McCue leading the way in supporting ex-professionals in times of hardship
The former Drogheda United manager is chairperson of the Irish Professional Footballers Benevolent Association.
Former Drogheda United boss Harry McCue today (Monday) launched the Irish Professional Footballers Benevolent Association at FAI headquarters in Abbotstown.
Founded in October 2023, the association aims to offer financial and medical assistance to ex-player, both male and female, across country.
The association believes there is a growing need for a coherent response within Irish football to tackle a wide range of challenges encountered by players, and they have received support from the PFAI and the FAI, as well receiving a sizeable donation from Soccer Writers Ireland at their annual banquet in December.
The urgency to address this issuehas been highlighted over the past two years by the serious health problems suffered by three-times capped Ireland senior international defender James ‘Jacko’ McDonagh who enjoyed a stellar career with Bohemians, Shamrock Rovers, Nimes in France and Derry City.
Within weeks of Jacko undergoing hospital care for the effects of a stroke and other medical issues in May, 2022, family, friends, ex-team mates at Shamrock Rovers, former opponents and the wider Irish football community rallied to his cause.
To date, a substantial five figure amount has been raised through a series of initiatives by countless people and groups which has been crucial in providing the 61-year-old with long term residential care.
In the wake of this work, the IPFBA believes that it is time for Irish football to establish an organisation that can help players deal with challenges, both medical and financial.
“When we learned of the terrible news about Jacko McDonagh’s illness, a group of his former team mates and players from other clubs quickly mobilised to support him and his family,” said McCue, who lead Drogheda United to the First Division title in 2002.
“The heartfelt response from hundreds of people within football and from the wider public allowed the establishment of a financial fund to help Jacko in dealing with his day to day life.
“As a result of this initiative, ex-League of Ireland players decided to expand this initial work by creating our new organisation, the Irish Professional Footballers Benevolent Association.
He added: “We know that there is a well of support for our aims and we have already received donations of more than €8,000 from the annual awards’ dinners of PFA Ireland and Soccer Writers Ireland and the guests at Charlie O’Leary’s 100th birthday party for which we are most grateful.
“Now it’s time to push on and extend the hand of assistance. Our motto reads ‘Reaching Out’ and we are ready to do this to both men and women who have played the game in this country.”
IPFBA are planning to organise a golf classic later this year and their fundraising efforts will continue, working alongside clubs, groups and organisations from across Irish football.
Stephen McGuinness, general secretary of PFA Ireland has been assisting the group from the very formative days of establishing the new organisation. He says the PFAI will continue to lend help going forward.
“The Irish Professional Footballers Benevolent Association is a great addition to support players who have finished their professional football careers,” said McGuinness.
“We have been involved from the outset to help with the establishment of the organisation and will continue to provide our expertise and support as it develops into the future. We trust that the organisation will be a great support for former players in their time of need.”
FAI President Paul Cooke said: "It is important that former professional players are supported when facing challenges,” stated Paul Cooke.
McCue’s central role in the IPFBA continues his family’s tradition of being at the forefront of player welfare issues with his father, Harry senior, a founding member of the Professional Footballers Association of Ireland (PFAI) in 1961.
Former Drogheda United player-manager Martin Lawlor is involved with IPFBA, acting as Secretary, while another ex-Drog Harry Kenny, serves on the committee alongside Conan Byrne, Terry Eviston, Pat Fenlon, Carmel McNulty, Aine O’Gorman, Pat Byrne, Robbie Gaffney, Kieron Maher, Anto Whelan and Alan O’Neill.
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Great initiative - great to see Anto Whelan (another former Drogheda United manager) involved