Ever wanted a GAA jersey signed by Diego Maradona? Well, now's your chance.
A Kerry man has been causing a stir at the World Cup by getting a host of famous footballers to sign a Tralee GAA jersey.
Mike Griffin has already gotten Diego Maradona, Leighton Baines, Patrick Vieira and Ruud van Nistelrooy among other superstars of the game to scrawl their signatures onto his Na Gaeil club jersey. He hopes to auction off the shirt and give the proceeds to a Irish based children's charity.
Baines was the first to sign the jersey. Griffin managed to blag his way into the England team's hotel where he encountered the Everton left-back enjoying his lunch. Baines agreed to sign the jersey and pose for a photo before Griffin was escorted off the premises by security.
Griffin ran into former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira on his journey in Brazil.The Kerry man had the temerity to ask Vieira what his opinion of Roy Keane was, to which the Frenchman replied "no comment."
By far the most impressive autograph on the Na Gaeil jersey belongs to a certain Argentian, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest to have ever played the game.
Griffin tracked down Maradona at his hotel and went on the hunt for the legend's signature. Luckily, Maradona was walking through the foyer soon after Griffin arrived. After explaining his story to the Argentinian's entourage, Maradona obliged in adding his autograph to the shirt.
Other personalities Griffin came across include Italy's 2006 World Cup winning captain Fabio Cannavaro. Ireland manager Martin O'Neill, BBC pundits Gary Lineker, ITV's Ian Wright and Dutch striker Robin Van Persie.
Visit Mike's specially created Facebook page for more. Or read this interview with him in the Examiner.
