Devastated York City Knights star Danny Kirmond admits playing rugby league's helped him “escape” the trauma of his younger brother’s tragic death.
The ex- England international, 36, kicks off his club’s Championship play-offs campaign at Halifax on Sunday. He bravely played on, just days after Jack Kirmond, 33, was killed following an assault outside Sharlston Rovers ARLFC last month. Former Wakefield captain Kirmond explained: “I felt like I was in a massive goldfish bowl.
“Obviously, it was absolutely devastating to myself, all my family. Jack wasn’t just my brother: he was my best mate, my best man at my wedding, literally at my house every other day, spending time with my little girl. And living in the village (Sharlston), everyone knows everybody, wants to know everyone’s business and we obviously own the pub there so there was just no escape from it. I just wanted a bit of normality. And rugby league’s something that’s always brought me that.”
