RUGBY FAN ALASTAIR ON TOP OF THE WORLD AFTER LEADING IRELAND OUT
Rugby fan Alastair 'on top of the world' after leading Ireland out
OMAGH bomb survivor, Alastair Hall, has been reliving "a brilliant weekend" in Dublin.
After leading out the teams for Saturday's Five Nations clash between Ireland and England at Lansdowne Road, the 12-year-old Omagh Academy student, said he felt "on top of the world".
Despite having his right leg amputated below the knee in the wake of the town centre artrocity of August 15 last, Alastair proudly marched on to the hallowed turf with Paddy Johns's arm around his shoulder.
The youngster was responding to an invitation by the Irish skipper, coach, Warren Gatland, and manager, Donal Lenihan, to be their special mascot for the big game.
And he told the Tyrone Constitution this week: "The rugby was everything I had dreamed it would be. I enjoyed the Late Late Show on Friday evening, and had a brilliant weekend."
His mother, Gwen, said: "We felt everything went very well, and Alastair enjoyed meeting President Mary McAleese. She sat with us as we had our tea at the ground after the match."
Alastair, who lives with his parents, Gwen and Lindsey, and brothers, Michael and Gareth, at Dublin Road, added: "President McAleese shook hands with me, and asked me how I was getting on. She wished me all the best."
Perhaps, ever so slightly embarrassed, he forgot to mention that Mrs McAleese had given him a hug and a kiss as he joined the lineup of players to be presented to her.
He had earlier joined the Irish team in the now familiar huddle as the crescendo of noise around Lansdowne road heightened with the kick-off drawing ever closer.
"I was even more nervous than the players, but anybody who plays rugby would have loved to do what I did," beamed Alastair.
OMAGH bomb survivor, Alastair Hall, has been reliving "a brilliant weekend" in Dublin.
After leading out the teams for Saturday's Five Nations clash between Ireland and England at Lansdowne Road, the 12-year-old Omagh Academy student, said he felt "on top of the world".
Despite having his right leg amputated below the knee in the wake of the town centre artrocity of August 15 last, Alastair proudly marched on to the hallowed turf with Paddy Johns's arm around his shoulder.
The youngster was responding to an invitation by the Irish skipper, coach, Warren Gatland, and manager, Donal Lenihan, to be their special mascot for the big game.
And he told the Tyrone Constitution this week: "The rugby was everything I had dreamed it would be. I enjoyed the Late Late Show on Friday evening, and had a brilliant weekend."
His mother, Gwen, said: "We felt everything went very well, and Alastair enjoyed meeting President Mary McAleese. She sat with us as we had our tea at the ground after the match."
Alastair, who lives with his parents, Gwen and Lindsey, and brothers, Michael and Gareth, at Dublin Road, added: "President McAleese shook hands with me, and asked me how I was getting on. She wished me all the best."
Perhaps, ever so slightly embarrassed, he forgot to mention that Mrs McAleese had given him a hug and a kiss as he joined the lineup of players to be presented to her.
He had earlier joined the Irish team in the now familiar huddle as the crescendo of noise around Lansdowne road heightened with the kick-off drawing ever closer.
"I was even more nervous than the players, but anybody who plays rugby would have loved to do what I did," beamed Alastair.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/1334
Published Date: 11-Mar-99
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