Belfast Giants Share Title Triumph with ‘Coach Dáithí’

Following their recent Elite League title win the Belfast Giants Captain David Goodwin found the time to call a very special fan, Dáithí.

Dáithí Mac Gabhann is a five-year-old from Belfast diagnosed with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome.

He’s been waiting on the transplant list for a new heart for nearly four years now.

Due to organ donation laws in Northern Ireland Dáithí was struggling to find a suitable donor.

This is due to North Ireland’s previous opt-in system where someone had to volunteer themselves for organ donation.

Recently the campaign Donate4Daithi succeeded in changing this and ‘Dáithí’s Law’ has been passed.

This now means that a person would have to opt-out of being an organ donor.

This does not mean Dáithí and his family’s mission is over as they continue to appeal to people to discuss donation with family members.

The Belfast Giants have been huge supporters of the campaign and are a part of Dáithí’s family now.

Dáithí’s father Maírtín Mac Gabhann spoke on this, saying: “He has become known as Coach Dáithí this year within the Belfast Giants squad and has become a bit of a lucky charm.

“We are so blessed to have the Giants in our lives and are beyond grateful to the whole team.”

Following the Giants’ 2-1 penalty shootout win over the Sheffield Steelers this relationship was again on display.

Captain David Goodwin in a display of pure sportsmanship picked up the Elite League title…then his phone to call Dáithí himself.

Following the @BelfastGiants Elite League win, Captain David Goodwin not only lifted the trophy but also his phone to call Coach Daithi, (@Donate4Daithi) 💚

A class act from the Giants Captain! 🙌

📸: @hayleylouz pic.twitter.com/MUuVRikciM

— British Ice Hockey 🏒 (@BritIceHockey) April 12, 2022

“We couldn’t be in Sheffield at the weekend, but they made sure we were included. Our Captain David Goodwin lifted the cup, and then lifted the phone to Dáithí,” said Maírtín.

A beautiful moment which will never be forgotten by either Goodwin or Dáithí.