Fermanagh footballer Mark McGovern meets MLAs

FERMANAGH FOOTBALLER Mark McGovern, who suffered severe injuries in an off-the-ball incident in the United States, has returned home and met with a Sinn Féin delegation at Assembly Buildings at the invitation of deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness.

Twenty-three-year-old Mark McGovern was put in an induced coma because of the head injuries he sustained in June of last year in his first match in the US. At one stage his family was told he might not live. He suffered pneumonia and infection from the MRSA bug but survived.

He endured an 18-day journey by land and sea to get home to Belcoo because his condition means he cannot fly.

Mark’s medical costs have already exceeded €700,000. A website to raise money for his treatment has been set up at support4markmcgovern.com. After Mark and his family met with the Sinn Féin group at Assembly Buildings, Fermanagh & South Tyrone MLA Phil Flanagan said:

“I was delighted to welcome Mark to Stormont. The recovery he has made is inspirational and he is a credit to his family and friends and indeed to the whole community in Fermanagh.

“Martin McGuinness visited Mark in America when he was receiving treatment and the two met up again today at Martin’s request.

“The support that Mark has received from across Ireland following his attack has been amazing and I know how much it has meant to Mark and his family, who have been through hell and back. Thankfully, Mark is making great progress and is looking forward to the future, something that would not have been imaginable at one stage.”