Home is the Longford hero

Beaming Derek Rutherford, a goalkeeper on the Ireland football team that finished sixth at the first ever Transplant World Cup in Italy, was treated to a hero's homecoming in Ballymahon on Monday.

Hundreds of people greeted the Lanesboro-based father of four who works at St Matthew's National School as a special needs assistant.

Derek said the surprise reception, which included an aerial flyover and a guard of honour, was overwhelming and he was very grateful.

"It was a dream come true, to come back and see what the school and community had put on for me, it was so lovely and an absolute fairytale,” he added.

Derek, who had a liver transplant in 2022, said he is also delighted that children at the school have been inspired by his achievement.