Organisers of last night’s Sean Cox charity match have said it was a “really special” occasion for the Liverpool fan.

Almost 27,000 people turned out for the Aviva stadium encounter between an Irish XI and Liverpool legends including Robbie Fowler, Ian Rush, Steve McManaman and Robbie Keane.

The money raised will go to Sean’s ongoing rehabilitation.

He is currently in the care of the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dun Laoghaire, and his family has said he will require care for the rest of his life.

Liverpool Legends Patrick Berger, Steve McManaman, John Aldridge and Jason McAteer celebrate at the Aviva Stadium, 12-04-2019. Image: Ben Ryan/Zuma Press/PA Images

Stephen Felle, chairman of the Sean Cox Rehabilitation Fund, said last night was a special occasion for Sean’s family and friends.

“Quite apart from the numbers or the money that it might have raised for Sean, it was the fact that Sean was there,” he said.

“He watched the entire game from the Aviva Stadium and smiled on and had the thumbs up and met some of his all-time heroes – so that was really, really special.”

Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler in action during the Sean Cox charity match in the Aviva, 12-04-2019. Image: Ben Ryan/SOPA Images

He said the campaign has now reached its €2m fundraising target – with more events on the way.

“We really need to help the Cox family and give them space in terms of planning for the next stage of Sean’s recovery,” he said.

“There have been an awful lot of events over the last six or seven months to push us towards that target of €2m that we set ourselves – and we reached it this week so that is an amazing milestone as well.

“There are actually some more great events planned.”

You'll Never Walk Alone, Seán 🙌#SupportSeán pic.twitter.com/1nEn6egsPC

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) April 12, 2019

The match marked Sean’s first public appearance since he was attacked outside Anfield before Liverpool’s Champions League semi-final against AS Roma last year.

Three men have been jailed for engaging in violent disorder ahead of the match last April.

One of those was jailed for three-and-a-half years for unlawfully and maliciously inflicting grievous bodily harm on Mr Cox.