GoFundMe campaign for Kildare man in US supported tomorrow by game and auction - all support for Vinnie Gilroy appreciated

Wednesday, 21 November was the 41st birthday of Kildare man, Vincent Gilroy, now residing in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. The 6’ 6” bar manager however, is recovering from open heart surgery and has more medical treatment to follow, not quite the birthday celebration he was expecting.

From Ballymore Eustace, Vincent aka Vinnie is a member of the Gilroy family whose contribution to sport and GAA in particular is enormous. With his height, it’s no surprise Vinnie played with the Irish U18 basketball squad, represented Kildare in the high jump at Community Games and national competition and also won a Junior B Championship title in football with Ballymore in 1994.

His dad Eugene was one of the key mentors with the famous Oliver Plunkett team (a combination of BME, Two Mile House and Eadestown youth, along with coaching many other successful BME teams). Vinnie’s brother Jarlath is perhaps the best known of the family, having represented his county at senior football, but as a coach, brought BME to claim a Leinster title and Two Mile House to take an All-Ireland Junior Club title.

“The Gilroy family including Vinnie have given so much to GAA and sport within our community, and indeed, the county” said BME GFC Chair, Natasha Halpin Graham. “All Vinnie’s siblings are at the heart of the GAA; they are key fundraisers, their children are now the new crop of players, they’ve served at committee level but are also key figures in athletics, boxing, the school, church, etc.

“Now it’s our turn to give something back, Vinnie needs our support as he recovers in hospital but will be facing huge medical expenses. On Sunday next, we are hosting a game, two BME championship winning teams, this year’s Championship Winning C team will face last year’s Championship A winning team, followed by an Auction in Paddy Murphy’s that evening”.

The game will be played at BME GAA grounds, commencing at 2.30pm with the Auction starting at 6.30pm in Paddy Murphy’s. Amongst the sporting items of interest is a Kildare jersey signed by Kildare All Ireland inaugural U20 winning team 2018. Auction starts at 6.30pm – all support appreciated.

Speaking to the Kildare Post/KildareNow, Vinnie’s sister Eileen thanked everyone for their good wishes and support to date. “Michael will be going out to him this Thursday, then I’ll go the following week and other family members are going out after Christmas. It all happened so quickly but thank God, he is alive and in recovery as an inpatient in hospital. The response has been amazing, we can’t thank people enough”.

A GoFundMe has been set up by Chris Galbadis and his friends in the USA, they wrote:

“Vincent Gilroy, everyone's favourite man behind the bar, everyone's friend, and the reason why the word "FUNCLE" was invented, underwent emergency open heart surgery on November 6. Those who have met him know that Vinnie is a guy that will give you the shirt off his back, he will loyally support a friend in any way needed, and he would jump in front of a bus if it would make a child laugh”. The post continued: “A contribution on GoFundMe not only helps Vincent with his medical bills and day-to-day expenses, but it also sends a message that we value and appreciate him, his friendship, and the way he makes us all feel when he's around”.

Log onto https://www.gofundme.com/VINCENTGILROY (Vincent’s Medical Expenses) and contribute, or join Ballymore GFC tomorrow, Sunday 24 for a BME face off between two championship winning teams at 2.30pm, followed by an Auction at 6.30pm in Paddy Murphy’s. All in aid of Vincent Gilroy’s recovery and medical bills.