Irish soccer star whose grannies both came back from the dead

 

By LUCY BALLINGER - More by this author » Last updated at 00:08am on 15th September 2007 Comments

When Premiership footballer Stephen Ireland pulled out of an international match because his grandmother had died, he had a nation's sympathy.

 

Here, many observed, was proof that our much-maligned professional footballers do have a sensitive side.

A private jet was chartered by the Football Association of Ireland at a cost of £50,000 to whisk the 21-year-old home from Slovakia, where he had scored while playing for the Republic of Ireland the night before.

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White lie: Stephen Ireland lied to protect his girlfriend, who suffered a miscarriage

 

 

A statement was issued saying the Manchester City player's maternal grandmother Patricia Tallon, who had raised him since he was five, had passed away.

However, no one was more shocked to hear of the death than Mrs Tallon herself - who is alive and well and living in Cork.

After the FAI discovered the truth, manager Stephen Staunton phoned the midfielder to confront him.

Ireland said that in the confusion over the news he had given the wrong name, and it was actually his paternal grandmother, Brenda Kitchener, who had died.

The sympathetic manager relayed this news to the FAI who put out another statement explaining the truth. Or so they thought.

For there was uproar from Mrs Kitchener's family when they read newspapers the following day - as she is also alive and well.

The disclosures last night forced Ireland into admitting he had lied twice because he wanted to return home early and he has now apologised to both grandparents.

He said the real reason he had wanted to get out of the Euro 2008 qualifier against the Czech Republic on Wednesday - which Ireland lost 1-0 - was because his girlfriend Jessica had suffered a miscarriage.

His decision to lie was described as 'stupid' by Manchester City manager Sven Goran Eriksson.

Ireland, who has two children by a previous partner, said: "Jessica said she was very lonely and wanted me to come home.

"I realise now that it was a massive mistake on my part to tell the FAI and Manchester City that my grandmothers had died and I deeply regret it."

Staunton said: "Stephen Ireland is a player who loves playing for his country and unfortunately made a poor judgment call because of the traumatic circumstances he found himself in."

PRAT!!!

 

If he stayed and played then he might have been able to make a difference and get at least 1 point for Ireland.