Local boy meets his hero

By JJ Hurley

Six-year-old Declan Ryan saw his dreams come true last weekend when he met his golfing hero Shane Lowry at RTÉ studios. Declan was selected from thousands of applications to attend Late Late Toy Show auditions in Cork and was later chosen as a Toy Demonstrator on the show, watched by over 1.7 million viewers on Friday December 5th.

On the night, Declan met host Patrick Kielty and delighted audiences by demonstrating toy dinosaurs and dragons. He also showcased his self-invented game, “Pitch & Potty”, where he chipped balls into an old potty he had rescued from being thrown out.

Declan Ryan with his hero Shane Lowry

A major surprise followed when a video message from Shane Lowry was played, inviting Declan to spend a day with him at the Amgen Irish Open at Trump Doonbeg next year. Shane also gifted him a signed Ryder Cup flag, presented live on air.

An avid young golfer at Kinsale Golf Club, Declan dreams of becoming a professional and breaking Jack Nicklaus’s major record. As he told his dad afterwards, “This is the best day of my life.”