A dream come true for sports fanatic Shane Austin
Local sports fanatic Shane Austin has just experienced the time of his life after he got to be a mascot with Chelsea in their final game of the Premier League season.
Shane's mother, Kim Doherty from Mullingar said he really enjoyed his time in the company of the Chelsea players at sunny Stamford Bridge on May 28, where he witnessed their 1-1 draw against Newcastle Utd, while getting some VIP treatment in the process.
"He got to meet all of the Chelsea and Newcastle players and walked onto the pitch with Lewis Hall from Chelsea," she explained, proudly.
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Shane Austin had a great experience.Image 2 of 7
Special memories for Shane Austin.Image 3 of 7
Shane Austin awaiting entry to the famous stadium.Image 4 of 7
Shane Austin got to meet players from both sides.Image 5 of 7
VIP treatment for Shane Austin.Image 6 of 7
Shane Austin's Stamford Bridge experience.Image 7 of 7
Shane won a Cumann na mBunscol football title with Dalystown NS before heading off to London."I applied for him to be mascot when he was five and he only just got called up for the last match. Shane has a lot of medical problems, so life was hugely challenging for him for a long time. When this happened, we were so thrilled for him; it was the experience of a lifetime."
Shane is almost 13 now, so he has been waiting eight years for this great day. Ironically, the biggest secret of all is that he is now a Liverpool supporter!
It completed a memorable week for the pupil of Scoil Phádraig Naofa NS, Dysart. Just before heading off for London, he won a Cumann na mBunscol title as goalkeeper in their football decider at TEG Cusack Park.