One of the moments from The Late Late Toy Show 2018 that had everyone talking was a meeting between an 11-year-old GAA fan and his “hero”, Wexford hurling manager Davy Fitzgerald.
Michael O’Brien, who is visually impaired, was on the show reviewing children’s braille and audio books and also told Ryan Tubridy about his love of GAA.
The young lad also mentioned that the Wexford manager was his favourite, which is when Davy appeared on stage and asked Michael for “a small bit of help” to deliver a team talk.
On the episode which aired at the end of November, Davy told him, “We’re playing Limerick, we’re playing Tipp and we’re playing Kilkenny.
“I’d like you to come, maybe speak to the team before we go out, have a chat with them. Would you be up for something like that?”
Following his Late Late Toy Show appearence, young Michael O'Brien was special guest of Davy Fitzgerald for our Allianz Hurling League victory over Tipperary today at @InnovateCloud Wexford Park.
Photo: Matt Browne/Sportsfile pic.twitter.com/WnYgmhlh3e— Wexford GAA (@OfficialWexGAA) February 17, 2019
Michael’s dream came true on Sunday, where he was guest of honour at Innovate Wexford Park, and his team talk obviously did the trick because they later secured a win against Tipperary.
Absolute privilege to have Michael O’ Brien with @OfficialWexGAA today. 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 #AllianzLeague #Inspiration pic.twitter.com/jnzcfSrCgI
— Seoirse Bulfin (@SeoirseBulfin) February 17, 2019
Wexford senior hurling coach Seoirse Bulfin shared a photo of Michael’s special moment and said, “You could hear a pin drop when he spoke to the players before the game. A truly super young man.”
