Life as a fan: ‘I’ll have my son standing up for the anthems in the living room’

Shay Given is Ireland’s all-time longest serving player, having played from 1996 to 2016, as he amassed 134 caps. His last competitive game saw him carried off injured in the famous 1-0 win over Germany. Now 41, he’s a free agent.

Q: Your book begins with a powerful first chapter addressing the loss of your mum when you were four. How emotional has the process of writing and discussing this book been for you?

A: Yeah, it was emotional. Even looking back is emotional. For me, my dad, and brother and sisters, it’s quite raw. It happened when we were so young and it’s tragic, of course, but it’s part of my life growing up in Donegal, and all that brought. The tragedy of losing mum when I was only four meant my dad had to deal with six young kids. That was tough.