Kick-off for brave Zac
Cork City FC has announced that it will play a friendly match against Ringmahon Rangers to raise money for the Zac Higgins Appeal Fund.
The match, which was announced on Tuesday, will take place at 12pm on 12 May at Ringmahon Park. Entry to the match is free with attendees encouraged to donate as much as they wish.
Zac Higgins was the victim of a hit and run shortly before 4pm at Castle Meadows off Skehard Road on 25 March which left him seriously injured.
The toddler has since been diagnosed with a DAI brain injury and now faces a long road of rehabilitation and recovery.
Cork City FC Commercial Manager Paul Deasy told the Cork Independent that the club was eager to help out in any way it could.
He said: “It’s something that has hit the community hard and everyone wants to do their bit to support the family and come up with ideas. So we came up with the idea of a match and I mentioned it to John Caulfield and he thought it was a great idea straight away."
Mr Deasy added that Cork City FC manager Caulfield with be fielding a strong team on the day and that a number of surprises are in store for spectators.
Zac’s father Paul is heavily involved with Ringmahon Rangers and is currently the treasurer for the Munster League club.
He has also manned ticket stiles at Turner’s Cross for a number of years and is well known to the staff and players at Cork City FC.
Ringmahon Rangers Club Secretary Sean Fitzgerald told the Cork Independent that he “can’t wait” for the match and that it will be a great occasion.
“It will be a good day. The whole community comes together for stuff like this. It’s affected everyone in the club.
“We couldn’t believe something like this could happen. Not Paul’s young fella. Not Zac. Not on that road. It’s horrific,” said Mr Fitzgerald.
A family day on Easter Sunday attracted more than 4,000 people and raised tens of thousands for Zac’s continued care.
The Zac Higgins Appeal Fund GoFundMe page has so far gathered close to €43,000 since it was established at the end of last month.