Shay Given suffers heartbreaking double family bereavement over Christmas as ex-Ireland, Newcastle and Man City keeper loses his brother and uncle
- Given's brother Kieran, a singer-songwriter based in Germany, died on the 23rd
- Their uncle Ambrose died on Christmas Day at Donegal Hospice
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Former Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Shay Give suffered a heartbreaking double family loss over the Christmas period.
Given, 47, who played in the Premier League for Newcastle United, Manchester City and Aston Villa, lost his brother Kieran on December 23 and their uncle Ambrose Give on Christmas Day.
Both died after battling illness.
Kieran, a popular singer-songwriter and recording artist originally from Rossgier in Lifford, County Donegal, died peacefully at his home in Altensteig, Germany, where his funeral took place on Saturday.
A family message on the website RIP.ie read: 'Kieran is survived by his devoted wife Doris and his two sons Joshua and Joel.
Irish legend Shay Give has suffered a heartbreaking double family loss
Kieran Given (right), a singer-songwriter based in Germany, passed away on December 23 after a battle with an illness. He is pictured with Shay (left) and their father Seamus
Given a photo with his wife Becky in a snap on Instagram before Christmas
'He is loved and will be sadly missed by his father Seamus, stepmother Margaret, brothers Liam, Marcus, Shay and Paul and sisters Michelle, Sinéad and Jacqueline, along with his nieces and nephews, extended family and many friends in Donegal and in his adopted home in Germany.'
Given's uncle Ambrose died on Christmas Day at Donegal Hospice
Ambrose, late of Knockagarron, Convoy, died at Donegal Hospice on Christmas Day. obituary said. He was buried on December 28 after the funeral mass at St Mary's Church, Convoy.
Mayo Live reported this Ambrose was a regular at St Mary's GAA Club in Convoy, who wrote in a tribute: 'Thank you for everything you did for the little club. The field and grounds would not be there without your efforts and our other loyal people who work tirelessly in the background.”
Shay Give, who won 134 caps for Ireland over two decades, lost his mother Agnes to lung cancer when he was just four and has since raised thousands for Macmillan Cancer Support.
He previously said about grief: 'My father was of course having a hard time, there were six of us at the time. It was very hard for him.
'There is a story in the book [his autobiography Any Given Saturday] about my aunts who, out of love, offered to take a few children each to try to share the burden on my father, but he wouldn't have any of it.
A photo of musician Kieran Seen from his Instagram page – he passed away on December 23rd
Given in action for Manchester City in 2010 during his long and successful playing career
'She told him to take care of the children and not to separate them. My father deserves a lot of credit.
'I used it as strength when playing football. I said a few prayers before a game, prayed to her and I think she was there the whole time helping me. You hope she will be proud when you look down.”