Sam Maguire visits patients and staff at Mayo University Hospital

THERE was an unprecedented sense of celebration at Mayo University Hospital on Friday as members of Mayo's All-Ireland winning football team brought the Sam Maguire Cup for a visit.

Mayo manager Andy Moran and a number of players visited patients throughout the hospital, including the paediatric ward, renal dialysis, oncology day ward, and a number of in patient wards, taking time to meet patients, families and staff.

For many patients who were unable to join the team’s homecoming celebrations, the visit brought the excitement of the All-Ireland final victory right to their bedside, as the team posed for photographs, signed autographs and shared the Sam Maguire Cup, making it a memorable occasion for everyone they met.

Catherine Donohoe, hospital manager at Mayo University Hospital, said: “We were delighted to welcome Andy and his players with the Sam Maguire Cup. Their visit brought so much joy to our patients, their families and our staff. They were incredibly generous with their time, taking the opportunity to speak with patients across the hospital and making everyone feel included in the celebrations.

“We thank Andy and the team members for visiting and congratulate them on their fantastic All-Ireland success. We also acknowledge that we could not get them to all patients as there just was not time enough. I am also really grateful to the staff for ensuring the visit went off safely.”

Said Andy Moran: “Days like this are special. It was very important to us that we visited those who maybe couldn’t make it to the public celebrations. It was great to be able to spend some time with patients, their families and the staff at Mayo University Hospital.

“The positivity we saw throughout the hospital was inspiring, and we hope our visit brought a few smiles and created some happy memories for everyone we met.”