Football

Video: Tyrone fanatic Ciaran McAleer leads senior team out against Kerry

A thrilled young Ciaran McAleer, who suffers from a severe brittle bone condition, leads out the Tyrone team alongside Mattie Donnelly (captain, right) and Red Hands star Peter Harte as they take to the field ahead of the Kerry clash at Healy Park, Omagh on Sunday March 25 2018. Picture: Seamus Loughran
A thrilled young Ciaran McAleer, who suffers from a severe brittle bone condition, leads out the Tyrone team alongside Mattie Donnelly (captain, right) and Red Hands star Peter Harte as they take to the field ahead of the Kerry clash at Healy Park, Omagh A thrilled young Ciaran McAleer, who suffers from a severe brittle bone condition, leads out the Tyrone team alongside Mattie Donnelly (captain, right) and Red Hands star Peter Harte as they take to the field ahead of the Kerry clash at Healy Park, Omagh on Sunday March 25 2018. Picture: Seamus Loughran
By Francis Mooney

Tyrone fanatic Ciaran McAleer walked tall as he savoured his proudest moment by leading the Tyrone team out for their NFL clash with Kerry at the weekend.

The teenager’s courageous steps, hand in hand with his Red Hand heroes Mattie Donnelly and Peter Harte, represented massive progress towards his dream to be able to walk independently.

Fourteen-year-old Ciaran suffers from a severe Brittle Bone condition which necessitates the use of a wheelchair.

Throughout his life, he has suffered multiple fractures and undergone several operations, with rods and plates inserted to help strengthen his legs.

Through his courage and determination, he has continued to dedicate himself to his ambition to walk unaided, a process that will require further surgery.

Ciaran received rapturous applause and a standing ovation from the big Healy Park crowd, who warmed to his unique story of personal courage and dedication to the sport he loves.

A student at St Ciaran’s College in Ballygawley and a member of Errigal Ciaran GAC, he has been appointed as captain of several under-age teams at the club, where he is renowned for his unwavering support and succinct post-match analysis.

One of the club’s great characters, he operates the score-board at Dunmoyle on match-days and keeps club colleagues entertained and informed with his knowledge and insightful understanding of the game.

“Everyone concerned, from the county board to the Tyrone management team, were only too happy to make this happen for Ciaran,” said county PRO Eugene McConnell.

“It was great for such an ardent Tyrone supporter to fulfil this ambition, and we were delighted to help him do that.

“He never misses a Tyrone game, and what better occasion to lead out the team than the final National League game of the season against Kerry.”

McConnell added: “It just worked out perfectly that his progress allowed him to take those defining steps, and hopefully there will be many more to follow.

“Everybody involved had the one aim and the sole ambition, and that was to allow Ciaran to fulfil his dream.

“The round of applause was deafening around the ground when he emerged from the tunnel with the team behind him, a heart-warming experience for everybody present.”

A delighted Ciaran McAleer lines out as Tyrone team mascot, seated proudly among his Red Hand heroes before they faced Kerry at Healy Park, Omagh on March 25 2018. Picture: Seamus Loughran
A delighted Ciaran McAleer lines out as Tyrone team mascot, seated proudly among his Red Hand heroes before they faced Kerry at Healy Park, Omagh on March 25 2018. Picture: Seamus Loughran A delighted Ciaran McAleer lines out as Tyrone team mascot, seated proudly among his Red Hand heroes before they faced Kerry at Healy Park, Omagh on March 25 2018. Picture: Seamus Loughran