Aengus is a Sligo man. He went to secondary school in Ballymote and then had a year and a half holiday in Maynooth, before returning home to complete a degree in Web Development at IT Sligo. After this he was lucky enough to get a job in Lionbridge in Ballina, Co.Mayo where he has worked and lived since 2006.
Away from work, Aengus’s days were filled with work and football. He enjoyed the usual few pints with friends and interests like sport, poker, quizzes, music and amateur dramatics. His proudest achievements include taking a lead role in William Gaule’s Knockdoubt and numerous other roles. Aengus remains a keen Sligo Rovers fan and looks forward to his return to the showgrounds. He has helped update the website for some years and setup the Sligo Rovers twitter account.
In the last couple of years Aengus started playing indoor and astroturf football. He found this great for fitness and general enjoyment. It was at an indoor game in Sligo where the accident occurred.
On February 16th 2014, Aengus played an indoor soccer match that changed his life forever. During the game Aengus slipped, hit his head against a wall and snapped his spinal cord. Aengus suffered cardiac arrest; luckily, one of his teammates was able to resuscitate him. He was brought to Sligo University Hospital and later transferred to the Mater Hospital, Dublin. Aengus is now a quadriplegic, paralysed from the neck down.
Aengus spent over 2 years in the Mater Hospital before being discharged to the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dún Laoghaire where he received his new powered wheelchair. On June 27th 2016 after 12 weeks in the NRH, Aengus returned to Sligo University Hospital. It was on July 13th 2018 after 4½ years Aengus finally left the hospital system and now resides in Woodhaven Therapy Centre, Sligo.
Aengus still loves his football, only now he follows his favourite teams from his powered wheelchair, as his life is suddenly limited.
Please support our efforts to raise funds for the numerous changes that will be necessary to ensure Aengus can live as full a life as possible as he may never walk again.
To support, click on the following link.
PLEASE DONATE
