Conor’s Croke Park dream comes true

A NORTHSIDE boy’s dream of playing with members of the Dublin football team on the hallowed turf of Croke Park will be broadcast in a TV programme this week.

Conor Tierney (10, from Raheny, along with three other children from around the country, will feature in

‘Ireland’s Christmas Wishes’ which airs on TV3 on Wednesday, December 18 at 9pm.

Conor, who has Aplastic Anaemia (bone marrow failure), is a Dublin football fanatic, and stars for his local team, Naomh Barrog in Kilbarrack.

Paraic Tierney, Conor’s father, said filming for the show took place at the GAA’s headquarters two weeks ago.

“It was a big day for Conor,

? he told Northside People.

“We spent a day in Croke Park and had a fantastic time. He wanted his mates to come along as a way of thanking them for their support.

“Myself and Leo Gallagher, one of the other coaches at Naomh Barrog, brought the kids to the stadium. We didn’t tell them before hand that there would be TV cameras coming.

“Four of the Dublin players showed up – Bernard and Alan Brogan, Eoghan O’Gara and Jack McCaffrey – and TV3 presenter Martin King.

?

According to Paraic, Conor, who attends Gaelscoil Mide in Kilbarrack, is a big Dublin supporter.

“He has an intimate knowledge of the team,

? he said.

“He’s always reading newspaper articles about them and books.

“He was crystal clear what his wish was: to go to Croke Park, go into the changing rooms, the warm up area, run up the tunnel and out onto the pitch and run towards Hill 16.

“The four Dublin players were top notch. Words could not describe what they did for us.

“They gave the kids an unbelievable time and a lifetime of memories that they will never ever forget. They really pulled it out of the bag. It was a fantastic day.

?

Conor started playing GAA for his club in the mini-leagues, but unfortunately missed two and half years because of his illness. His siblings Emma, Caoimhe and Micheal, and his mum Aisling were also delighted to see his dream come true.

Paraic would like to thank the

“fantastic

? team at Make-A-Wish, and Paul Breen in particular.

“Paul made it happen,

? he said.

“He put it altogether. Justin McCarthy, the Principal at Gaelscoil Mide, also did a great job and our family is very grateful.

?

Martin King, who presents the show along with Karen Koster, said it was a joy to work on the programme.

“For a short time, you step into people’s lives and bring a little bit of magic to them,

? he said.

“The wonderful thing about granting a wish for a deserving child is seeing the rippling effect it has for the rest of the family.

?

‘Ireland’s Christmas Wishes’ airs on TV3 on Wednesday, December 18 at 9pm.