Her Heroes Of The Year… These Guys Are A Special Bunch

Ever wondered where all the good men are gone? Or where are all the gods? So have we, and this year we got tired of waiting around and set out to locate the heroes ourselves.  In the last few months they've flocked from all over the country, and although they all hold a special place in our hearts, there are a few we've a softer spot for. Favouritism we hear you say? Yes, yes it is. Here are the #HerHeroesOfTheYear, they're a seriously special bunch of gentlemen.   1. Three lads that have vocal chords you just want to be friends with… Glenn Murphy, Ronan Scolard and Oisin O’Callaghan, first met a college and continue to regularly meet up for a sing song. This acapella cover of possibly one of the most famous and annoying tracks, 500 Miles, made famous by The Proclaimers, is simply beautiful. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlk9OHdXhso The arrangement and vocal harmonies are absolutely stunning. Take a bow, lads.   2. The greatest GAA fan of the year and one man who definitely puts the fan in fanatic.  This video titled “On McGrath Boi,” shows one Clare hurling fan getting into the game, ten minutes before it had even started. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_SfA8Mnl90 His sheer enthusiasm is admirable, and his reaction to the Clare team being named will put a smile on your face.   3. The Internet guru and legend, Mr. Heneghan from County Mayo. A few months ago the Kiltimagh parish marked their 125th anniversary with a function held in the church located 300 yards from his home, Heneghan made sure he didn’t miss a minute of it, tuning in online. Sure why move from the comfort of your own home when you can watch mass from the living room… Gent! This is so Irish and we love him for it.   4. Irish Anchorman fanatic, John Carroll. John decided to pull out all the stops for the London premiere of Anchorman 2 during the week by dressing up as a giant lamp. The Irish lad had the bright idea for his costume after his friend decided to go as Channel 4 News Team weatherman, Brick Tamland. A deserving high five from Will Ferrell.   5. 'Opt For Life' hero, Joe Brolly. The RTÉ GAA pundit hit our screens back in November with a touching documentary Perfect Match, profiling a worthy cause very close to the heart of this extraordinary Derry man, while pulling the heart-stings of the entire country. The programme documents Brolly’s ‘Opt For Life’ campaign, following the story of the television pundit donating a kidney to a man, Shane Finnegan, whom he barely knew. The operation itself, in the end, was a failure,  the bond between the two men however, was not. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jd6F4SKdVu8 His passion, honesty, wit, charm and zest for life, not to mention his wish to change the lives of others, makes him a hero amongst men.   6. Onscreen and off screen Garda, Kieran O’ Reilly. When Love/Hate introduced Detective Garda Ciaran Madden to the force determined to bring Nidge and the boys to justice, no one realised he had done this sort of thing before. Detective Garda Ciaran played by real life Detective Garda, Kieran O’Reilly… Just change the K to a C, be grand they said. The 35-year-old has no previous acting experience, however was a natural in the RTÉ hit drama. It could be something to do with his previous link to several long-term undercover operations against major criminals, but that’s just a guess. As it turned out, he was also the frontman of a band too. He can sing, he can act, he can fight crime… is there anything this man can’t do?!   7. ‘Blue steel’ extraordinaire, Luke Hickey. Our first ever #HerHerOfTheWeek went to this guy... Luke was that chancer in the audience giving his best Zoolander impression live on the Late Late Show… Twice in one night, sure he was spoiling us!   Ladies we shall see you back in the new year, selecting more gentlemen to be #HerHero, not without your help of course… How can you help? Send an image of someone you think is an absolute hero, and if we agree, your entry will get a very deserving and coveted place. He doesn’t have to be fast, he doesn’t necessarily have to be brave, or have ever been involved in a fight in his life… but it may help. The picture can be anything, a nice gesture from your boyfriend (providing you have one), a text from your Dad or friend, or even someone lovely you happen to meet on the street. Surprise us! Send your potential Her Heroes to grace.oreilly@her.ie or use the #HerHeroOfTheWeek on Twitter. Until 2014 ladies… We’ll have this Bonnie Tyler classic on repeat. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fpjuoKhfJo