Fair play to the Ryanair boss, he can spot a great bit of PR.
Hot on the heels of Denis O’Brien funding both the FAI and the return of Jonny Sexton with some of his personal fortune, another Irish businessman is attempting to step into the sporting benevolence sphere.
According to the back page of today’s Irish Daily Star, Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary has been in touch with Jack Grealish’s family to offer them a sweetener if the Aston Villa midfielder declares his international future to the Boys in Green.
The 19-year-old has represented Ireland at underage level but he has yet to decide whether he wishes to play at senior level for Ireland or declare for England.
John Fallon reports that O’Leary was in touch with Grealish’s father and agent Kevin via Facebook offering free flights to Dublin and back for the family for the player’s Irish debut.
It is an unusual ploy by O’Leary but we won’t be complaining if it works.
