Sportsmanship of Cork schoolboy is praised online

The actions of a schoolboy during a league soccer match have received praise following a report on the match in today's Irish Examiner.

Corinthian goalkeeper Alan Kelleher sustained an injury during Sunday's U14 match against Ringmahon Rangers.

A defender from Ringmahon threw the ball out during the game, drawing attention to the injury. The referee, however, had to award a penalty for the handball.

Despite Corinthian's 1-0 lead, Adam O'Reilly chose to slowly roll the ball into Alan Kelleher's hands, securing a win for their rivals.

The story gained attention on Twitter today after a tweet from sports journalist Denis Hurley, who wrote the story for today's Irish Examiner.

Great sportsmanship from @RingmahonRanger U14s against @collegecors pic.twitter.com/iBmFayqEUz

— Denis Hurley (@Denis_Hurley) March 18, 2014

The sportsmanship of the schoolboy was soon celebrated by social media users who were amazed by Adam's generous act.

@Denis_Hurley @RingmahonRanger @collegecors kudos. that's excellent to see. Well done Ringhmahon

— Mick Ring (@MickRing83) March 18, 2014

@Denis_Hurley @SoccRepublic @RingmahonRanger @collegecors well done ringmahon, great act of sportsmanship

— Damien Sherlock (@d_rovers73) March 18, 2014

@Denis_Hurley @fotoole13 @RingmahonRanger @collegecors top class and full marks / to Ringmahon well done / restores one faith in sport !!

— Mortimer Murphy(Murt) (@MortimerMurphy1) March 18, 2014

RT @Denis_Hurley: Great sportsmanship from @RingmahonRanger U14s against @collegecors pic.twitter.com/Hslw0HhWX8

— Cycling on TNT Sports (@cyclingontnt) March 18, 2014

Fair play RT @Denis_Hurley Great sportsmanship from @RingmahonRanger U14s against @collegecors pic.twitter.com/7nt6TF6SQp

— Cathal Mac Coille (@CathalMacCoille) March 18, 2014

Ringmahon Rangers replied to Denis's tweet by publicly thanking those who had praised the actions of young Adam O'Reilly.

@Denis_Hurley Thanks to everyone for the nice messages leaves no doubt it was the right thing to do well done to management & players #U14s

— Ringmahon Rangers (@RingmahonRanger) March 18, 2014

After the match Corinthian's assistant coach Cathal Kelleher, brother of the injured goalkeeper Alan, spoke of Adam's actions.

"It was an extraordinary sporting gesture by a Ringmahon team who are a credit to their club. It cost them a share of the spoils but their sportsmanship will live long beyond the day's result."

Adam, a valued player on the team, last year received Ringmahon's Cork Schoolboy League Under 12 Schoolboy of the Year award.

Adam, pictured with Eric Grimes, former Ringmahon Rangers player now with Leeds Utd, and Neil Cronin, Cork Schoolboy League

Adam Kelleher's actions allow him to join an exclusive list of admirable sporting heroes.

Sportsmanship around the world

- Roger Federer corrected the score of a tennis match while he was playing - despite knowing he would lose 10 points.

- England's Danny Care stopped a rugby match when he saw Welsh player Morgan Stoddart had been injured. It was later revealed that Stoddart had broken his leg in two places.

- During the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Torino Sara Renner of Canada broke one of her poles in the cross-country skiing team sprint. The race was saved when Norwegian head coach Bjørnar Håkensmoen lent her one of his poles. The Swedish team won a silver medal while Norway came fourth.

- A high school student in America carried her competitor over the finish line of a race. Meghan Vogel saw Arden McMath had fallen so sacrificed her win to help. She even let Arden pass over the line before her.