Hanley brothers race home for support

PEARCE Hanley has been granted compassionate leave after carrying the heartbreaking news of his terminally ill brother’s deteriorating condition into his debut for the Suns.

Hanley and his brother Cian, who plays for the Lions, are racing home to Ireland to be with younger brother Tom.

Hanley has many fond memories of QClashes, having won two Marcus Ashcroft medals in his time as a Lion but he was burdened in his first game against his old club with a terrible secret.

Cian Hanley played his first game for the Lions in the NEAFL curtain-raiser against the Suns after two injuryplagued years and the Hanleys decided to spare him the news until after he’d made his debut.

The brothers shared an emotional reunion at Metricon Stadium on Saturday night. Cian and Tom are best mates.

Pearce is expected to miss a minimum of two matches for the Suns but no time frame has been placed on his return by the club. The Suns play GWS in Sydney next week before returning to Metricon Stadium to take on Hawthorn.

The clubs provided a joint statement last night.

“The Gold Coast Suns and Brisbane Lions Football clubs wish to advise that Pearce and Cian Hanley will return to Ireland to deal with a private family matter,” the statement read.

“The Suns and Lions will provide all the support the family needs during this challenging time. Both clubs ask that the media respect the privacy of the players and the Hanley family at this time.”

The Hanley brothers returned to Ireland over Christmas to spend with Tom.

Movie star Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson threw spotlight on Tom’s battle with stage 4 cancer in December when he sent a video message.