Players from Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland in joint Dublin hospital visit
By The Newsroom
Published 13th Nov 2018, 14:25 GMT
Updated 13th Nov 2018, 16:38 GMT
The palyers visited Ireland's largest children's hospital
The vist to Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin, was to encourage young people who have cancer and to highlight the work of medical and caring staff who help to fight the disease.
Players from the Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland football squads came together today to visit Irelands largest paediatric hospital, Our Ladys Childrens Hospital in Dublin, to support children with cancer and to highlight the work of medical and caring staff who help to fight the disease.
Northern Ireland's Steven Davis and Jonny Evans with Republic of Ireland's Shane Duffy and David Meyler visited 2 year old Ellen Meehan at Irelands largest paediatric hospital, Our Ladys Childrens Hospital Crumlin, to encourage young people who have cancer and to highlight the work of medical and caring staff who help to fight the disease.
The four international footballers also sought to use the visit to showcase the work of Cancer Fund for Children, an all-Ireland charity which supports children and young people diagnosed with cancer, and their families, following a diagnosis. Cancer Fund for Children plan to build a new therapeutic short break centre in Connacht for families across Ireland affected by childhood cancer - similar to their existing Daisy Lodge in Northern Ireland.
Northern Ireland's Steven Davis and Jonny Evans with Republic of Ireland's Shane Duffy visited 15 year old Callum Friel
Northern Irelands Jonny Evans and Steven Davis were joined by the Republic of Irelands Shane Duffy and David Meyler in touring the ward. The four internationals spent time speaking to children and staff talking about their football careers and hearing individual stories.
Northern Ireland's Steven Davis and Jonny Evans with Republic of Ireland's Shane Duffy visited Tom Walsh, Sophie Walsh and Cathal Tobin
Dr Cormac Owens, Consultant Paediatric Oncologist at Our Ladys Childrens Hospital, Crumlin (OLCHC) said: We were extremely proud to welcome the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland soccer international players to OLCHC Childrens Cancer Ward. The children and families had a fantastic day getting autographs and photos of their sporting heroes and enjoyed talking to them about their fitness regime. OLCHC works in collaboration with Cancer Fund for Children which provides complimentary therapeutic short breaks for its families attending the Cancer Unit at OLCHC and we look forward to the construction of new facility in Connacht which will provide short breaks for families both North and South.
Northern Ireland's Steven Davis and Republic of Ireland's David Meyler visited Fionn McKenna
