Billy leads Manchester United out at Old Trafford
Dreams came true for one young Cahir soccer player when he not only got to lead his beloved Manchester United out on to the pitch at Old Trafford, recently, but in front of thousands of soccer fans he had a kick-around with Emanuel Vidic and John O'Shea.
Nine-year-old Billy Cooney, from Cahir, was the lucky youngster to act as team mascot for the Manchester United versus Newcastle United game, when they kicked off their league campaign on August 16 last.
From a staunch Manchester United supporting family, Billy has been attending matches in Old Trafford since he was a baby, and dad Brian (also a life-long Manchester United supporter) made sure his son carried on the family tradition of becoming a season ticket holder for Old Trafford when he was just four years old. Brian has been a season ticket holder for 21 years.
On the day of the match Brian described how the players and support staff at Old Trafford made it a real day to remember for Billy. The day started meeting their hostess who took them on a tour of the Manchester United museum. Then they were allowed to have a look behind the scenes at Old Trafford and the player areas.
The two Cahir soccer fans had an opportunity to meet the Manchester players as they arrived to warm up when they were glad to sign autographs and pose for photographs. Brian and Billy watched with interest as Alex Ferguson was interviewed for Sky television and then they met the manager.
Before the match started Billy was togged out in a full kit, presented to him by the club, and even the match referee was nice to him, checking he was ok and explaining what his own job was. Billy proudly walked out on to the pitch beside Vidic and then shook hands with the NEwcastle players before taking part in the kick-about with the Manchester players, before the match kicked off.
Billy got to sit in special mascot seats in the South Stand with his dad, while his proud family watched from their season ticket seats.
"He really enjoyed it. He had a proud beam on his face and wasn't star struck, talking to everybody. The players were just phenomenal," Brian told The Nationalist, adding that they were warm and gave young Billy time and attention.
Billy is also a big Ireland fan and was delighted to be at the opening match in the Aviva Stadium with his grandad, this summer.
Brian admitted that it was a special day for him too. As well as being a Man U supporter Brian previously played with Cahir Park and these days is deeply involved in the Irish soccer scene as a coach with the Irish paralympic team, who are now ranked fifth in the world.
Winning the competition that allowed him to become his team's mascot made for an unforgettable day out for the whole Cooney family, including mum Pamela, Billy's twin sister Molly and his little sister Sadhbh. Granny and Granddad Margaret and Ollie Matthews, from Clonmel, travelled to the match to support Billy, as did uncle Paul Matthews, who is based in Manchester.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Weather for Clonmel
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 4 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 6 C to 8 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: South
