IRISH soccer legend Shay Given went on the Late Late Show in Dublin last night and told the nation what most of them don’t know – the love of Glasgow Celtic in Co Donegal!
The 36-year-old was speaking to RTE’s Ryan Tubridy as the build-up to Euro 2012 continues.
He spoke of his support for cancer charities in the UK and Ireland because his mum died from cancer when he was just five.
His wife has helped to raise €1.2 milion, he said.
But asked about his early career, the Lifford man – “I have fond memories of growing up in Donegal” – talked about the options facing him as a 16-year-old.
And in front of him was Manchester United (who are they?) and Celtic.
“My love for Celtic swayed the decision,” he told Tubridy.
No surprise there for Hoops fans in the county fed up with the national broadcaster failing to realise the incredible cultural connection with Celtic and Ireland.
Shay last week didn’t rule out a return to Celtic, who he left to join Blackburn because he was kept out of the Hoops first team by one Packie Bonner.
On TV in Dublin tonight Shay was a credit (as he always is) to his family and friends – and to Donegal.
He spoke about Thierry Henry again – and being robbed by the French.
But Shay also said he might stay on in football for the next World Cup in Brazil – using Mrs Doyle from Father Ted…in a “go on, you will, you will, you will” bit o’craic.
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