K

Killarney youngster motivates Davy’s players to victory

By Michelle Crean

It was the pep talk of all pep talks as Killarney youngster Michael O’Brien lived out his dream to motivate his hero’s team to victory on Sunday.

Wexford Hurling Manager Davy Fitzgerald, who met Michael on the RTE Late Late Toy Show last year, fulfilled his promise to take youngster to a match.

The inspirational 11 year-old, who’s visually impaired, was awestruck, not only to be by Davy’s side but to give the pre match talk, and walk out onto the pitch at the Innovate Wexford Parkwith the team.

Michael, son of Noreen and Michael and a pupil in St Oliver’s NS, said the whole day was very exciting – especially as Wexford beat Tipperary by a point.

The match programme featured Michael as special guest and he was also kitted out in the Wexford gear.

“In the dressing room I told them to ‘go out and dream big’,” Michael told the Killarney Advertiser this week.

“I’d say it inspired a few of the players. It’s the passion, it’s the  way you say it. You gotta show them you’ve got the passion,” Michael said.

“Davy is honestly a nice man, like any typical manager – they change on the field. It was a very good experience, a dream come through. On the pitch people were all running over wanting my autograph and rubbing my head saying that I was a lucky charm.”

After the match Wexford’s Seoirse Bulfin tweeted that it was an‘Absolute privilege to have Michael O’Brien with @OfficialWexGAAtoday. What an inspiration to kids and adults alike. You could hear a pin drop when he spoke to the players before the game. A truly super young man.’

Michael added that he’d like to thank everyone who made the experience possible.

“I’d like to thank Davy, the Wexford board, the team, the hotel and the fans.”