Pierce aims to emulate old school pal Parrott

AS TROY Parrott looks to fire Ireland to the World Cup next year, his former schoolmate Pierce O'Leary has his sights set on becoming a world champion.

- By ROBERT HYNES

‘Big Bang’ is back in action tonight as he headlines a show for the first time as he faces Argentinian southpaw Braian Esequiel Ronner (5-5-1) in Nottingham.

O'Leary is a proud son of Dublin's north inner city and just like Parrott, Kellie Harrington, Emmet Brennan and John Giles and Wes Hoolahan before them is one of many sports stars to emerge from the area. So how come this community keeps producing such brilliant talent?

“Street football, street boxing, it’s all raw talent” O'Leary explains. “You can’t produce it. I'm hoping it’s not a dying phase.

“But, please God, it’s not. That's where we learned it all, on the streets and here we are now today

“Obviously sport has saved many, many people and going forward, it’s going to save so many more. But, the opportunities that sport has given us and being able to put where we're from on the map, it's priceless.”

O'Leary and Parrott attended O'Connell School, a stone's throw away from Croke Park.

“I went to school with Troy, he was two years below me. I had a few football shots with him alright’ laughed O'Leary.

“We went to the same school, grew up together. He was no different than any other kid.”

O'Leary, like the rest of the country and beyond, was buzzing with Parrott’s heroics against Portugal and Hungary last month.

The 23-year-old’s third goal against the Hungarians in the 96th minute of the World Cup qualifier sparked jubilant scenes across Ireland and the world.

“The last goal... how back home went... it was crazy, absolutely nuts, but it's good; said O'Leary.

“People have been blown away by it, but for us, it’s just normal. ‘The talent is just normal because we see it every day. We grew up around it.

“Irish sport is booming. It doesn't matter whether youre a runner or a footballer, playing Gaelic or rugby, they've got the crowds behind them. They're just waiting for Big Bang at the 3Arena’