Boy beats cancer, then takes on footballers

A YOUNG boy who beat cancer yesterday achieved his dream of playing against his beloved Galway football team in his own back garden.

Martin Burns, 11, from Kilbannon, Co Galway, completed his amazing recovery from illness by taking on players twice his age and height.

The sight of six senior footballers playing against Martin and his school friends was all the more remarkable.

It would have been impossible three years ago when Martin was diagnosed with cancer and became seriously ill.

But he endured, and to the amazement of doctors and specialists, made a full recovery.

The match was organised by the Share a Dream charity, which has already helped 15,000 children fulfil their own different dreams.

Yesterday, Share a Dream founder Shay Kinsella enlisted the help of six Galway footballers and a host of other well-wishers to make it a day to remember for Martin.

The day began with the children being driven from the local church in a vintage car owned by a local garage and escorted by two garda squad cars.

The local parish priest blessed the pitch, a neighbouring farmer knocked part of his stone wall to make car parking space available and travel presenter Hector Ó hEochagáin also entered the action.

The players marched in behind the Tuam Brass band, the referee threw in the ball and the 30 metre-long field of dreams came to life.

Local commentator Kevin Ó Dwyer announced the Galway team: Martin McNamara, Kevin Walsh, Padraig Joyce, Michael Donnellan, Derek Savage and Kevin Brady.

To roars of 'Marty, Marty' from a crowd of more than 1,000 people, brave Martin scored two penalties to gain a one-point victory for his side.

There were many talking points, including the sending off of Hector Ó hEochagáin and the antics of Derek Savage, who went down after receiving a hefty shoulder and had to be stretchered off by the Order of Malta.

Share a Dream unveiled a stone plaque and planted an oak tree to commemorate the opening of the 'Field of Dreams'.

The players and spectators were treated to burgers and chips afterwards, before heading to a specially arranged disco.

Claire and Martin Burns said the match was more than they could ever have dreamed of and it was exactly what their son wanted as well.

"It's absolutely fabulous. Football and hurling is his life," said Claire Burns.