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Dublin Live
Dublin Live
Sport
David Donnelly

Family overjoyed as Ireland star Festy Ebosele surprises young fan

Irish footballer Festy Ebosele made a fan's day as he travelled to surprise her at football training yesterday.

Derby County fan Dave May contacted the Ireland star in the hope of obtaining an autograph for his daughter Bella, whose favourite player is Ebosele.

The former St Joseph's Boys and Bray Wanderers man went one step further however as he took the trip with his girlfriend to surprise Bella at training in Mansfield.

Ireland under-21 international Ebosele presented her with one of his jerseys and father Dave was so touched he penned a note of thanks on Twitter.

Ebosele has been linked with a move away from County, who are currently in administration and facing potentially going out of business.

The Wayne Rooney-managed club have already turned down a bid from rivals Nottingham Forest, while a host of Bundesliga clubs are believed to be preparing offers.

"This is why Derby have to survive," said May in his post on social media.

"So after a tough year for Bella I wanted to do something to make her smile. Despite everything this year she has a heart of gold and just keeps on going.

"Her favourite player at Derby is Festy Ebosele. Well tonight he has made her day, month, year, life. I contacted him to see if Bella could get an autograph.

"But Festy, being the top man he is, decided he would travel to Mansfield to surprise her at football training. Her face when he turned up and said 'hello Bella' was just the best.

"This guy is only 19 but he is the kindest person and made Bella feel like a million dollars. It also helped he has a dog and his girlfriend came along who was brilliant with her also.

"Lots of footballers get a bad name but Festy is one of the very best. He's Derby through and through and said he is not leaving."

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