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Michael
pictured with the Crystal Cup which was presented to him on
his 80th birthday |
Michael
Sugrue, now 81 years old only retired from work as a Sub Contractor
eight years ago. Michael is a native of Co. Kerry as is his wife
Catherine.
Michael Sugrue, has been to every all Ireland football final since
1946, apart from the 1947 final when it was held in America.
Michael a native of Kerry immigrated to England in 1949. It is here
he started out his life here working in a Beet factory in Shropshire,
then moved to the Channel Islands and then to Kings Heath. He met
his wife Catherine who is also a native of Co. Kerry and married
in 1953. They have had four daughters, one son and twelve grandchildren.
One of his interests at that time was the G.A.A and he brought that
along with him. Michael, now the chairman, formed St. Brendans, the
team that was the driving force behind Gaelic Football in the West
Midlands in 1959.
Whilst he was a sub contractor, some of the Irish that moved to Birmingham
were offered jobs and encouraged them to play for the club.
Frank Kelly, Tommy Tolan, Con Cunningham and Pat Forde were just
a few of the many that have played for St. Brendans. They wanted
to honor their special friend, so they asked the authorities if they
could do something for him in Croke Park as he was a loyal dedicated
member but it fell upon deaf ears.
They took it upon themselves to gather together outside the G.A.A
Museum and present Michael with a Kerry jersey, a Crystal Cup and
a book of history of Croke Park on his 80th birthday.
Unfortunately Michael was not able to get to this year’s final
as he was struck down with Arthritis, which has affected his whole
life.
He used to enjoy going to St. Dunstan's on a Saturday night and having
the craic with his friends, now he is unable to go. Michael now can
only walk to the gate at the end of the garden with the aid of a
stick and If Michael wants to go anywhere else he has to go in a
wheelchair.
Where as before he used to go and see his friends now his friends
go to see him. Although Catherine copes very well with his Arthritis,
they do have home help in every day, to give his wife a little break.
Michaels hoping that next year if everything goes well he will be
able to make the All Ireland Final once again.
Arthritis is a disease that causes pain and a loss of movement of
the joints that you rely on for every day activities. There are many
various forms of arthritis that can affect many different parts of
the body. Some forms of arthritis are associated with diseases of
other tissues and organs in the body. People of all ages, including
children and young adults can develop arthritis.
For anybody wanting more information on this disease
you can log onto: www.bbc.co.uk/health/conditions/arthritis
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