RUGBY SALUTES OMAGH VICTIM ALASTAIR
Rugby salutes Omagh victim Alastair
THE bravery of a young boy who lost his leg in the Omagh bomb will be saluted when he leads the Irish rugby team onto the pitch for their match against England next year.
Alastair Hall (12), will put the horror of the August 15 atrocity behind him when he strides out alongside Ireland captain Keith Wood in front of more than 50,000 fans in Dublin.
The youngster was a key player on his school team before he was injured in the Real IRA bombing.
His right leg was amputated below the knee but he showed extraordinary courage, struggling through long hours of therapy to get back to normal life.
Wearing his newly fitted artificial limb under his tracksuit, he smiled broadly as he explained how Ireland manager Donal Lenihan had invited him to be the team mascot.
He will travel with the players in their coach and then, dressed in Ireland's green strip, lead them onto the pitch for the five nations championship match in March.
His mum Gwen, who was also badly injured in the blast, said the youngster has never once complained about his injuries.
"He just seems to accept it."
THE bravery of a young boy who lost his leg in the Omagh bomb will be saluted when he leads the Irish rugby team onto the pitch for their match against England next year.
Alastair Hall (12), will put the horror of the August 15 atrocity behind him when he strides out alongside Ireland captain Keith Wood in front of more than 50,000 fans in Dublin.
The youngster was a key player on his school team before he was injured in the Real IRA bombing.
His right leg was amputated below the knee but he showed extraordinary courage, struggling through long hours of therapy to get back to normal life.
Wearing his newly fitted artificial limb under his tracksuit, he smiled broadly as he explained how Ireland manager Donal Lenihan had invited him to be the team mascot.
He will travel with the players in their coach and then, dressed in Ireland's green strip, lead them onto the pitch for the five nations championship match in March.
His mum Gwen, who was also badly injured in the blast, said the youngster has never once complained about his injuries.
"He just seems to accept it."
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0543
Published Date: 23-Dec-98
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