Paul O'Connell looking forward to seeing cousin Eoghan in action

Ireland rugby captain Paul O’Connell says he’s looking forward to visiting Parkhead to see his cousin Eoghan O’Connell line out for Celtic.

Ballinlough footballer O’Connell (18) has soared through the ranks under Neil Lennon, appearing on the first-team bench yesterday for the sixth game in a row. The defender is close to making his league debut after Lennon handed him run-outs in the recent Antalya Cup friendlies against Trabzonspor and Galatasaray. And the teen hails from famous sporting stock. His Dad Damien played for Cork City and Cobh Ramblers, while cousin Paul has scaled the heights in rugby. One consolation the Ireland and Munster skipper can foresee from retirement is the window it will provide to watch his younger relative.

“I’m delighted to see Eoghan develop his career at Celtic,” he said. “It’s going to be a tough journey for him at Celtic. We’re hoping he makes it through because I’ll be retiring in about two years and I’ll be able to get over to Glasgow and Parkhead every second weekend to watch him play and bring a gang of the family over.