Vialli aims to score in Erin’s Isle rematch

FORMER Chelsea striker and manager Gianluca Vialli is coming to Finglas this summer to test his managerial skills with Erin’s Isle.

The legendary Italian will lead the local club in a rematch of their infamous, bitter 1998 All-Ireland Club Semi-Final match against West Cork’s Castlehaven.

Back then the Finglas club looked to be on their way out of the competition when Charlie Redmond got sent off, the team was six points behind and there were just minutes left.

But in a bizarre and wonderful turn of events, goals from Ciaran O'Hare and Robbie Boyle helped the Finglas lads pinch an unlikely victory.

Two decades later, the teams will face each other in a special recreation game as part of AIB’s The Toughest Rivalry mini-series.

Vialli’s Erin’s Isle side will face a Castlehaven selection managed by former Bournemouth, Portsmouth, Southampton and Spurs manager, Harry Redknapp.

Both managers have been brought over by AIB, sponsors of the AIB Club Championships and All-Ireland Senior Football Championship.

Vialli is looking forward to the challenge of seeing if he can transfer his soccer knowledge into the world of GAA.

“I am very excited to embark on this journey with AIB,” he said.

“I have learned a lot during my 30 years involved in professional football as a player and manager, but I am delighted to get the opportunity to come to Ireland and learn more about GAA.

“I am interested in seeing what it is that makes this sport so special.”