Victorious Limerick hurlers pay surprise visit to Children’s Ark at UHL
John Kiely, Cian Lynch, Tom Morrissey and Barry Nash delight patients, parents and staff with UHL visit
LIMERICK 24.07.2023 ¦ ALL-IRELAND hurling champions, Limerick, kept a special appointment en route to their homecoming reception in the Treaty City this Monday at the Children’s Ark at University Hospital Limerick.
The Limerick hurlers have been frequent visitors to the paediatric unit, and the anticipation for their arrival today was particularly keen amid local celebrations of their epic 0-30 to 2-15 victory over Kilkenny at Croke Park on Sunday, and their historic fourth successive All Ireland title.
Captain of the winning team, Cian Lynch, joined by hurlers Tom Morrissey and Barry Nash, and victorious manager John Kiely, proudly displayed the Liam MacCarthy Cup and mingled with staff and patients in bright sunshine at a special lunchtime gathering in the playground of the paediatric unit.
Mr Kiely and the star hurlers also made time to visit the young inpatients in the unit, happily stopping for selfies with staff and chatting with numerous excited parents who expressed their gratitude for the visit, and for the huge positive impact of the team’s continued sporting success story.
The Children’s Ark at University Hospital Limerick comprises the Rainbow Ward, for babies and children up to 3 years; the Sunshine Ward, for children from 3-16 years; and the Caterpillar Ward, for children with oncology shared care with Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin, and those who need blood transfusions, diabetes care and other services. The Ark also has a Paediatric High Dependency Unit; a Cystic Fibrosis Unit, a Paediatric Diabetes Care Department, and a school catering for the educational needs of children and young people in hospital.