| Goal-hero Ireland donates famous
shirt for charity auction  STEPHEN
Ireland the scorer of the historic first-ever international soccer goal
at Croke Park has donated his shirt from the game to an Irish autistic
charity.
The footballer was approached after the 1-0 win against Wales by supporter
Shane Clarke to sign a shirt he had brought to the game.
The intention was then to raffle the jersey to raise funds for ABACAS
the Drogheda school attended by Mr Clarke’s autistic son Sean.
But Clarke was blown-away when Manchester City star Ireland also donated
his jersey already an important piece of Irish sporting history to help
generate further revenue.
Describing his delight at the gesture Mr Clarke said: “We met Stephen
after the game and I explained we have a boy, Sean, with autism and we
are looking to raise funds for his school.
“I asked Stephen would he sign the jersey he duly did and then
reached into the bag and gave me his jersey. My wife and I are totally
overwhelmed by the gesture.”
An e-mail address stephen irelandjersey@hotmail.com has been set-up for
anyone interested in placing a bid for the shirt. The starting bid is
?1,000 and the closing date for the auction is the April 10. |
