Robbie Keane pays his own tribute to Irish fan who drowned at the Euros

Ireland captain remembers James Nolan after Galaxy goal

Ireland captain Robbie Keane has dedicated his latest goal to the memory tragic of Irish soccer fan James Nolan.

Keane unveiled an LA Galaxy jersey with the message ‘RIP James Nolan’ after scoring the MLS on Saturday night.

Nolan will be buried on Monday in his native Wicklow after falling into a river and drowning in the Polish city of Bydgoszcz.

He was in Poland with a group of friends following the Irish team at the European Championships when he went missing.

Keane and Irish manager Giovanni Trapattoni issued messages of support to Nolan’s family during a week long search for the fan.

Irish players are expected to attend Monday’s funeral in Blessington and Keane paid his own respects with his tribute after scoring in a 3-0 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps.

After scoring his goal in the 30th minute, Keane collected a Galaxy shirt from the subs bench which read ‘RIP James Nolan’ on the back.

Keane said: “James was a young Irish fan who went to Poland, 21 years of age, and unfortunately drowned.

“Obviously, the whole country was sad and I called his father today to send my condolences and to say that my thoughts were with him and the family.

“It was just a gesture because the Irish people are very close and they stick with each other through good times and bad times.

“He was a big, big soccer fan and it was a shame, so it was just a show of respect really.”
 

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Nster.com