Ireland stars make virtual Christmas hospital visit

Republic of Ireland players paid a visit to children in CHI at Temple Street and CHI at Crumlin ahead of the Christmas season.

With the COVID-19 restrictions still in place, the players visited the children at both hospitals virtually as Seamus Coleman and Matt Doherty visited Temple Street, and John Egan and Chiedozie Ogbene visited Crumlin.

Coleman and Doherty visited two huge Ireland fans in Temple Street, 15-year old Liam and nine-year old Dexter where they were asked about the Portugal qualifier coming up at the Aviva Stadium on Thursday.

Coleman and Doherty visited two huge Ireland fans in Temple Street, 15-year old Liam and nine-year old Dexter where they were asked about the Portugal qualifier coming up at the Aviva Stadium on Thursday.

'So lads, who is going to mark Ronaldo on Thursday?' asked Dexter from Dublin. Sadly the lads wouldn't let the cat out of the bag on this question.

In Crumlin, Egan and Ogbene were brought around the ward by the staff at the hospital as the Ireland players look to raise spirits ahead of the Christmas period. They met four football mad fans, 10-year old Brooklyn, 9-year old Emme, 10-year old Lucy and 13-year old Alan.

Brooklyn interviewed John and Chiedozie with a page of prepared questions ranging from 'What was it like to win player of the year?' and 'How did it feel leaving your family in Ireland to go to play footback in England?'

Chief Executive, Children’s Health Ireland (CHI), Eilísh Hardiman said the impact these types of visits have on children in hospital cannot be underestimated.

"We have some very sick children in our hospitals and it’s been an incredibly hard year for them with restrictions meaning few visits and far fewer entertainments than we can normally accommodate.

"From all in CHI, I want to sincerely thank the players for giving their time and bringing genuine joy to our patients while they stay with us."