Stars align to launch Michael’s Fan Club

World Cup icon Niall Quinn, Dublin stars Con O’Callaghan and Kate O’Sullivan, Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley, soccer legend Liam Brady and golfer Rory McIlroy are among the sporting greats supporting Michael’s Fan Club, a children’s cancer charity launched with the publication of a memoir of sports-mad 8-year-old Michael Horgan, who died of brain cancer in 2023. The launch, organised by Michael’s classmates, took place in the Gibson Hotel in Dublin with almost 300 people in attendance.

Written by Michael’s father Conor, Is Maradona in Heaven? is a tearful yet uplifting account of a child’s cancer journey spanning 18 months. Facing the certainty of Michael’s imminent death from incurable brain cancer, parents Conor and Anne found inspiration in their son’s bravery to make his final few months brim full of the people and things he loved, many of them rooted in sport.

Its publication is in aid of the new charity, founded by Conor and Anne, which aims to bring joy to kids battling cancer through sport.

The book recounts how, alongside endless gifts of signed merchandise from sports stars, Michael led out Spurs against Manchester United in the Premiership, played golf at the Irish Open pro-am with Rory McIlroy thanks to Make A Wish, welcomed the victorious Dubs with the Sam Maguire trophy to his bedroom and received a video message from Arsenal star Saka on his 8th birthday.    

Michael’s Fan Cub aims to light up the lives of kids in treatment through similar experiences – taking them to matches and securing mascot slots, meet-ups with sporting heroes and signed jerseys and other items.

“Many of the sports fans who helped Michael on his journey have come together now to help out other sick kids,” says Conor Horgan. “As the name suggests, this fan base is at the heart of the charity.”    

“As was the case with Michael, one of the hardest things for children in treatment is having to forego active sport. With Michael’s Fan Club we’re plugging a gap, in keeping the thrill of sport alive for them, albeit in a different way.”      

“I think the book is in part a tribute to my son. It is also, perhaps, a guide of sorts for parents navigating a child’s cancer. But mostly it’s simply the thoughts and experiences of a father confronted by the unthinkable.”  

Dubliner Conor, a respected PR veteran, is regularly in the media in his role as spokesperson of the business group Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL).    

Edited by journalist Eddie Cunningham, “Is Maradona in Heaven” is available in hardback from michaelsfanclub.ie at €25 including p&p within Ireland.  All proceeds go to the Michael’s Fan Club charity.