A fundraising appeal has been launched in aid of a prominent football manager in Clare.
In March of this year, sixty year old Ger Lawlor suffered a stroke and has been left paralysed on his left side and bound to a wheelchair. Having spent time in numerous hospitals and in rehab, Ger is currently in Cratloe Nursing Home.
To raise much-needed funds to help Ger and his wife Majella get through this tough expensive time, Emo GAA are holding a golf classic at Portarlington Golf Club on Friday, September 11. Teams of four are €160 and tee boxes can be purchased at €100. €5 tickets will also be on sale.
“As a result of the stroke he is now deemed long-term care and will live out his life in a nursing home or at home with numerous carers,” a letter circulated by the fundraising committee detailed.
Ger was part of the Laois football team that reached the Leinster final in 1981 and won the National League in 1986. He also played in senior county finals with Emo in 1986 and 1994. Post playing, he got involved in management and continued this when he moved to Co Clare.
He managed Limerick club Monaleen to four county senior titles and a provincial final appearance in 2002. Lawlor spent a year in charge of Kilmurry Ibrickane and also guided Cooraclare to their last Clare SFC decider when they lost out to St Josephs Miltown in 2015. He has also been involved with Wolfe Tones and Cratloe along with having roles Oola and the Limerick U21 footballers.
Urging people of Clare, Limerick and Laois to get involved in the fundraiser, the letter stated, “He has given his life to the GAA and now in his time of need we are looking to show him some support and show him the true colours of the GAA community”.
Cratloe GAA club have urged its members to lend their support to the cause. “There’s a lot of love and respect for Ger in Cratloe and the Clare and Limerick GAA circuit,” a member of the club executive stated.
Thus far, over €8.400 has been raised in the efforts through a GoFundMe link that is running in conjunction with the golf classic to fund Ger’s ongoing care.
