Rob Heffernan got to see his son Cathal play for AC Milan over the weekend after previously being turned away from a game.
The five-time Olympian and his wife Marian jetted off for a Valentine's getaway earlier this year, but couldn't get into the stadium to see their son play.
When they arrived at the 1,200-capacity Peppino Vismara in the south of Milan, for an Under-18 game against Empoli back in February, a strict behind-closed-doors policy was in operation and they weren't allowed in.
But Rob had no such problems over the weekend as he got to see Cathal line out for Milan's U18s against Torino in a game that finished 2-2.
Sharing a number of photos on Instagram, proud Rob wrote: "What a weekend."
Speaking on Cathal's move to the Italian giants earlier this year, Rob said: “People in Ireland get carried away because it’s a big club.
“Cathal is only 16 and if you’re a player going into that environment to grow and develop, the bar never stops.
“You could come to a stage at 18 where something happens and you might not want it. I’ve seen loads of brilliant athletes at 16 or 17, but mentally they don’t want that life.
“Cathal has the advantage of living that life with us as a kid. He was away in camps, stuck up mountains and in caves.
“The football life is way easier and more glamorous than an athlete’s training camp at altitude.”
Cathal is currently on loan at AC Milan from Cork City, but the Rossoneri could make the move permanent this summer.
Rob added: “It’s a loan and it could turn out to be anything. My attitude is that I’d pay for a young fella to go into that environment.
“If you’re playing football for two-and-a-half hours per day for six days per week, it’s going to help your development.
“Marian and I are not looking at six months or a year down the road. Right now, he can get better and he’s happy.
“People get obsessed with the allure of bells and whistles in football. To be a sportsman, you have to be happy with getting better.
“People go on with ‘will he make it?’ but if he gives up in the morning, he’s done great. He’s done loads. What are other fellas his age doing?
“He’s over in AC Milan learning a new language, playing football every day. It’s brilliant.
"The most important thing is that you’re willing to work to get better.
“See where it takes you. If it takes you back to Cork City and you’re happy at that level, so be it. If it takes you to being AC Milan’s centre-back, that’s it.
“You have to be happy and we don’t wreck his head by talking about football too much. We chat about normal things.
“But sport is great. What you put into it, you get out. There’ll be more disappointments along the way but Cathal knows that. It’s hard work but he loves it.”
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