Tommy over ops and set to line out for Wexford!
HAVING bounced back from two heart surgeries in the space of a few weeks, young Wexford man Tommy Kinsella will be hoping to provide the inspiration for his beloved Wexford hurlers to bounce back strong in the Allianz League as they take on Kilkenny at Wexford Park on February 16.
Despite having his vital heart surgery cancelled eight times and having suffered some complications in the meantime, Tommy’s parents Nóirín and Gary and sister Katelyn have been amazed by how quickly he’s bounced back. Having received his initial surgery, Tommy was released from Crumlin Children’s Hospital to go home. However, after spending one night in his own bed, he was brought back to Wexford General and then sent to Crumlin once more by ambulance to have a pacemaker fitted, a procedure that was unexpected.
‘It’s really amazing to see how quickly he’s coming along,’ said proud mother Nóirín. ‘He’s making remarkable progress. To see him come through two major surgeries like that is amazing. Thankfully he’s home again now and he’s doing really, really well.’
What gave Tommy an extra lift was a special delivery of the brand new Wexford jersey and his Mam has also had a very high profile well-wisher in the form of Wexford manager Davy Fitzgerald.
‘He’s going to be the official mascot for the Wexford v Kilkenny game and he’s over the moon about it,’ said Nóirín. ‘We had the PRO for Wexford GAA PJ Howlin on to line everything up and Tommy can’t wait. He’s obsessed with Wexford hurling. We’re all delighted and Davy Fitz seems to be taking a genuine interest in how he’s doing and he’s promised him a day that he won’t forget, which I’ve no doubt it will be!’
The staff at Crumlin came in for some wonderful praise from Nóirín and Gary and the parents are now hoping to raise some vital funds to help the whole team at the Children’s Heart Centre in Crumlin. Numerous Wexford businesses have donated some wonderful prizes to be raffled off to anyone who makes a donation and you can do so at www.justgiving.com/teamtommyk. All support for this wonderful cause is greatly appreciated and the Kinsellas are hopeful they’ll raise enough to some way repay the wonderful care that young Tommy received in Crumlin. ‘We just really wanted to give something back,’ Nóirín said. ‘We’re so grateful and the support we’ve received from everyone in Wexford has been absolutely brilliant.’