Report from Dublin Rebels.
On the 10th April 2013, 6 of the Rebel’s current squad visited Our Lady Children’s Hospital Crumlin, to meet the kids and give them a break from their regular day to day activities. On the day itself we had 3 players kitted up and another 3 with pads and helmets for the kids to try on along with giving them all lollipops and
some toys.
We were taken around all the different wards on the day, and met kids that were not even one week old to kids who were in their mid-teens. All the kids were very receptive of our visit and shared their stories with us and they also had fun trying on the helmet and pads. A few have told us to watch our backs as they are coming
for our places in a few years, one kid told me he is going to be at our next training session and wants to play running back, so Simon Mackey watch out.
These kids are true warriors, no matter what hardships life has thrown at them, they have gotten and fought on through it with their families by their side and with the incredible work that the nurses, doctors and the volunteers provide.
We want to thank Conall Mac Riocaird who made it possible for us to attend to the hospital, to all the ward nurses and staff, the 2 medical interns Katie Duggan and Dan O’Day but we want to say a special thanks to June Farrell who brought us to all the wards and gave us an insight into what goes on day to day in the hospital but most of all we want to thank the kids themselves for taking the time to meet with us and share the stories.