Football legend Paul McGrath reveals health battle and makes 'touch and go' admission as star praises hospital staff

The 83-times capped star also revealed how he now lives in a “quiet spot” in Wexford

FOOTBALL legend Paul McGrath admits he is lucky to be well again after a “touch and go” health battle.

Ireland hero Paul, who has just turned 65, thanked doctors for helping him get over a recent scare.

3 Paul McGrath lent his voice to a campaign to encourage men to be more open around mental health difficulties in October 2024 Credit: social media collect

3 He came through the ranks at St Patrick's Athletic before going on to star for Manchester United and Aston Villa Credit: Sportsfile

The ex-Manchester United and Aston Villa defender opened up about his booze and mental health struggles in a podcast chat with Nicky Byrne.

He said: “I have done that on and off through the years, where it usually involved alcohol and stuff like that.

“Yeah, I was struggling for a while. It was touch and go which way it was going to go. I’m much healthier now.

“I haven’t put back on (weight), I haven’t been doing any gym work, but I’m delighted and thankful to the doctors in Wexford Hospital who got me well and brought back to health.”

The 83-times capped star revealed how he now lives in a “quiet spot” in Wexford — walking long distances, despite relying on a stick owing to knee problems.

Paul added: “It’s great for me. Everyone leaves you alone. The Wexford people are great and keep me going.

“As a kid, I used to go down there to play the slot machines and holiday there.

“I just kept going there and decided I would stay.

“I need a stick now, but I do 9km walks every day and getting out keeps me healthy.”

Last year, the footy icon lent his voice to a laudable campaign to encourage men to be more open around mental health difficulties.

Having battled alcoholism and depression over the course of his life, he acknowledged he wishes he'd sought help more often than he did - especially during his days as a footballer.

He said: “We don’t talk about how we’re feeling too much and stuff like that or I don’t anyway.

“So I thought this would be a good thing to get involved with. I just jumped at the chance.

"I don’t do too much of this sort of stuff but I thought, why not?

“I think footballers who are leaving the game struggle.

“I wish things were better (when I played) and I wish people were able to talk to people to get their feelings out there and not just bottle it up.

“Coming to the age of 32 or 33 and just struggling themselves. Especially in my case it was with alcohol and stuff like that.

“So yeah, it’d be nice to be able to talk to someone or go to someone and just explain you’re feeling a certain way and ease your track to civilian life again.”

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