Shane joins a grand day for Sligo rugby fans

By Sharon Conway

WESTLIFE’S Shane Filan was one of hundreds of Sligo rugby fans who turned out for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the Grand Slam trophy cup in Sligo.

The crowd celebrated and reminisced over Ireland’s recent Grand Slam victory in Wales - as the O2’s Grand Slam Trophy tour visited Sligo’s O2 Store on O’Connell Street, on Friday.

During the RBS 6 Nations championship O2 gave Sligo rugby fans the opportunity to pledge their support and ‘Be the Difference’ to the Irish rugby team for the five gruelling encounters against some of the best rugby teams in the world.

Thousands of Sligo rugby fans took part in O2’s ‘Be the Difference’ campaign, signing up by text, online or visiting their local O2 store.

To thank Sligo rugby fans for signing up to the campaign, O2 offered them the chance to get their hands on the coveted 6 Nations and Triple Crown silverware and have their photo taken with the Grand Slam Trophy Tour.

Source: Sligo Weekender
Credit:Westlife.gr

Shane gives Kian marriage advice

By Elaine McGuinness

Father-of-two Shane Filan has advised Kian to enjoy his big day this week and all that marriage has to offer.

Shane is expected to join band mates Nicky and Mark this week in a star-studded bash to witness fellow band mate Kian tie the knot with fiancιe Jodi Albert.

“He’s got a great girl in Jodie, and a fantastic relationship. They’ve been together a long time so it’s about time they got married!”

Speaking to the Sligo Post last Friday Shane said that his life only started to mean something after he became a father.

He and his wife Gillian had their second child late last year and the Westlife star told the Post how his life has changed since having children.

“Having kids definitely puts life into perspective. In my opinion, I’ve only started living since I had kids.

“Hopefully, there’ll be many more.”

Speaking about the latest arrival, Patrick, born last September, the pop star said he was glad to have had the opportunity to be at home.

“It was wonderful to be there when Patrick was born, to be able to take the last nine months off and spend time at home.

“We’ve got six weeks left before we get straight back into work. I’m enjoying every minute of it.”

The singer, who already has a four-year-old daughter, Nicole, continued to say that Westlife are heading to Nashville in June to start recording on their new album.

“We got new people with fresh songs and fresh material. We feel the last year has had too many covers so we’re back to originals like our first album, with some great pop songs."

Credit/Source: www.sligopost.com

MY DEBT TO STARS

by Staff Reporter, Liverpool Echo

KENNY Dalglish today paid glowing tribute to the long list of legends and celebrities who have pledged to turn out at Anfield next week for the Hillsborough 20th Anniversary Memorial game.

World boxing great Joe Calzaghe will be among a host of famous names to appear at Anfield next Thursday night, including Robbie Fowler and Paul Gascoigne plus a long list of former Everton and Liverpool greats.

Kop legend Fowler has promised to fly in from Australia, where he is now playing with A-League side North Queensland, to take part in a Liverpool Legends v All Stars encounter.

Other top names on show in the match will include Dalglish himself, Alan Hansen, Dave Watson, Alan Stubbs, Gary Gillespie, Trevor Steven and Graham Stuart.

Singer Craig David and Nicky Byrne from Westlife are among a line-up of celebrities who will also play in the match - which will pay tribute to the 96 victims of the Leppings Lane disaster in 1989 while also raising money for the Marina Dalglish appeal to help build a £15m radiotherapy unit at Aintree Hospital in Fazakerley.

Dalglish said: “The support from everyone for this game has been truly amazing and I must thank every one of the lads for agreeing to come along and play.

“I’ve never seen Joe Calzaghe play football before but he is one of boxing’s all time greats with a magnificent unbeaten record - and anyway someone said he should add a fair bit of punch up front!

“Robbie is flying in from Australia and Gazza will be there too.

“Everyone has been magnificent since being approached and the intention is to put on a real good game for the fans to come along and really enjoy.”

Nigel Clough and Des Walker, who both played for Nottingham Forest during the ill-fated FA Cup semi final match against Liverpool 20 years ago, will also be turning out.

Former Liverpool keeper Paul Harrison, whose father Gary and uncle Stephen were among the 96 killed at Hillsborough, will play in goal for the Reds.

Added Dalglish: “I think people understand that the money we are raising from this game will help provide a wonderful, world class facility with state of the art medical equipment here in Liverpool.

“Right now an awful lot of people have to travel very long distances to Clatterbridge for radiotherapy treatment and it can be a long and difficult journey for a lot of people.

“Hopefully the people of Merseyside, who have been brilliant and so generous down the years, will come along and show their magnificent support yet again.

“There’ll be a real family feel to the occasion and a few laughs no doubt - but rest assured everyone will take the game seriously.

“Certainly the celebs like Nicky, Craig Johnny Wlkes and Gethin Jones, who won Strictly Come dancing, can all play a fair bit.”

Tickets for the match on Thursday, May 14 (7.45pm ko) cost £15 for adults and £5 for under-17s. They are available from the ticket office, online from www.liverpoolfc.tv or by calling 0844 844 0844.

Credit/Source: www.liverpoolecho.co.uk