There was an air of sadness around Killarney last week when news broke that one of our own, Steven Brosnan, was battling a cancer diagnosis.

Steven is the son of retired council worker Christy Brosnan and is from a well-known Killarney family.

Now based in Wexford, 36-year-old Steven was diagnosed with cancer back in December 2023, but the news only reached Killarney last week.

“We are a private family so we kept it quiet for as long we could but when the cancer had spread to Steven’s back and he had to undergo chemo treatment. The local GAA club here St. Joseph's heard the news and wanted to do something to show their support,” his partner Sarah told the Killarney Advertiser this week.

He is expected to undergo his last bout of chemotherapy soon and what is next is still unclear for the family.

“He may have to get additional treatment depending on how his body has reacted to the chemotherapy. We are just taking it one day at a time,” added Sarah.

“I just want to say that we are so grateful to all of our friends in Killarney who have been in touch. We have been getting visitors and calls all week and we are so lucky to have amazing friends who are there to support us”

St Joseph’s GAA Club in Wexford town has set up a Go Fund Me page.

“Steven is a wonderful person and he and his young family are deeply embedded in St. Joseph’s and obviously this news has hit us all hard. Our thoughts and prayers are with Steven and his family at this difficult time. As a club we value our members and players and we will always do our best to support them in any way we can,” said a club statement.

“Steven and Sarah are raising two young girls, Ali (9) and Ruby (5). Due to Stevens illness he has to step away from work indefinitely while Sarah, who runs her own hair salon, is on reduced hours while trying to keep the show on the road. The club hopes to raise as much  funds as possible which will go towards helping Stephen and his family get through this difficult period.”

Donations can be made via St. Joseph’s GAA via it’s GoFundMe link:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/lets-help-out-stephen-his-family