AS ALWAYS, THE book segment on The Late Late Toy Show was full of characters. There was a little boy called Kyllian, who for some reason, could direct Ryan Tubridy to the Titanic Exhibition in Belfast via motorway, a little girl called Clodagh who began reading when she was a year old and the very dapper Michael, who went all out for The Toy Show in his best suit.  

Michael, who was from Kerry, has a visual impairment, so he was chosen to talk Ryan through this year’s selection of books in braille. From the get-go, we knew Michael was going to give us a few laughs. Ryan said, “Michael! Tell me about what’s happening with Sam Maguire.”  Michael replied coolly, “Well, Ryan. We need Sam back in Kerry.”

At this point, Michael was well on his way to securing himself a place in the RTÉ Archives, as one of the most memorable kids on the show. He gave Select Suits in Tralee a shoutout for providing him with a suit that made him look like Kerry’s answer to Conor McGregor. After giving the shoutout, he chuckled, “Oh they’d be delighted with that!” 

I just like looking good for big occasions. 

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Despite the fact that Michael’s a massive GAA and hurling fan, he has never been to Croke Park. The time eventually came that Ryan presented each of the young readers with a personalised surprise. Clodagh got a day out with her favourite illustrator, Fatti Burke and Kyllian was told he’s off to spend a day backstage with his favourite band, Picture This.

Then Ryan got around to Michael. “You’re a big man for GAA.” Michael replied with a very firm “Yep.” Michael began to tell Ryan that his favourite manager was Davy Fitzgerald, because he’s very “passionate about his sport.” Ryan asked Michael if he reckoned he’d get along with Davy, and despite being such a huge fan, Michael said “No, he’s from Sixmilebridge.” 

Ryan said, “You can tell him yourself because he’s here.” Michael was in total disbelief and repeatedly said “He’s not here. He’s not here. He’s not here. Why are you saying that?” When Davy came out and took a seat beside Michael, he was speechless. Ryan had to give him a minute to think of what he wanted to say to his hero, and eventually Michael asked Davy “How are you so passionate?” Davy replied:

Michael, I suppose I’m like you. I’m a fighter. Right? And I like to win. That’s important to me. It’s like you wanting Kerry to get back and win again. I’m the same, I want my teams to win y’know. 

At this point, Michael realised what he really wanted to say to Davy. “D’ya know what? I have your book in the back and I need you to sign it.” 

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Then, it was time for Davy and Ryan to tell Michael what his surprise was. 

Davy said, “I need another passionate man. We have three important league games coming up. We’re playing Limerick, we’re playing Tipp and we’re playing Kilkenny and we’d like you to come, maybe speak to the team before we go out. If you’d be up for it. Would you be up for something like that? I’d love you to come, so is that a deal, is it?”

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Finally, they told Michael that he’d be going to Croke Park next year to see an All Ireland final of his choice, which he was even more surprised about. It’s safe to say that he was pleased after his big night on The Late Late Toy Show. 

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