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Football

19th Dec 2017

Hero Jon Walters gives David Meyler the burn he desperately needed

He was asking for it

Ben Kiely

You have to love Jon Walters.

You have to love Jon Walters because of his passion. He pours his heart and soul into that green jersey. He fights for every ball, does all the hard running and can produce a finish or two when the pressure is on.

You have to love him because he loves Ireland. It’s impossible not to appreciate how proud he is of representing his country. He does it for his family, he does it for his Mum and whenever he does it, he puts all his energy into doing it.

You have to love him for his heart. No matter how famous he gets, that thing beating in his chest remains as huge as always. He’s selfless, humble and is more than willing to use his profile and his money for the greater good.

You have to love him for those two goals against Bosnia, the three against Austria and, of course, that sweet first one against Estonia.

And also, you have to love him for his wicked sense of humour. He’s not afraid to put Wayne Rooney back in his box. If there’s craic to be had, he’s bloody well having it and if someone’s making a fool out of themselves, he is ready to call them out on it.

Even if it’s a teammate.

https://twitter.com/DavidMeyler7/status/943211199633809408

We all thought it. We all thought about writing that tweet, hitting send before instantly regretting it.

But one man didn’t.

One man had the balls to do what we all should have done. One man proved to be the hero in Meyler’s hour of need. He may not realise it now, but eventually, the Cork man will appreciate it was actually a thoughtful gesture.

That one man is, obviously, Jon Walters.

Jon Walters, we salute you!

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