Harry Kane 'betrays' Irish roots as funny old photo reemerges after Ballon d’Or win

Seeing off tough competition from Barcelona and Spain’s Lamine Yamal and France and Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe, Kane, who bagged 73 goals in all competitions last season, became the fifth Englishman alongside Stanley Matthews, Bobby Charlton, Kevin Keegan and Owen - and the first man with Connacht ties - to win the footballing award.

The 33-year-old former Tottenham Hotspur’s forward’s achievement was celebrated in the parishes of Letterfrack, Tullycross and Renvyle where his relatives live who were watching closely by.

It did give some people the chance to bring back up an old photo of Harry doing something that you wouldn’t catch many Galway people doing.

The old snap from a few years back shows Harry holding a Mayo goalkeeping jersey - the former Spurs man was once spotted as a kid in an Arsenal jersey celebrating but this could be deemed even more forbidden.

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

In May 2013, Michael John died and was brought back home to be buried in Baunogues, the local cemetery in Letterfrack and Kane, who was less well known back then, flew West for the funeral.

One of his cousins, Liz Kane, a talented musician, who along with Yvonne makes up The Kane Sisters, spoke to this publication back in 2018.

At the time she said: “[Harry playing in the World Cup] is huge, absolutely it is, and to be captain as well. We’re super proud of him and his achievements.”

“Someone said to me the other day that it gives us a reason now to support England because he is a Connemara man – it’s hilarious,” laughed Liz.

She continued: “Harry’s father Pat, and his brothers Michael and John, who are based in London, are real sociable lads when they come home.”