O’Farrell’s story vies for award at IFTAs

A DOCUMENTARY on the only Irishman to manage Manchester United has been shortlisted for Best Sports Programme at this year’s Irish Film and Television Awards (IFTAs).

Frank O’Farrell: The Shadow of Busby tells the story of the difficulties Cork man O’Farrell encountered working under the shadow of legendary European Cup winning manager Matt Busby, a man who retained a huge influence within the club even after his retirement in 1969.

“He was interfering,’’ O’Farrell says of Busby’s role at Old Trafford at that time. “I could understand him being close to (these) players but he shouldn’t have listened. He should have said ‘Go to the manager, go and sort it out with him.’”