I haven’t posted on here for a long time, but I just wanted to take the opportunity to pay tribute to Liam.
I went to school with Liam and played on various teams with him. He was a year ahead of us and we were quite simply in awe of him.
He could do anything, in a sporting sense. He absolutely pulled the piss with his ability on the ball but always was extremely patient with those of us who simply existed in a different world talent wise.
I remember him being absolutely incredible at GAA as well. He had zero interest and it was only just to get out of lessons that he even played but ,wow what he could do!
Hurling is a particularly skillful game and one in which practice is very important but as a 14 year old he was easily top 5 in Cork.
He once showed up for a final after being begged by a teacher to play. He borrowed my spare Hurley borrowed a helmet from a sub and scored about 2-8 from play in a game we won by a couple of points. A pure natural sportsperson.
Liam wore the United jersey with Cantona on the back day in day out. Teachers would murder him but as a compromise he’d pop the collar and wear the tie only! We reckoned he must have had a dozen United shirts! He absolutely loved the club. He’d mimic Martin Tyler in the 5 a side pitch and commentate.
“United need a goal, Cantona has it. Here it comes.” Then he’d run fecking rings around us and score.
He left school without any qualifications to go to Celtic at age 15. He broke every fitness record there. Scored 16 on the dreaded bleep test apparently. He had graft to go with talent.
His time at United didn’t work out and people say he should have stayed at Celtic for a year or two but knowing him, even at a distance it was clear he couldn’t ever turn down United.
Please bear this in mind before criticism. He was fulfilling a dream that became reality.
Anytime he was around Cork and we’d run into him he’d always stop for a chat and ask how we’re going. Remembered names and all.
To say we’re gutted and in shock is an understatement. It’s gonna take a miracle for him now I’m afraid. It looks like he only has days left.
More than anything, he is a fine man with a lovely wife and 3 kids.
Hopefully the hierarchy will put out a tweet in support, I know it would mean a lot. The United family needs to rally round now more than ever.
I’m not a religious person but my mam is, and she lit a candle for Liam this morning.
Let’s hope he pulls through.