‘Don't let anything stop you’ says GAA player Conor (12)

"You just have to live your life and don't let anything stop you." That was the inspirational message from 12-year-old Moate boy Conor Dufficy when he spoke this week about playing gaelic games despite losing his left leg in an accident seven years ago.

Conor, who plays for Moate All Whites, was featured on the RTE News on Monday evening as part of his involvement in a GAA campaign, sponsored by SuperValu, which aims to increase participation in gaelic games among players from diverse backgrounds.

The local boy lost his leg in an accident involving a ride-on lawnmower which occurred in Limerick in May of 2014.

Conor, who was aged five at the time, told RTE that he wasn't sure at first what he would be able to do in the future.

"I'd be saying to my Mam and Dad, 'Will I ever be able to do anything else again? Will I be able to walk? Will I be able to play sports? Will I be able to run?'"

However, he showed his determination by getting back involved in sport and plays wheelchair basketball and soccer in addition to gaelic games.

"It's fun to be able to be a part of a team, win with your team, and play with your friends for a bit of craic," he said.

"I'm able to run, I'm able to solo, I'm able to do everything everyone else can. Sometimes I get pains, but I push through. I love to play matches so you just have to push through."

Westmeath footballer Boidu Sayeh is also part of the campaign which is aiming to promote inclusion and increase participation in GAA sports among people from diverse backgrounds by 30% over the next four years.

"For me, growing up, I was always that person who really wanted to get included in everything even though I looked different to everyone else, so it's great to be involved in a campaign like this," said Boidu.

Both Conor and Boidu feature in a SuperValu TV ad for the campaign which is set to be broadcast over the coming weeks and months.