Philly's tragic brother will always be his role model

Dubs' hero says John's addiction to heroin helped shaped his life

- MICHELLE FLEMING

GAA hero Philly McMahon said his brother who died of heroin addiction will always be his role model. 

The Dublin legend said tragic sibling John is the inspiration behind projects like his new TV show, Gaelic In The Joy, which starts tonight on RTE.

In the three-part series, Philly and his friend and comedian Rory O’Connor go into Mountjoy Jail to coach inmates on a football team.

Philly, 35, who grew up in Ballymun, North Dublin, told the Irish Mirror: “A lot of people ask who’s my role model in life and I say John.

“He always will be. People think a role model has to be someone who made positive choices.

“But while John, unfortunately, made bad choices and ended up struggling with addiction from looking at his journey, he’s still influencing me. John’s legacy is a purpose.

“There were times when I was in flats with drugs everywhere but I managed to walk out.