‘He was born in East Wall, a huge football man’ Coleman to honour Irish dad
CHRIS COLEMAN has revealed his Irish father’s ashes are scattered in the River Liffey and plans to mark a poignant return to Dublin with Wales by remembering the man who guided his football career once Friday’s vital World Cup qualifier is over.
Three years ago Coleman carried out his father Paddy’s wish in a ceremony in front of the city’s oldest pub that involved pouring a pint of Guinness into the water. Coleman said he will keep a drink of the famous stout for himself while thinking of his father should Wales beat the Republic of Ireland to reinvigorate their attempts to reach Russia 2018.
Coleman said his dad, who moved to Swansea in his early 20s and died in the city’s Morriston Hospital aged 74, always encouraged his son to play for Wales rather than Ireland.
‘I will think about my father because it’s his city and he would have wanted us to do well,’ said Coleman.
‘He was born in East Wall and was a huge football man. I started playing football at the age of seven and he was one of those who never raised his voice.
‘I watched parents sometimes on the touchlines at youth games and they are screaming and shouting, which is not the way to go. I wouldn’t have got to different levels without his guidance.
‘He lived in Swansea for 50 years, but he still had his Dublin accent and never changed. He passed away three years ago. Unfortunately for him it was going wrong for me with Wales so he never got to see us at the tournament. I was very close to him. He always pushed me to play for Wales.’
Coleman said he, his two sisters, and wife Charlotte travelled over to Dublin to scatter his father’s ashes.
‘We did it outside the Brazen Head Pub, next to the River Liffey, which is the oldest pub in Dublin,’ he said. ‘It dates back to 1198 and the history is incredible. I thought it was poignant.
‘I used to take him back most summers for a few days. He would have a little roam around where he was brought up. He always said, “Make sure you do it there.” It was his request.
‘The Guinness into the Liffey is a done thing where he is from. If I’m honest with you I did have a little drop first! It was €8 a pint! I’ll have a pint after the game definitely, and that will be remembering him. But beforehand it will be business. It’s not a friendly visit.’
That was the case when Jack Charlton tried to recruit Coleman for Ireland ahead of the qualifying campaign for USA 94.
‘There was a tentative phone call that came my way,’ he said. ‘But my father was always Wales.’
As regards Friday’s tie, Coleman has described Wales as in ‘pretty good condition’ after avoiding the injury problems which have beset World Cup rivals the Republic of Ireland.
Martin O’Neill’s man have had to contend with a catalogue of injuries ahead of the crunch Group D qualifier at the Aviva Stadium.
Striker Daryl Murphy has become the latest Republic casualty in joining injured quartet Shane Duffy, Ciaran Clark, Wes Hoolahan and Harry Arter, as well as the suspended Robbie Brady, on the sidelines.
Wales lost in-form Ipswich frontman Tom Lawrence to a hip injury on Monday, with his place taken by Liverpool youngster Harry Wilson.
But every member of Coleman’s 23-man squad trained on Tuesday morning, including Liverpool’s rising star Ben Woodburn.
The 17-year-old striker joined the likes of Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey at their Vale of Glamorgan base for the first time, and thirdplaced Wales appear in good health as they attempt to close the fourpoint gap on group leaders the Republic.
‘We are a very good team when we’re at our best and at our strongest,’ Coleman added.
‘We need these players on the pitch consistently and we’re in pretty good condition.
‘The squad might have looked different two or three months ago.
‘But we’ve got players back, and I’ve picked those who have been on the front foot and are most ready for this challenge.’