By Neil Murphy
March 29 2011

Neil Murphy suffered severe brain damage in 2008 which now leaves him struggling to walk unaided. This Benefit Match is to raise funds for his care.   Neil has sent us this message and updates about the event.  We hope as many of you can get along as possible. 

Dearest all

Not withstanding that I will be the ultimate beneficiary the rugby is going exceptionally well and for me it has been great to use my brain again for the first time in three years.

We have launched a special website which only has the player profiles to be changed the players won't be wearing numbers and the attached player profiles should be included the address is www.neilmurphyrugby.co.uk

As parking of cars at the ground is limited I have been asked to ask as many of you as possible to go green and arrive by public transport if you are arriving by car please do not park in the Virgin Active car park and follow the instructions given by the security guards.  I will give a free Tee Shirt to anyone who can explain how a Virgin can be active?

Yesterday yet another example of why rugby is such a great sport as opposed to a certain round ball sport played by primadonna  overpaid premier league footballers the London Irish professionals held a whip round in the dressing room and donated £1000.

I have attached the teams the match officials the auction and raffle lots and some very flattering words written for the programme about me by Hugo McNeill slightly economical with the truth but hey why let a little flattery get in the way of the truth.

 THE PROGRAMME 

Whilst writing profound thanks must be given to Simon Cooke all the players des O'Hara and at the Irish club secretary Terry Long and club chairman David Fitzgerald for accommodating the game and making my life so easy. David Fitzgerald mailing the whole of the London Irish members in a call to arms describing me as a great centre, I was good but not great.   

I know many of you will be attending a few are anticipating we can only raise a crowd of 250 I sincerely hope not please try and say hello on the day last time I found it hard to spend any time with anyone when 3,000 all wanted a part of me, the rest as they say is up to you.

As my grandfather a giant of a man from Ennis in the south west of Ireland used to say...
"When your time to be greeted by the Good Lord comes may it be at least five hours before the Devil comes looking for Ye!"

Fondest regards  

Neil Murphy