This article is from page 13 of the 2011-08-02 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 13 JPG
A 10-YEAR-OLD Kilrush boy who suffered serious burn injuries five years ago will lead out Ireland at the Aviva Stadium next week.
Kyle Carmody and his brother Evan (11) will be flag bearers when Giovanni Trappattoni’s side take on Croatia in an international friendly in Dublin on August 10.
Their appearance alongside the boys in green is the result of the family’s association with Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin.
From November 2006 to January 2007, Kyle spent three months receiving treatment for burns he suffered when his pyjamas caught fire at the family home.
Dad Flan explained that the incident is thought to have occurred when Kyle threw an item into the ashes of a fire and then went to retrieve it. Kyle suffered burns to 12 per cent of his body. “It’s one thing that we’ll never forget,” said Flan last week.
After receiving what Flan described as “top class treatment” from the staff at Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Kyle, a student at Gaelscoil Uí Choimin, Kilrush, made a full recovery.
Flan said, “He’s doing well now. He’s into all sports, swimming everything. They are very big into skateboarding at the moment.”
The incident resulted in Flan starting an annual five-mile charity walk around Kilrush in aid of the hospital. Last year the event raised € 6,250 while in May, the second annual walk and cycle raised € 9,222.
Flan had hoped to invite former Ireland goalkeeper Packie Bonner to Kilrush for the event but the Donegal native was unable to attend.
He added, “Anne Moody from Hen- ry Street in Kilrush knows Richard Fahey [director] from the FAI. Bonner had to go to Scotland that same weekend so they asked if Kyle would be interested in being a flag bearer. He and his brother could carry the flag between them.”
Flan said the family are looking forward to their big day on the international stage. “They are thrilled to bits. It’s a huge honour for the family and to get to meet the Irish team will be great.”
Flan thanked all cyclists who helped raised money for Crumlin at the May fundraiser. He also thanked all local businesses that supported the event.