Vieira tackles PE in Limerick school

Children attending a school in Limerick were overjoyed yesterday when French soccer star Patrick Vieira arrived at the school for an impromptu PE lesson.

The former Arsenal and Manchester City playmaker brought the FA Cup won by the Blues last year to St Gabriels National School in Dooradoyle, as part of a week-long tour of Ireland.

St Gabriel’s provides education and therapy to 47 young people with physical, intellectual and sensory disabilities and developmental delay.

“It is very good to be here today. I think when you are a footballer, you are scoring goals and trying to win games but being here this morning is a different level. When you see the smiles of the kids, that is priceless and, as a football club, it is really important for us to be close to the community,” Vieira explained.

He said it was important to come to Ireland because of the many Irish fans of the Premier League.

The reaction of the children struck a deep chord with the former World Cup winner, who is now enjoying an off-field role with Manchester City.

“It is really difficult to find the words. As a footballer you always feel like you are privileged and, I am healthy and, you see some of the kids here who are struggling, to be honest, and to spend a few hours and try to make them smile, make the parents smile, I think is to be something that we should do more.”

When asked about his old nemesis, Roy Keane, Vieira said: “I was expecting that, I am surprised it took you so long to mention him. I met him a few weeks ago at a charity dinner and we had a chat — he is...When you play against the best, this kind of relationship is respect, I have a big respect for him and what he has done in his career, he was a fantastic example for me when I starting, as a leader, and I enjoyed playing against him every single time.”

Vieira is part of a 10-man team from Manchester City FC touring the country to promote the game and to greet supporters.

There are 17 official City Supporters Clubs in Ireland and Northern Ireland, with close to 650 members.