Sir Alex influential in kicking off benefit game for tragic Liam
SIR Alex Ferguson has been “influential” in setting up the Liam Miller tribute match that will be played in the former Celtic and Manchester United midfielder’s native Cork this afternoon despite suffering a brain haemorrhage in May, it has been revealed.
Sir Alex made his longawaited return to Old Trafford on Saturday less than five months after undergoing emergency surgery and received a warm reception from United supporters before their Premier League fixture with Wolves.
But Michael O’Flynn, the chairman of the benefit game’s organising committee, has told how the Scot has been one of the driving forces behind the event.
A Celtic/Republic of Ireland greats side, which will feature Damien Duff, John Hartson, Robbie Keane, Paul Lambert and Stiliyan Petrov, will take on a Manchester United legends team, that will comprise Andy Cole, Rio Ferdinand, Ryan Giggs, Roy Keane and Paul Scholes, in front of a sell-out 45,000 crowd at Pairc Ui Chaoimh.
The game will raise money for the family of Miller, the ex-Ireland internationalist who passed away from pancreatic cancer aged 36 in February, as well as several charities.
Mr O’Flynn, a lifelong friend of the Miller family and local property developer, has recalled how Sir Alex has been heavily involved in the benefit match despite the fact he was recovering from his health scare.
“I met Sir Alex Ferguson at Cheltenham in March and told him we were thinking of doing something,” he said. “He was immediately on board. He called Liam a lovely lad and said he would love to help.
“He was instrumental in this happening. He helped get it started and did a lot of good work before he got ill. But he has been in contact again with me recently. I have spoken to him in the run-up to the event. He has given me a note for the programme. He was very hopeful a month ago that he might make it but unfortunately his doctor hasn’t agreed to the travel. But he has been very interested and connected.
“I have had several contacts with him in the last few weeks. I have been very impressed with his sincerity in following through on it. He has supported it in every way – including making his own contribution. That is how genuine he has been about helping the family and the charities.”
The Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) in Ireland prohibits any other sport being played in its grounds. Yet the GAA bowed to considerable public pressure and agreed to the match going ahead at Pairc Ui Chaoimh.
“There was an outcry about