Football legend Roy Keane has been credited with facilitating a Christmas miracle at a children's hospital ward in his native Cork.
Dr Niamh Ni Loinsigh has recalled how the Manchester United great visited a ward unannounced one year and gave a sick child "the boost and the energy that they needed".
The doctor said she "debated long and hard" about telling the story, but believes "people need to hear something nice".
READ MORE: Roy Keane to celebrate Christmas with family and do usual tradition
Speaking in the video, which was posted on Twitter, Dr Ni Loinsigh said: "This is a Roy Keane appreciation post. Trigger warning, I will be discussing childhood illness and Roy Keane may also be a trigger for some of you, but most of you know that Roy Keane is a hero in Cork.
"The closest thing I ever witnessed to a Christmas miracle was facilitated I think by Roy Keane.
"This was 20 years ago and we were looking after a patient who was very, very unwell and it came to a point we weren't really sure if they were going to make it.
"Unannounced and without any fanfare, Roy Keane came to visit the children's ward and he gave that child the boost and the energy that they needed to just keep going a little bit more I think.
"On Christmas Eve, the professor of paediatrics rang me in tears and I feared the worst, but no he said that this child was completely better and was going home. So thanks Roy."
Many people hailed Keane a hero on the post and told stories of meeting the former Republic of Ireland captain.
One said: "Lovely story. I was working in CUH childrens ward in the playroom 20years ago!!! The day Roy came to visit! He was lovely with the kids, must say we were all a bit star struck."
Another commented: "Just a fantastic story a true Cork legend."
Someone else tweeted: "My nephew met Roy and the United team after a terrible life changing accident and he's went from strength to strength. Great man and still the greatest United captain."
One other post read: "He is the most understood and lovely man…. I’ve shared many a dog walk with him and he’s been so so nice and charming."
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