Dubs hero Philly makes fans’ day as

DUBLIN GAA star Philly McMahon put smiles on the faces of some of his biggest fans at a special signing of his new book, ‘The Choice’, in the capital.

The Ballymun man (30) posed for pictures with fans at the signing in Eason on O’Connell Street yesterday as he prepared for the official launch of the book today in The Helix.

The book recounts his childhood growing up in Ballymun and explores the drug epidemic that affected his family and tore the community apart.

The footballer’s brother, John, tragically died in 2012 at the age of 31 after a long battle with heroin addiction.

In his book, McMahon recounts his relationship with his older brother and credits the GAA with saving him from the path his brother went down.

During an appearance on Friday’s ‘Late Late Show’, McMahon discussed how he had often been the subject of taunts from others over his brother’s struggle with drug addiction.

He recalled one incident when an opposition player tried to sabotage his performance during a match by bringing up the subject of his brother.

“But it just empowered me and I played better,” he said. The footballer, who has won five All-Ireland titles with Dublin, doesn’t believe “tough love” is the right way to help someone with an addiction and said forming a strong connection with them is more important.