Cork fan’s public torture

IT’S his worst nightmare and only you can help.

The Rebel Army’s biggest fan was captured yesterday and “tortured” with reruns of great Kerry matches.

And if that wasn’t bad enough, “Mr Sombrero” Cyril Kavanagh was forced to wear a Kerry jersey, drink Kerry spring water, and eat Kerrygold butter while surrounded by Kerry flags.

His reading material is former Kerry manager Jack O’Connor’s Keys to the Kingdom.

Cyril’s beloved ‘Up Cork’ sombrero has been hung up within sight but just out of reach.

Tripe and drisheen, Barry’s Tea and Murphy’s are all off the menu until Friday at the earliest.

Diehard rebel fan Cyril is being held captive in Cork GAA sponsor’s O2 Experience store on St Patrick’s Street in full view of shoppers. He was close to breaking point last night.

“I’m a bit depressed now alright. This is the toughest thing I’ve ever done and it’s getting worse by the minute. The taunting is awful,” Cyril joked.

“There are fellas walking past kissing their Kerry jerseys. And other fellas are saying I should be locked up for life.

“It’s worse than losing an All Ireland final. I’m depending on the fans to get me out of my hell.”

He pleaded with Tadgh O’Shea, Paddy ‘Beara’ O’Sullivan and his brother, Richard “Nelson Mandella”, to move quickly.

Fans can secure his release in time for Sunday’s crunch Munster final between Cork and Kerry by free texting the number, 50308. He needs at least 3,000 to be set free.

O2 Ireland will donate €1,000 to the Cork CABAS School for children with autism each day Cyril is in captivity.

Rebel fans are also being asked to phone RedFM and prove their love for Cork on air in an effort to free him.

Hurling captain John Gardiner visited Cyril yesterday after former Cork legend and publican Larry Tompkins delivered lunch.

“Cork has a great chance of winning the football this weekend but the lads will need all the support they can get so get texting your support to free our number one fan in time for the match,” Gardiner said.

Meanwhile, free GAA supporters packs are available in all Cork O2 stores to anyone who switches to the mobile phone provider.

Existing customers can get their hands on one of the fan packs by bringing a new customer to the O2 network.