coming in and it was at the time Derry were in Europe and the place was buzzing,” he recalled.

“I was nervous but lads like Mark helped me feel settled right away.

“He was an experienced and vital part of the time and for someone like that to just speak to me and make me feel part of the team was great. It helped a lot.

“So for me, anything we can do to help Mark we’re more than happy to do. “

News of Farren’s latest battle was kept hidden until the family decided to go public just a few weeks ago, and McClean admits he was shocked to hear the news.

“As far as I was aware, he had the illness but he beat it and that was it and I heard nothing else since until the news came out recently,” he explained. “It’s devastating for Mark and his family but hopefully he has one big fight left in him. As a player and a person he was always a fighter and hopefully he can fight it again.”

“It’s testament to Mark as a person that so many people are rallying around to help him. He’s a great person and a great player. He’s the club’s all-time top scorer in the League of Ireland so to see everyone rallying around is great and it’s great for us to be able to help in any way.”

The game kicks off at 3:30pm. Tickets can be bought from the following outlets: Brandywell Stadium, Bentley Bar, Moran’s Centra (Strand Road), Jobby Crossan Sports, Myra’s (Culmore Road), Kernan’s Eurospar, Centra (Moville), Matt’s Chippy (Killea).

James McClean and Eunan O'Kane with Kevin McHugh and Ruairi Higgins at the launch of today's game. (Photo - Tom Heaney, nwpresspics)