Sad news about my friend Joe

THE news about Joe Kinnear’s dementia is terribly sad.

But it’s not a surprise as it’s become so common with players of that generation.

That’s my generation too, and I’m very lucky that I’ve been spared so far.

I know Joe (below) well and used to room with him on

Ireland duty.

He is a great character and one of the funniest guys you’d ever meet.

Footballers are being diagnosed with dementia at a rate that is significantly higher than that of the general population.

So many wonderful ex- players have ended up with this cruel disease.

A lot more research needs to go into this issue.