A charity match for Liverpool fan Seán Cox earlier this year raised €748,000, which will now go towards his rehabilitation.
The father of three from Dunboyne in Co Meath was brutally attacked outside Anfield last April, ahead of Liverpool’s Champions League semi-final against AS Roma.
He suffered life changing injuries, and has spent the year since the attack in hospital and then in rehabilitation.
On April 12th, almost 27,000 fans attended a charity game at the Aviva Stadium.
The match saw a team of Liverpool legends take on a Republic of Ireland XI team, with the Reds beating the Irish team 2-1.
The event also saw Seán himself make his first public appearance since the attack, making the trip from the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dun Laoghaire.
Sean Cox in the stands alongside Kenny Dalglish (right) prior to the Sean Cox Fundraising match at The Aviva Stadium, Dublin, 13-04-2019. Image: Brian Lawless/PA Wire/PA ImagesLiverpool FC has now confirmed the match raised €748,000 for the Seán Cox Rehabilitation Trust.
Today, Seán's wife Martina travelled to Anfield for the first time to pick up the cheque.
She said she was tinged with sadness making the journey to Liverpool without Seán.
However, Martina observed: "Getting that big cheque and the support from Liverpool and the fanbase has been amazing.
"A big thank to you everybody - they've really taken Seán into their hearts, which is great. The momentum has kept going."
She explained that Seán is coming to the end of his time in rehabilitation in Ireland, and he'll then be going to a specialist centre in the UK.
She added: "That's when the big spending will start - at least we know we're going to get the best for Seán, which is what he needs.
"His speech is slow, and it's quite frustrating for him and obviously upsetting for us. But he will improve as time goes on - it's a long road... a long journey for him."
Both teams pose for a joint photo prior to the Sean Cox Fundraising match at The Aviva Stadium, Dublin.
