Take a bow James McClean, it’s altogether deserved.
The modern footballer catches a lot of flak for being overpaid, cosseted, disconnected from fans, precious and out of touch.
It is, of course, an unfair generalisation. Like any profession, there are the good folk and the not so good folk. The whingers, the spoiled brats, the hard workers, the honest types and every other point on the spectrum.
If anyone ever argues that all footballers are entitled and out of touch, you can retort with two words: ‘James McClean’.
On the field, the Republic of Ireland midfielder is uncompromising and combative but, as he demonstrates time and time again, he is one of the most big-hearted men in the country.
On Monday our own Conan Doherty brought to light the plight of the Oxford Bulls, a Derry-based team of footballers with Down Syndrome.
They were a team but had no opposition.
The response to the article was phenomenal, with Kevin Morrison, the father of one of the players, Adam, detailing on Facebook all the help they received.
“We’ve received literally hundreds of offers of matches, help with travel & accommodation, advice and assistance on a monumental scale – we’ve even been offered new training tops by a sportswear company down south. I’ve answered as many messages as I could but still have to get back to some more clubs and individuals.”
Then, on Thursday, McClean turned up with a scratch team to take on the Bulls.
They finally got a game https://t.co/nEoATJItbp
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) March 29, 2017
The pictures and video in the piece above say it all about what the day meant for the team and, understandably, the reaction has been amazing.
McClean’s predecessor on the left wing for Ireland, Kevin Kilbane – whose daughter Elsie was born with Down Syndrome – paid tribute to the West Brom winger.
Great stuff from James McClean https://t.co/MKoePDHKb6
— Kevin Kilbane (@kdkilbane77) March 29, 2017
https://twitter.com/juliette_grace/status/847326366152314880
But he was far from alone, the word ‘legend’ was used a lot.
https://t.co/6M1YYUCAOc James McClean proving yet again how much of a legend he is
— Michael Kerrigan (@kerriganmickey) March 30, 2017
I love James McClean what a legend https://t.co/JeYWrFeG6V
— Ross (@RossM3110) March 29, 2017
James McClean is an absolute legend
— Gary Fitzsimons (@GaryFitzsimons_) March 29, 2017
https://twitter.com/AMC1991_/status/847221666015006722
Others could not get over the joy it brought to the children.
https://twitter.com/beveridge1994/status/847236156085248000
https://twitter.com/AfroooMat/status/847242490142892032
https://twitter.com/AdLovesCurry/status/847340454639157249
Others were asking when the public perception of McClean may change.
James McClean gets some stick sometimes, but this is great! https://t.co/moNOA3vWww
— Matthew Phillips (@matt_the_jack) March 29, 2017
James McClean is a class act https://t.co/EuEyTaqo5I
— John D (@gsjohn67) March 29, 2017
https://twitter.com/baggiewire/status/847215026817699840
Well done to @JOEdotie for carrying the story. Think of him what you will but you can't deny the man is a decent human being #JamesMcClean
— Damien McLaren (@DamienMcLaren) March 29, 2017
Of all the times I've been wrong, which is a lot, I've never been more wrong than my original opinion of James McClean. He is a fucking hero
— David Kelly (@kellierisgr8) March 29, 2017
We think Danny sums it up best, however.
https://twitter.com/BrianKiddsMate/status/847206148537241600
