Sutton man wins Sexton’s jersey

A NORTHSIDE man was delighted to meet Johnny Sexton recently after winning a prize on Sunshine FM.

The Irish and Leinster rugby star donated his match jersey from the 2016 Six Nations clash with Scotland, in which he kicked 15 points to win the game, to Cycle Ataxia.

Barry Rice, from Ayrfield, set up the charity to raise funds for Friedreich’s 

Ataxia research and patient care.

Friedreich’s Ataxia (FA) is a neuromuscular disease that causes progressive damage to the nervous system resulting in the loss of muscle control.

Billy Murray, a lifetime Leinster Rugby fan, won the jersey. 

The jersey was unsigned but Sexton kindly agreed to meet Mr Murray at the Sunshine FM studios in the Point Village, to personally autograph it. 

Barry Rice was delighted with how the day turned out. 

“Johnny was relaxed and in good form,” he said. “We chatted about Leinster’s victory against Wasps  and looked forward to the semi-final clash with Clermont this weekend.

“Johnny posed for several pictures with myself, Billy and Sunshine FM presenter Enda Murphy. 

“He also kindly and patiently waited and posed for pictures with some of the station’s presenters and staff members, as a queue began to form outside the small studio.” 

After Sexton donated his jersey, Barry put it in the hands of Sunshine 106.8 FM, and asked the station to help him find a deserving recipient. 

“They ran a promotion on their ‘Sunshine Breakfast’ show, and asked people to nominate somebody particularly deserving of this unique opportunity,” he added.

“The chosen recipient was Billy Murray.”

Cycle Ataxia’s fourth annual leisure cycle will take place on June 17. For more information, visit www.CycleAtaxia.ie