The invasion of a lonely West Cork farmhouse by a group of armed men, a shooting, and the lucky escape of a family member are some of the ingredients of a family secret which has been kept under wraps for nearly a century — only to be revealed tomorrow.

The council is painstakingly restoring the house in Emmet Square, Clonakilty, where Collins once worked.

Tonight the Airtricity League kicks off after a 12-round close-season that left even Roddy ‘Queensbury Rules’ Collins punch-drunk. After all the off-field attrition – though the battle scars are yet to heal – a football match will break out.