News

Co Down Gaelic clubs unite to pray for Johnny McGrattan

Two Co Down Gaelic clubs came together last night to pray for Johnny McGrattan.  Picture by Philip Walsh
Two Co Down Gaelic clubs came together last night to pray for Johnny McGrattan. Picture by Philip Walsh Two Co Down Gaelic clubs came together last night to pray for Johnny McGrattan. Picture by Philip Walsh

MEMBERS of two Co Down Gaelic clubs last night gathered together to pray for the recovery of one of their hurling managers who remains critically ill in hospital.

Johnny McGrattan (38) from Portaferry suffered a brain injury in a fall at his home last Sunday.

The father-of-four, who is manager of Ballygalget GAC, fell just hours after his team lost to Ballycran at the Down senior hurling championship.

But last night the two teams put their sporting rivalries to one side and united in support of Mr McGrattan, a former Down senior hurler, and his family.

Members of the the rival clubs wore their team colours as they attended Mass in Ballygalget.

It came just a day after members of Mr McGrattan's club gathered at Belfast's Royal Victoria Hospital, where he is being treated, to pray for him.

In a message posted on the club's Facebook page, it said: "Our senior hurlers called into the RVH tonight (Thursday) to show our support for Johnny and his family.

"He remains in an induced coma in the intensive care unit and is critical but stable.

"The family have requested that we continue to offer our prayers for Johnny and for a full recovery."

Earlier this week, Mr McGrattan's family appealed for Gaels across Ireland and abroad to pray for him as he continues to fight for his life.

His brother Peter told The Irish News they had "gained such great comfort" by knowing people are praying for him.