Republic of Ireland soccer manager Martin O'Neill has revealed how two seats from the old Nally Stand at Croke Park take "pride of of place" in his back garden.

Speaking at the Irish Daily Star GAA awards in Croke Park last night, O'Neill told the story of how he sat on his mother's knee in the Nally Stand when his native Derry faced Dublin in the 1958 All-Ireland football final. By chance, he happened to be in Dublin years later for a pre-season friendly with Celtic when the Nally Stand was being taken down and the seats were being given out to supporters.

After making enquiries, two seats were delivered to Martin in his Celtic Park office a few days later and they can now be found in his back garden!

O'Neill also paid tribute to Kilkenny's 10-times All-Ireland winning hurling manager Brian Cody, remarking how he would be looking for words of advice from him before Ireland's upcoming European Champions qualifier against Scotland at Celtic Park.

O'Neill's background is steeped in the GAA. His father Leo was a founder-member of the Padraig Pearses club in Kilrea, while his brothers Gerry and Leo jnr were members of Derry's 1958 Ulster SFC winning squad.

Martin was a fine Gaelic footballer himself, excelling in the colours of Kilrea, Derry (underage) and St. Malachy's College, Belfast before becoming a professional soccer player.

Tweet

Most Read Stories