A DREAM has come true for one football-mad Fermanagh teenager after meeting Liverpool FC manager, Jurgen Klopp, and his star players.

Wheelchair-bound Jonah Adams (13), who was born with spina bifida and hydrocephalus, has supported the famous football club since he was in primary school and was so overwhelmed that he cried when he found out about his trip of a lifetime.

The second year Devenish College pupil, from Trasna Road, Maguiresbridge, has spent most of his life in and out of hospital and has endured countless operations for various conditions.

His trip over to meet the Premier League club’s charismatic German boss and several of the first-team squad was organised by children’s charity, Rays of Sunshine, which was formed in 2003 to brighten the lives of children across the UK living with serious or life-limiting illnesses.

Accompanying him on the three-day dream trip earlier this month were proud parents, Grahame and Karen, and 14-year-old sister Sarah, a pupil at Enniskillen Royal Grammar School.

Unfortunately, oldest sister Hannah (16), also a pupil at Enniskillen Royal, was unable to make it across to Liverpool as she was due to sit a GCSE exam during the same week.

Speaking to the Impartial Reporter on Monday, Jonah’s mum, Karen, revealed some of the struggles that her young son has faced up to so far during his short life.

She said that, when he was only six years old, he spent five weeks in hospital. During that time, he had surgery on his head seven times.

The Maguiresbridge woman also revealed that, over the last three years, Jonah has had a series of spinal operations and been in hospital for other conditions.

Community nurse, Martina McGrath, who has helped provide care for Jonah over the years, approached Karen last September and said she would like to put his name forward for a ‘dream trip’ as he “deserved something”.

When the nurse asked Jonah’s mother what he would like to do, there was only one reply!

“His biggest wish has always been to go to Liverpool,” Karen said.

The nurse’s application was subsequently accepted by Rays of Sunshine, but Jonah’s parents only found out that it might be happening less than a week prior to leaving.

Karen said: “Gemma from Rays of Sunshine contacted us on Friday, April 28 to say that the trip would possibly be happening the following Wednesday.

“We only found out on the Tuesday that it was definitely going ahead. We didn’t tell Jonah until teatime and he was so overwhelmed by the news that he cried. It was just a big shock!”

During their stay, the family were given a special guided tour of Liverpool’s famous old stadium, Anfield, and then whisked away to the club’s training facility, Melwood, where they met the players and the main man, Jurgen Klopp.

Jonah admitted that it felt “very good” to be given a chance to sit in the Liverpool manager’s seat in the home dug-out at Anfield.

“It was class,” he added.

The teenager said he had been “very excited” to meet his favourite Liverpool player, Senegal international Sadio Mane, as well as a host of other stars, including classy Brazilians Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino, and England international Adam Lallana.

Jonah and his family were particularly impressed by Klopp, who spoke to them for a few minutes after the first team training session had ended.

Grahame said: “He was a very relaxed man. Even his clothes were casual.”

Describing the experience as a “dream come true” for her son, Karen thanked Martina McGrath for her role in turning it into a reality.

“Only for Martina, it would not have happened. She went above and beyond all we expected. We also want to thank Gemma from Rays of Sunshine, who was brilliant,” she added.

Meanwhile, Devenish College principal, Simon Mowbray, said that Jonah had been a “real inspiration” to pupils and staff alike since transferring from Maguiresbridge Primary School.

Mr. Mowbray said: “We were delighted to hear that Jonah had the once in a lifetime opportunity to make the journey to Liverpool to meet the players and manager of Liverpool FC.

“He always has a smile on his face and has a steely determination to achieve his full potential. I know he thoroughly enjoyed his trip and he was really excited to show us his photographs and recount his experience.”