Houdi McCabe 
For nearly four years, I trained as a retail store manager in Dublin. As 1985 arrived, I was offered a good opportunity in the company’s biggest store, which was due to open very soon in West Belfast. Understandably, I was delighted to be offered such a prestigious role but anxious that I might not have the ability to succeed. Living in the war-torn part of our island also caused me some apprehension as I had no relatives, friends or any …
The World Cup final of 2006 was remembered for only one thing. Zinedine Zidane being sent off for head butting Italian Marco Materazzi in the chest. Despite Zidane winning the Golden Ball award he returned to France somewhat tainted despite his achievements. That’s how I felt a couple of weeks later, turning the key for the last time on the shutters of the department store I managed on Crumlin Road Belfast. In the first instance it was a risky decision …
In 1985 at 24 years old he became the WBA World Boxing Champion. The BBC Sports Personality of the Year followed shortly after. As I watched him lift both these awards I kept thinking ‘that could have been me’ as I defeated him in a competition some years previously in St. Tiarnach’s Park in our hometown of Clones Co. Monaghan. Finbar Patrick Mc Guigan and I attended the same schools. He was always very competitive at every activity. But so …