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18th Mar 2017

Paul McGrath opens up about alcoholism on The Late Late Show (and tells a very funny Italia 90 story)

Rory Cashin

The Late Late Show was filled to the brim with Irish talent last night to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.

Alongside the likes of Annalise Murphy, Jason Byrne, Michael Healy Rae, Eamon Dunphy and staff at Dublin Zoo, living legend and sports hero Paul McGrath joined Ryan Tubridy on the show and was his usual bracingly honest self.

McGrath spoke to to Tubridy at length about his dependency on alcohol, and how a recent injury set him back and forced him to re-evaluate his addiction issues.

But ever the good sport, McGrath quickly went into a great story set in the 1990 World Cup involving some fellow Irish team-mates.

Anyone who has ever played a game of spoons will already know where this is heading, but this also involves the Italian police, Ronny Whelan, large ladles, Ray Houghton, kegs of Guinness and Jack Charlton allowing the team to break the rules on the eve of a very important match.

All clips via The Late Late Show