ANFIELD VISIT IS DREAM COME TRUE FOR BOMB VICTIM
Anfield visit is 'dream come true' for bomb victim
IT was a dream come true for Omagh bomb victim, Ronan McGrory, as he met his footballing hero on Saturday.
The nightmare of the August 15 atrocity was forgotten for a few hours, while the Buncrana teenager, who lost three classmates in the terrorist incident which finally claimed 29 lives, was introduced to his Anfield idol, Robbie Fowler.
Ronan was reunited, too, with deputy Prime Minister. Mr. John Prescott, who had visited him at Tyrone County Hospital in the immediate aftermath of the bombing.
As he emerged from the hospital on that occasion, Mr. Prescott had told the world's Press of his meeting with the 14-year-old Donegal schoolboy, and of his promise to take him to see Liverpool play.
The Deputy PM lived up to that promise at the weekend, and Ronan saw Liverpool rout Nottingham Forest 5-1, with teenage striker, Michael Owen, grabbing four of the goals.
After meeting Owen's English international colleague, Fowler, prior to kick-off, Ronan said: "This has been a dream day for me. It's the first time I have been at Anfield, in fact, it's the first time I've been out of Ireland.
"I've always supported Liverpool, and I would love to play for them one day. I play for a local youth side, and I've scored seven goals for them."
The delighted youngster said he wished to thank all those who had made the trip possible, and revealed that he was due to return to hospital this week to have shrapnel removed from a back injury.
"I am just so grateful to everyone who made the visit possible," said the boy who has made a remarkable speedy recovery from a ruptured spleen.
IT was a dream come true for Omagh bomb victim, Ronan McGrory, as he met his footballing hero on Saturday.
The nightmare of the August 15 atrocity was forgotten for a few hours, while the Buncrana teenager, who lost three classmates in the terrorist incident which finally claimed 29 lives, was introduced to his Anfield idol, Robbie Fowler.
Ronan was reunited, too, with deputy Prime Minister. Mr. John Prescott, who had visited him at Tyrone County Hospital in the immediate aftermath of the bombing.
As he emerged from the hospital on that occasion, Mr. Prescott had told the world's Press of his meeting with the 14-year-old Donegal schoolboy, and of his promise to take him to see Liverpool play.
The Deputy PM lived up to that promise at the weekend, and Ronan saw Liverpool rout Nottingham Forest 5-1, with teenage striker, Michael Owen, grabbing four of the goals.
After meeting Owen's English international colleague, Fowler, prior to kick-off, Ronan said: "This has been a dream day for me. It's the first time I have been at Anfield, in fact, it's the first time I've been out of Ireland.
"I've always supported Liverpool, and I would love to play for them one day. I play for a local youth side, and I've scored seven goals for them."
The delighted youngster said he wished to thank all those who had made the trip possible, and revealed that he was due to return to hospital this week to have shrapnel removed from a back injury.
"I am just so grateful to everyone who made the visit possible," said the boy who has made a remarkable speedy recovery from a ruptured spleen.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/0746
Published Date: 29-Oct-98
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