Pro footballer priest speaks at JP2 Awards
A MAN who played alongside footballing greats such as David Beckham and Roy Keane was the guest of honour at a special ceremony to honour young people who have made a positive contribution to their parishes across the diocese of Ferns. Fr Philip Mulryne told the remarkable tale of how he went from playing professional football with Manchester United and Norwich, as well as earning international caps for Northern Ireland, to leaving the glitz and glamour of professional football behind to become a Dominican priest.
The John Paul II Awards were set up to commemorate the late pontiff and his love of young people by honouring youngsters aged between 16 and 18 who are actively involved in their local parish and contribute in a positive way to their local communities. Teenagers from Carnew were honoured at the event, which was launched by Bishop Denis Brennan, who encouraged young people to live their faith and make a difference to their parish community.
Fr Mulryne had the audience engrossed with his tales of lining out next to football greats such as Paul Scholes and Roy Keane. He joined Manchester United while they were in their pomp in 1994, but was unable to force his way into Alex Ferguson’s side, leaving for Norwich where he reportedly earned around €600,000 per year. He spoke of how he found God and decided to join the Dominican order and encouraged the young people to make prayer one of their daily habits
A total of 14 young people received their certificates and medals on the night, namely – Cathal Doyle, Aoife Kehoe, Oonagh O’Brien, Laura Doherty, Luke Murphy, Julie Mullins, Aaron Naylor, Orla Bass, Helen Hughes, Aoife Healy, Denise Osborne, Aleksandra Kurek and Eoin Donlon who are students of Coláiste Bhríde, Carnew. Also receiving the Award was Éirinn Quaid who did the Award through the Parish of Carnew.