Northern Ireland

'Datsun Donaghy' returns to serenade Red Hands ahead of All-Ireland final

Conor Grimes has released a new video ahead of the All Ireland final under his alter-ego 'Datsun Donaghy'
Conor Grimes has released a new video ahead of the All Ireland final under his alter-ego 'Datsun Donaghy' Conor Grimes has released a new video ahead of the All Ireland final under his alter-ego 'Datsun Donaghy'

THE Red Hands' self-proclaimed "number one fan" has re-emerged to offer his support ahead of the All-Ireland final.

'Datsun Donaghy' - aka actor Conor Grimes - has recorded a new video with his own unique take on all things Tyrone.

Donning his team jersey and red and white umbrella hat, Datsun serenades the senior stars with versions of Singin' in the Rain ("What a glorious feeling, Sam's coming home again"), Another Brick in the Wall ("Hey, Teacher Peter, bring Maguire home", Havana ("Colm Cavanagh, the other Cavanagh", and of course Mickey.

Mr Grimes said Datsun's re-appearance from deepest Tyrone ahead of Sunday was purely "accidental".

"People were asking me where Datsun was, including one Tyrone player, and I said to myself that I'm pretty busy with my new show. I hadn't planned on going back and doing it but there was a lot of craic floating about and I didn't want to be a killjoy," he said.

"I put my umbrella hat on and thought about Tyrone fans. It's my conjuring to the great Tyrone God in the sky.

"It took a day's work. I couldn't think what to do but I got up on Sunday morning, inspired, and I spent the whole day at it, then I uploaded it on Sunday night.

"It's all just a wee bit of fun for the Tyrone children and adults. Datsun is Tyrone's number one fan."

Mr Grimes, from Donaghmore, will be at Croke Park on Sunday to cheer on the Red Hands, along with the "full Grimes clan" - his father, three sons and three brothers.

"It means everything to get this far. You can go to Croke Park and lose, no doubt about that. But we have a lot of quality in that team and they have nothing to lose," he said.

Conor Grimes is currently appearing in The History of the Peace (accordin' to my Ma) in the Grand Opera House.