Shairoze Akram - the first Pakistan-born footballer to win an All-Ireland medal - says Andy Moran was the one who encouraged him to take up gaelic football.

Akram starred at wing back on the Mayo side that toppled Cork in Saturday's thrilling All-Ireland final in Ennis. He says senior county captain and Ballaghaderreen clubmate Moran was his inspiration:

"It wasn't me, I was persuaded to play the game. Andy Moran, I put it all down to him," he told The Irish Examiner. "I was sort of made go by him and it has taken off from there. I picked the game up when I was in sixth class about eight or nine years ago and I've been playing ever since.

"He'd be one of the players I look up to in the club. He is a great mentor. He's the one who got me involved in football and he has helped me ever since."

Tweet

Most Read Stories