WHEN it comes to motivating players for the big occasion, Killarney schoolboy Michael O’Brien could teach inter-county managers a few tricks.
He delivered a power-packed oration to the Wexford hurlers before their high-profile National League clash with Tipperary and his words of wisdom certainly had the desired impact as they secured a thrilling victory.
The big opportunity for 11-year-old Michael came when he met Wexford manager Davy Fitzgerald on the Late Late Toy Show before Christmas.
The St Oliver’s National School pupil, who is visually impaired, was asked by Fitzgerald to give his players a team talk ahead of a big game and last weekend’s encounter provided the perfect platform.
Michael is Davy Fitz’s biggest fan and he could scarcely believe his luck when Ryan Tubridy introduced him to the Wexford manager on live TV.
“I need a small bit of help,” Fitzgerald told the young Killarney boy, “I need another passionate man with me.”
Fitzgerald said he had important league games coming up and asked his biggest fan to come along and give them a team talk.
“That’s a deal,” said Michael.
His dream was realised at Wexford Park at the weekend when Fitzgerald made good on that promise.
Wexford coach Seoirse Bulfin tool to Twitter to declare: “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”.
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