Mike’s Rio grand after Ozil signs on

Given the journey, the signatures secured, the football legends greeted, how fitting it was that Mike Griffin’s time in Rio de Janeiro ended with World Cup winner Mesut Ozil scribbling on his neck.

The Tralee native, who has been lining his Na Gaeil GAA shirt with autographs of footballers past and present since arriving in the Brazilian capital, was at the Maracana for Sunday’s decider. Upon the final whistle, Griffin set about securing one final signature.

“I squished my way into the category one seating area pitch-side, an area of seating reserved for business people and the family and friends of the players,” recounts Griffin.