Gookie

Adam Idah💚 Constantly doubted, always bounces back. Raised by his mam Fiona and helped by her parents, Kevin and Kathleen Hayes. Grandad Kevin worked in the machine room of the Irish Examiner, and he's the one who got Adam into sport. Athletics, long jump, hurling, Gaelic, soccer with College Corinthians. Kevin was there for all of it. Just before Adam's first ever Ireland game at U15 level, Kevin passed away. Two days later, Adam pulled on the green jersey, scored, and dedicated the goal to his grandad. Asked who he admired most, he named Kevin, for his "amazing attitude to life." At 16 he left home for Norwich where it was never easy. He scored his first and only Premier League goal on the 15th of January 2022 in a 2-1 win over Everton. He played 116 times for the club but fought for genuine minutes only amounting to 49 full games across which he scored 17 times and assisted 4. In September 2020, he made his senior Ireland debut. The next day, he shared a photo of himself as a toddler Ireland jersey, with the caption: "Just a kid with a dream." He signed for Celtic his boyhood club and even scored 90th minute winner against Rangers in the Scottish Cup final. But hate never escaped him. He later admitted the hate was relentless: "You might have a bad game and it's torture." He played 76 times for Celtic, equating to 38 full games where he scored 29 goals and assisted 3. Prolific At Swansea he’s continued with 3 goals, 1 assist in just 488 minutes.. It's been the same in green. He's been left on the bench, doubted and written off more times than most. And every time, he answers. Left unused in the first leg against Bulgaria, he came in for the second and scored the winner. Days after leaving Celtic, he headed a stoppage time equaliser against Hungary. On Sunday, amid reports of racist chants from the stands, he scored again. Through it all, he's never forgotten home. Adam is an ambassador for the Down Syndrome Centre in Cork, where his young cousin gets vital support. "a place that means so much to me and my family." And still, as he puts it, "just a normal guy from Douglas and I know everyone back home." Kevin would be proud 💚