[Alisha following her attack]
In 2012, Alisha Jordan, then aged 18, from Co Meath arrived in New York to play Gaelic football for the Cavan Ladies of New York…
At the peak of her fitness and hard work after the championship Alisha looked forward to getting ready for the next season…Walking home from a night out in New York Alisha was horrifically attacked by a male stranger who smashed her in the face with a concrete slab.
Alisha had to undergo two reconstructive surgeries, the first, an eight hour surgery to insert 10 metal plates and twenty-two screws to re-build her fractured skull. She then had reconstructive surgery to her nose to build it again.Regaining her sight, walking and then running, against all of the odds and the doctors requests, Alisha worked every day at rebuilding her strength and friends, family and her team mates stood by her all the way….
Alisha (holding trophy) with the Cavan Ladies of New York following a championship win.
Alisha continues to play for Cavan in New York and she also plays for the New York team who are due to play the Junior Championship in Ireland this August.
“I love the sport now more than ever and it will always be a vital part of my life. Since I was young and playing with my home club Skryne [Co Meath] I fell in love with the amazing support system that surrounds being part of a team…Above all, the whole attack made me not realise the bad that’s in the world that could hurt me, but the unbelievable good that’s in our everyday life. I’m very happy the latter outweighs the first”
Alisha Jordan – The Sport That Saved My Life (Kelly McGill, WomanSportsJournal)
Fair play Alisha!
To focus on the good after what happened is really inspiring. Hats off.
Oh Christ, where in NY did that happen?
The Bronx. I was thinking Manhattan is fairly safe at night.
Remarkable story, fair play to her.
Fair play to her. I wonder if the perpetrator was ever apprehended…
Alerted by the Jordan’s screams, her friend, who wishes to remain anonymous, immediately sprang into action. Charging at the attacker, she pulled the t-shirt from his back before he fled the scene. On July 24 the NYPD arrested Jordan’s assailant and charged him with felony assault.
http://www.irishcentral.com/news/alisha-jordan-irish-victim-of-bronx-assault-alisha-jordan-recovers-after-surgery-167816155-237525661.html
Good grief, what a horrible horrible bastard. I hope he was apprehended. Fair play to Alisha for having such determination and such a positive outlook on life. Inspirational stuff.
Good work Alisha!
She’s a fantastic inspiration, well done Alisha!
Fair dues to you girl. You have a great attitude and million dollar friends around you. I hope the scumbag who did to you comes off the worst against a concrete wall too one day.
Respect to the friend that pitched in and took the shirt off him. Very brave and loyal!
Glad to see our country represented abroad by amazing people like you.
wow ! an inspirational lady, major respect.