Upon decamping from the World Cup, the aforementioned Irish soccer legend was left to brood with his beloved Labrador retriever Triggs, who subsequently received the satirical treatment of an “autobiography” ghost-written by Irish journalist Paul Howard. Howard’s best known character/alter ego, however, is what self-proclaimed “greatest never to play for Ireland” schools rugby burnout, Leinster fanatic, and avatar of the excesses of the Celtic Tiger economy? Since introducing the character in 1998, Howard has written a regular newspaper column, over a dozen novels, three plays and a “Guide to (South) Dublin: How to Get By On, Like, €10,000 a Day” in this name. First name only will suffice.
Ross O’Carroll-Kelly