Newcastle icon Shay Given suffers two deaths in family over Christmas as keeper devastated
Former Newcastle and Man City goalkeeper Shay Given suffered a double family bereavement over Christmas – leaving the Premier League and Ireland icon heartbroken
Former Premier League goalkeeper Shay Given has been left heartbroken after suffering two family deaths over Christmas.
The Newcastle United and Republic of Ireland icon lost his brother Kieran Given on December 23 and their uncle, Ambrose Given, passed away on Christmas Day after both have battled against recent illnesses.
Popular singer-songwriter and artist Kieran, formerly of Rossgier in Lifford, Co Donegal, died peacefully at his home in Altensteig, Germany, where his funeral took place on Saturday. While just two days later, Ambrose died at Donegal Hospice after a short illness.
Given lost his mum Agnes to lung cancer when he was just four and has since helped organise several fundraising events in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support in his home of Donegal. The 47-year-old has been very open regarding his grief, he previously said: "My dad had a tough time of course, there were six of us at the time. It was very tough for him.
“There is a story in the book about my aunties who offered through love to take a couple of kids each to try and share the burden on my dad, but he was having none of it. She told him to take care of the kids and don't split them up. My dad deserves great credit."
He added: "I used it as a strength while playing football. I'd say a few prayers before a game, pray to her and I think she was there helping me all the time. You hope she'd be proud of you looking down."
Given began his senior career at Blackburn Rovers after leaving Celtic’s academy, he made his Premier League debut in December 1996 and would go on to make 451 top-flight appearances across a 20-year career.
The 134-time Ireland international joined Newcastle in 1997 and made 463 appearances for the Magpies, before leaving in 2009 to join Manchester City. He later played for Aston Villa, Stoke City and a brief spell at Middlesbrough in the Championship - seeing him go down as one of the league’s most highly rated shot-stoppers.