Connor O’Sullivan was a young man from Gorey, Co. Wexford who passed away in 2002 after a brave battle against Ewing’s Sarcoma.

These are extracts from Connor’s speech that he gave to the ‘Make a Wish Foundation’.

My name is Conor O’Sullivan from Gorey, Co. Wexford. I am a supporter of Liverpool Football Club since I was six years old when my Aunt Margaret gave me a Liverpool jersey belonging to my first cousin, and I am still hooked! my younger brother Ronan doesn’t have as good taste as myself, he is a man United Supporter.

I live in Gorey Co. Wexford. Gorey has a population of approximately 6000 people and is situated 60 miles south of the Capital Dublin. It is very close to many of the beautiful beaches of the Sunny SouthEast. I am the eldest of a family of three, i have a younger brother called Ronan aged 13 and a sister named Tara aged 10 years. In March 2001 I was diagnosed in Our Lady’s Hospital, Dublin with Ewing Sarcoma, which is cancer of the bone. I underwent a course of chemotherapy for 12 months, which was very difficult experience. I also had 32 sessions of radiotherapy in St. Lukes Hospital, Dublin. From the moment my disease was diagnosed i was determined that I was going to beat it. during my treatment there were many low points but thanks to the support of my family and friends and especially my girlfriend Helena I have come through it all.

While attending Our Ladys Hospital for treatment my mother first heard of the Make a Wish Foundation. It seemed like a marvellous organisation and on arriving home my mother accessed the foundation on the internet. My first wish was to go see Ireland play Germany in the World Cup in Japan. My second wish was to go to Anfield to see Liverpool play Man United and to meet the players. My third wish was to drive a monster dump truck.

In April following I heard the great news that the Make a Wish Foundation had secured match tickets and that my first wish was to come true. Declan Collins from Enterprise Ireland was the man who donated the tickets. Everything was now in place for the trip of a lifetime.

On arriving in Tokyo we were met at the airport by Make a Wish Japan representatives. My first impression of Japan was the warmth of the welcome which myself and my family received. The excitement I felt at arriving overcame the tiredness of the long flight.

On Tuesday the excitement was starting to build up as I anticipated one of the highlights of the tour. As we nearned the hotel we merged with a sea of green suddenly it was like being home away from home. I discovered that I was only one of thousands of Irish supporters who had made the long journey from Ireland, however I had a particularly privileged position as I was going to meet Mick McCarthy and the entire squad.

On the morning of the Match Day I awoke earlier than usual. Throughout the morning I had to keep reminding myself that I had actually met the team and that I was going on the coach to see Ireland play Germany in the World Cup. When we boarded the coach we were privileged to be in the company of the families of the Irish Players. After a journey of two hours we arrived at Kashima soccer Stadium, where we enjoyed a prematch show of entertainment by our Japanese Hosts.

Dressed in our Irish colours from head to toe we eventually found our seats in the stadium from which we had an excellent view. of the match itself two events stand out in my mind, firstly Roddie Kean’s dramatic last minute equaliser, but even more memorable my Dad’s celebration of the goal. Back in the hotel the atmosphere was reaching fever pitch as we stood in the hotellobby having formed a guard of honour to greet our heroes.

Mick Byrne turned in my direction and shouted to me that “that tonight was for you Conor”.

My wish had really come true and I will be enternally grateful to the Make a Wish Foundation for the trip of a lifetime.