Harry Kane – he’s one of our own!

Tottenham Hotspur’s North London fans sing proudly that he’s one of their own – but Harry Kane, one of football’s hottest properties, is really one of ours….because he has his roots deep in the Galway Gaeltacht.

The England international has scores of close relatives in the Letterfrack and Renvyle area – so much so that his father was back to renew acquaintances with them this week.

Harry’s grandfather, Michael John Kane, was born and reared in the townland of Dawros in Letterfrack; he emigrated to England as a young man.

Michael John died in May 2013 and was brought back home to be buried in the local cemetery.  Indeed, his grandson – less well known then – was back for the funeral.

Harry’s father, Patrick Kane, who is back on a visit to Letterfrack this week, said that the young star footballer had tentative plans to come to visit family in Connemara last year but that his schedule is extremely tight.

Patrick would like to see him coming to Connemara more often. “It would be a good place for him to get away from it all sometimes,” said his father.  However, the intensity of the Premier Division football and his England commitments mean that free time is very limited.

Patrick wouldn’t be drawn on a suggestion that Harry might have a place in the Letterfrack/Renvyle area in the future. “He is a very young man and it’s too early to look down the road,” he said.

See full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune.