Après Match star takes on the tale of Irish football legend Ollie Byrne
Gary Cooke stars as the late Shelbourne chairman Ollie Byrne.
In late 1975, Cork Celtic lured George Best into playing in the League of Ireland. His best years, excusing the pun, were behind him. It was a decade since he’d won his first title with Manchester United, but Best could still draw a crowd. Cork Celtic made a deal – covering his expenses and match fees while holding onto gate receipts.
The arrangement was for home games (in Flower Lodge and Turner’s Cross), but somehow, Ollie Byrne, Shelbourne FC’s legendary chairman, got wind of the deal. In January 1976, with Cork Celtic due to play Shels away, Byrne brokered a deal where his club covered Best’s expenses and wages for the match, provided Shelbourne kept the gate receipts.
