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Aakanksha Surve

RTE star Pat Spillane breaks down in tears in final Sunday Game appearance

RTE's Pat Spillane broke down in tears as he paid tribute to his late father after Kerry beat Galway in the All-Ireland Senior Football Final.

It was an emotional moment for the Kerry man who retired from The Sunday Game after 30 years. Pat, who won eight All-Irelands over the course of his career, said Sunday's win held a special significance for him and his family.

He told presenter Joanne Cantwell: "We knew they were a very talented bunch coming through. We were getting impatient there, but I saw a different bunch this year.

Read more: Kerry take Sam home to the Kingdom for first time in eight years

"I saw a resilient bunch. And it's brilliant to see David Clifford delivering and getting an All-Ireland medal. And just from a personal point of view.

"In 1964, my father was a selector for Kerry against Galway. The night before the game, he had pains in his chest.

"He wouldn't go to the doctor. Went to the game the following day as a selector, and was dead on Tuesday. And Kerry/Galway matches to me, always bring back this memory."

Sadly, his father never saw his sons play and today all three sons have 19 All-Irelands. Kerry's victory over Galway on Sunday was even more special for the GAA family as Pat's nephews Killian and Adrian also picked up their senior medals.

Pat said: "My father never saw us play, the three sons. And today the three sons have 19 All-Ireland medals. And his two grandsons, Killian and Adrian, have two more.

"He would have been a proud man. 21 All-Ireland senior football medals in his house.

"It's just a special day. It means a lot. They are good lads."

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