Radio star Declan Pierce said it’s “a dream come true” that he’s here to see the boys in blue take on the Kingdom in the All Ireland final.
The Today Fm presenter, 44, suffered a subarachnoid brain haemorrhage in February after going for a run and spent two weeks in critical care in Beaumont Hospital.
The Block Rock Rockin Beats DJ said after facing his own “mortality” celebrations like seeing the Dubs play is more emotional.
Speaking ahead of the big game, Dubs fanatic Dec told us: “It’s a dream come true for me to come to Croke Park to see Dublin in an All Ireland final again.
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“When I got sick this year, it just wasn't possible for me to go to anything. I'm still recovering.”
He’s slowly getting back to his passions although heeds caution in big crowds.
He said: “I would have always gone into Hill 16, but I won't be able to go there for a while because there's too many people around and it will just be all too much for me, but I'll have a seat on the day.”
His symptoms are “improving”. He added: “I have some fatigue issues, dizziness, sensory overload issues as well.
“So when I do something, you know, involves a bit of energy, like a gig, or radio show, or just sometimes day to day activities. And I know I have to rest afterwards.”
Playing to a crowd of 5000 at Fairview Park it was a big step.
He added: “Fairview Park on the 24th of June and I walked out on stage to 5000 people. People said to me, were you nervous?
“I said, ‘No, I was not nervous’ because when you've had something like a haemorrhage, or an experience where you see your own mortality, you understand that we're all human and that you can die.
“When you come back from a situation like that things like work and sporting occasions and playing music or an All Ireland final become all the more enjoyable.
“I don’t take anything for granted anymore.
“I'm extremely grateful every day that I'm healthy and doing stuff like going to the All Ireland final.”
“Every time I go to a sporting occasion now it is emotional, and it's a big thing.
“I’ll be going to the game with my Dad Declan and my little girl Ava who’s six and it will be her first All Ireland.
“Win or lose it will be a very emotional game.”
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