There is nothing quite like sport to bring people together in tough times, and that phenomena will be on display once again this weekend. On Sunday afternoon old rivals Meath and Dublin will take to the pitch to raise some much needed money for the Sean Cox Fund, in front of what is hoped will be a big Pairc Tailteann crowd.
Sean suffered life-changing brain injuries earlier this year when he was attacked by travelling supporters outside Anfield prior to Liverpool's Champions League semi-final against Roma, starting what has been a long road for him and his family.
While he will continue his recovery in the National Rehabilitation Centre in Dun Laoghaire until early next year, the Sean Cox Fund was set up to help raise the money required to continue his treatment once he leaves the facility. The goal is to raise €2million.
While Sean's injuries came in the arena of sport, sport has played a massive part in the next step of his journey. We have seen donations from high profile figures such as Jürgen Klopp and Seamus Coleman, while bucket collections also took place outside Anfield recently.
This Sunday's game is the largest fundraising effort yet, with Meath and Dublin set to face off in an attempt to raise up to €100,000.
Sean was heavily involved with his local GAA club St Peter's Dunboyne, spending a three year spell as club chairman. He was one of the club members who helped bring about the success they experienced this year, winning the Meath Senior Championship for the first time since 2005.
He is also an avid Dublin fan, and actually played club football with current Dubs manager Jim Gavin a number of years ago.
Speaking to GAA.ie, current Dunboyne Chairman Fergus McNulty described the impact this match has had in the community:
The response has been overwhelming not just around the community, I would say the whole sporting community.
The GAA family, but also soccer and so on right across the globe. Sport has that ability to unify so regardless of whatever colours you support it really does connect everyone.
That is really the way it should be. It brings into contrast what Sean encountered back in April when it was anything, but that.
So I think we are keen to show here is how you get two great rivals coming together with supporters, who are passionate about their colours, but that we can all sit under the one roof to enjoy the spectacle.
Obviously Dublin and Meath is a well worn rivarly so I think it is attractive. The All Ireland champions don't come down to Navan too often and I think Sean's story has resonated right across all sporting communities, but particularly the GAA. Sean has quite close connections with Dublin GAA, but is formerly a Chairman of Dunboyne.
Tickets for the Sean Cox Fund Charity Match can be purchased here, at a price of €20 for adults and €5 for children. Throw-in is at 1.30pm, so please head along and support this fantastic cause.
