Robbie Brady: Everything you need to know about Ireland’s new hero

News

Jun 23, 2016

Roars of delight and shrieks of disbelief echoed up and down the country last night as Robbie Brady led the Republic of Ireland into the last 16 of Euro 2016.

With just six minutes left on the clock at Stade Pierre Mauroy in Lille, the Dublin-native put Ireland ahead of opponents Italy before our boys in green ultimately walked away with a one-nil victory.

While the latest edits to his Wikipedia page laud the 24-year-old as ‘an absolute beauty’ and ‘a God who walks among us’, just who is the man who sent our entire country into a tailspin with a header last night?

As any football fanatic will know, Robbie’s prowess on the pitch was recognised long before Stade Pierre Mauro erupted last night.

From a family of football enthusiasts in Baldoyle – both Robbie's younger and older brothers have played internationally at U-17 and U-18 level – Robbie was first spotted as a teen by a Manchester United scout while playing for St. Kevin's Boys.

Having joined the premiere league team in 2011 before being transferred on loan to Hull City, Robbie now plays for Norwich City after signing a £10 million deal in 2015, but made his U21 debut for the Republic of Ireland in 2010 before being called into the senior team two years later.

And, as we know, behind every great man stands one pretty incredible woman.

Long-term girlfriend and mum to his two-year-old daughter Halle, Kerrie Harris, runs Soul2Soul, a very successful dance school in Swords, and could be seen tearfully embracing the overjoyed footballer from the stands in Stade Pierre Mauroy last night.

Commenting on the goal which will go down in Irish sporting history, Robbie said: "I dunno. My body started to carry my legs into the box. Just trust in Wes to put it where it hurts and I've managed to get my head on it."

"I'm lost for words really, I'm over the moon, emotional. It's unbelievable," he said as he listened to the sounds of jubilant Irish fans celebrating the team's victory.

"Just have a look around and have a listen to what it means to everyone that's involved, me included," he added.