Kevin Kilbane: Dad wanted Mayo win more than anything in life

Former Republic of Ireland international Kevin Kilbane has never been shy in his support of Mayo and if Cillian O’Connor finally lifts Sam Maguire, Kilbane’s late father Farrell will be close to his thoughts.

Although Kevin was born and raised in Preston, Farrell was a native of Achill Island and trips to the Irish Centre in Manchester to watch GAA championship games were a regular part of the former soccer star’s childhood.

“When I was a kid growing up, we would have had to go to Manchester to watch the games in the Irish Centre,” said the man who won 110 caps for Ireland. “We would have headed over with one of my uncles... and watched some of the bigger games like All-Ireland semis or finals. That is where we would have had to get our fix when we were growing up.”