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.’”

The documentary was broadcast on RTÉ last month to mark the 40th anniversary of O’Farrell’s 18-month spell in charge at Old Trafford.

The documentary includes contributions from the now 84-year-old O’Farrell, his first television interview in almost four decades, as well as O’Farrell’s predecessor and Busby’s successor as United boss, Wilf McGuinness, and pundit Eamon Dunphy.

Frank O’Farrell: The Shadow of Busby faces stiff competition for the sports IFTA though, with Rory’s Major Breakthrough, a behind-the-scenes look at Rory McIlroy’s US Open win, also on the shortlist along with Man on a Mission, Eamon Coghlan’s journey to Kenya to meet Irish missionary Colm O’Connell who is training 800m World Champion David Rudisha ahead of this summer’s Olympic Games and Pilgrims – The Irish at Cheltenham which examines the Irish fascination with the Festival. The awards will be held on Saturday February 11.