WATCH: Limerick rugby coach selected as a leader for Operation Transformation 2024
Father of two tells viewers how he overcame rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma
A LIMERICK man has been chosen as one of the five leaders for this years series of Operation Transformation on RTÉ television.
Darragh Fitzgerald from Corbally in the city opened up on the first programme of the series about his health journey and his love for the game of rugby.
While playing rugby from a young age Darragh was hit with a cancer diagnosis at the age of 16.
The now 37-year-old father of two overcame a rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma called Burkitts at this young age after having a tumour removed from his bowel.
Darragh who lives with his fiancé Yvonne, and their two young children, Rian (8) and Roisin (2) in Limerick was also called into hospital two years ago for an abnormal heart rhythm.
Speaking about the challenge ahead, Darragh told RTÉ: “It's a superb opportunity really, to have the five experts at hand over the eight weeks. To lean on them and to tap into their knowledge and experience; to me that's invaluable."
He also stated that he no longer played rugby but still coaches with St Mary's junior team and has been active all his life.
He said he has concerns about his size and his lifestyle which means he struggles with separating his working life from his home life.
Limerick people showed their support for Darragh after the first episode aired on Wednesday night, including his beloved rugby club St Mary's RFC.
Operation Transformation airs on RTÉ One television and on the RTÉ Player at 9:35pm on Wednesdays