Praise for 'amazing' Shay Given after interview on Tommy Tiernan Show

Praised has poured in for former Irish goalkeeper Shay Given after he spoke on the Tommy Tiernan Show about the death of his mother when he was aged 4, and the recent death of his brother and uncle. 

Despite the trauma of losing his mother at such a young age, Shay showed he was determined and resourceful from early on. 

"My mum passing, I used it as a strength. I really did, when I played and when I trained, trying to make her proud. I know it’s not a positive losing your mum so young, but I tried to use it as a positive, if that makes sense," he said.

"There's that big person in your life as a four-year-old. My youngest is six now and I think if her mum passed away, I think I’d be like 'wow, how would she cope? She couldn't cope'."

Shay hailed his step-mother, Margaret, for stepping in to fill the maternal void left in the lives of him and his five siblings.

"That’s a big job, to take six kids on as well. That was a special woman who does that," he said. 

Another blow came for the family last Christmas when Shay lost his 52-year-old brother, Kieran - a father of two boys.

Shay said he had been sick for around a year and passed away on December 23. An uncle passed away on December 25. 

"Life is tough at times," Shay said. 

He said it was particularly tough on his dad, who will turn 80 this year. 

He said one of the traits needed to be a top goalkeeper was to be "fearless". 

“Whatever it takes to stop the ball… then I’m going to do it’

Shay Given considers what it takes to be a great goalkeeper #TommyTiernanShow @tommedian @No1shaygiven pic.twitter.com/lH7l1HLWyX

— RTÉ One (@RTEOne) April 6, 2024

He also recalled puncturing his bowel from a collision in a game. Despite a three-month lay-off following the injury, the first game back, he slid in to stop a one-v-one chance. 

"That's just me. Whatever it take to stop the ball going that way, I'm going to do it," he said. 

His interview generated a lot of praise on social media.

"What an amazing character is Shay Given," one person wrote. 

"Superb keeper and such a genuinely nice guy. Great ambassador for Ireland," another added.