‘Makes you angry with God' – Barry McGuigan speaks powerfully about struggles after losing a child
BARRY McGuigan has spoken of his anger with God in the years since his daughter Danika died from bowel cancer.
The rising actress was only 33
Advertisement
2
Danika died only six weeks after her cancer returned
Credit: PA:Press Association
2
The boxing hero spoke movingly about losing a child while on I'm A Celeb last year
Credit: Australia Media
Her boxing legend father has since described the constant pain that has stuck with him, wife Sandra and their other three children since Danika's death in 2019.
Most recently he acknowledged in a chat with
Sadly, her untimely passing isn't the only grave misfortune to have hit his family over the years either.
He set out: "I can't talk about it, because if I talk about it I get upset.
Advertisement
Read More On Irish Sport
"It makes you just angry with God. I can't really explain any more.
"I spent my life dedicated to God and I feel so let down and so sad by what happened.
"My brother died of suicide at 34, my father died at 52, my sister died in 2021 with breast cancer, we've had a horrific, dreadful, dreadful time.
"You ask yourself when is it gonna end, when is it gonna stop?
Advertisement
Most read in Boxing
"It's hard to believe in anything when you have had a tough time like that."
That sombre moment came towards the end of what was an otherwise quite upbeat interview as he promoted an upcoming event in his native Clones that'll mark the 40th anniversary of him becoming a world champion.
Eddie Hearn teases Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury in 2025?! + Allen KOs Fisher | Split Decision | Sun Sport
The Clones Cyclone became an Irish sporting great when
This Sunday week will see the commemoration of that momentous victory by showing the full 15 rounds of ring action at a special screening at the Hillgrove Hotel in Monaghan Town.
Advertisement
The 64-year-old will field questions after guests watch the bout back on the big screen.
While he's famed for the prowess of his fists, the former
He actually boasts quite impressive musical lineage since his dad Pat represented Ireland in the 1968
The event is set to run from 1pm until 6pm with tickets
Advertisement
If you're affected by any of the issues raised in this article, the following organisations provide support: Samaritans freephone 116 123, free-text HELLO to 50808 for an anonymous chat, contact Pieta any time at 1800247247 or Aware from 10am-10pm on 1800804848.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Independent
42 minutes ago
- Irish Independent
Aidan O'Brien ‘delighted' after serving an ace with Flushing Meadows at the Curragh
The son of Wootton Bassett was sent off at 5-2 in the hands of Ryan Moore and made it game, set and match with ease in the Irish EBF Maiden, surging to an impressive length-and-a-half success in the six-furlong event. A Royal Ascot tilt may come too soon for the exciting two-year-old, but O'Brien has his eye on a return to Irish racing HQ for Group Two action later this month. "I'm delighted with him, he's a lovely horse," said O'Brien. "He was never away and he'll come forward loads. He'll have no problem getting seven furlongs. "The reason those horses were here was in case they were Ascot horses. Ryan said he's lovely, but that Ascot might be a little bit too quick for him and to give him a little bit of time. "He doesn't have to step up in trip and he might come back here for the Railway Stakes." Flushing Meadows was bringing up a double for the Ballydoyle team after Moore got a fine tune from Amadeus Mozart in the opening Sky Bet For The Fans Irish EBF Maiden Another son of Wootton Bassett, he was the well-backed 10-11 favourite for his racecourse bow and although asked to knuckle down before two furlongs out, responded to his rider's encouragement to get the better of also-promising stablemate Dorset by half a length. It is a race O'Brien has won with Lope Y Fernandez (2019) and Point Lonsdale (2021) in the past and the leading players could prove key members for the Ballydoyle team in the future. O'Brien said: "They are lovely big horses, they were never away so they are going to come forward plenty. "Ryan liked him (the winner). He said he was a lovely horse and he wouldn't mind stepping up.
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
Margot Robbie mocks Colin Farrell's Irish accent in first look at new romance film A Big Bold Beautiful Journey
MARGOT Robbie has taken a playful swipe at Colin Farrell's Irish accent in the trailer for their upcoming romantic fantasy film. The Academy Award nominees will appear opposite each other in the new movie, A Big Bold Beautiful Journey, which is set to land in cinemas on September 19. 3 Margot and Colin will appear opposite each other in A Big Bold Beautiful Journey 3 Sony Pictures have released the official trailer 3 Margot Robbie mocked Farrell's strong Irish accent in the new trailer Described as "an imaginative tale of two strangers and the unbelievable journey that connects them", the The upcoming release reunites Farrell with After Yang director Kogonada, with the script written by The Menu's Seth Reiss. Just seconds in, Margot, in character as Sarah, pokes fun at Farrell's strong Irish accent. READ MORE ON COLIN FARRELL The teaser kicks off with the pair meeting for the first time, when David says: "It's funny how the most beautiful places make you feel the most alone." After a satnav directs David to Sarah's location, he pulls up beside her car to collect her before setting off on the "big bold beautiful journey". When she tells him her "car won't start", he responds: "Mine told me to pick you up." Sarah quickly questioned his thick accent as she asked: "Your accent, is it real?" most read in the irish sun David fired back, saying: "You think I'd fake an accent?" And just moments later, she repeats his earlier line in a mocking Irish accent, joking: "The most beautiful places make you feel the most alone." Colin Farrell reveals reason why he's putting his disabled son in 'long term care' David laughed and responded: "That's a pretty good me actually, I'm flattered." The story follows Sarah and David, two complete strangers who meet at a mutual friend's wedding before being brought together by what's been described as a "surprising twist of fate". The pair embark on a "funny, fantastical, sweeping adventure" together that sees them revisiting important and defining moments from their pasts. 'MAGICAL' The journey helps them piece together how they got to where they are now, and maybe even "getting a chance to alter their futures". The film also stars American actor Kevin Kline and Golden Globe winner Farrell recently told kind of a love story, but it's not a very typical one ". He said: " It's definitely magical realism. It's grounded in a world that we recognise, but it also is removed enough into the world of fantastical that it goes into these kinds of whimsical places. "It's a story about being revisited by, but also having the opportunity to revisit certain moments in your past that were very formative."
RTÉ News
2 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Bernard Jackman: Connacht rugby 'invigorated' by Stuart Lancaster news
Bernard Jackman believes Stuart Lancaster is an "amazing" appointment for Connacht Rugby, after what had been a couple of "rudderless" seasons for the western province. The former Leinster senior coach was recently confirmed as Connacht's new boss on a two-year deal, replacing Pete Wilkins, who stepped down towards the end of this season. Lancaster, who also spent four years as head coach of England, most recently spent a season and a half as head coach of Racing 92, although he departed the club in February after struggling in Paris. It was at Leinster where Lancaster flourished, joining as senior coach in 2016 and helping the province to a Champions Cup title in 2018, as well as four Pro14 titles before leaving in 2023. And Jackman believes it's a major coup for the western province. "I spoke to some Connacht players and staff last night and they're invigorated by it," Jackman told the RTÉ Rugby podcast. "It's been a tough season at Connacht and obviously they ended up finishing the season and a large part of the season with an interim coach. "This has really given everybody a lot of hope and now they're going to go into a new stadium, they have a new training facility and clarity around who their head coach is. "You have a head coach who has a very, very strong reputation in Ireland. He understands the Irish system well, the Irish mentality. "He's looking to rebuild his career again, kind of like he did with Leinster. "He's very ambitious and hardworking so he'll want to show with Connacht - with less resources than he had at Racing 92 - what he can do. "Connacht have been quite rudderless for the past couple of seasons, and he will get more out of them for sure." Given the Englishman's reputation in the game, Jackman also believes the appointment could give Connacht a big boost when it comes to recruiting players next season. "I actually think that Stuart Lancaster, in a year's time, will be able to attract players from Leinster, players who have worked with him before," said the former Ireland hooker. "It now makes going to Connacht more attractive, because of his proven track record in developing players. "That's another advantage for Connacht fans, that their recruitment will be easier because they have a better training facility, a better stadium, plus someone like Stuart Lancaster. "Everyone who has worked with him says he made them a better player. That's impressive." While Lancaster had been in the market for a new job, and had recently gone on record detailing how he would like to coach in Ireland again some day, Connacht hadn't been seen as a potential landing spot for the 55-year-old, given their poor season in 2024/25. And while Jackman believes Lancaster could have waited for more lucrative and high-profile gigs, his decision to move to Galway speaks volumes for his confidence in the potential of rugby in the west of Ireland. He said: "Did he have other options? He's been on the record that he was very close to the Australian job. That's a fact. "Only last Friday I got a call from someone in Wales checking references and looking for more info on him. He was on the shortlist for the Welsh job, which hasn't been given out yet. "I think if he sat tight, he could have got a more high-profile job, but I think he sees a real opportunity here. He loved his time in Ireland and so did his partner. "Stuart Lancaster has probably had the biggest impact on the domestic game, in terms of coaching, being a mentor to schools' coaches in Leinster. "He's had more of an impact in his time here than a lot of homegrown or native Irish. "He's the kind of fella who does really buy into it, and really understand what's going on. "I think it won't be just on the field for Connacht. Other coaches in the domestic game there will benefit from his willingness to give up his time. "He's unbelievably generous with his time and I know a lot of people in Leinster really missed him when he left because there wasn't anyone to step into his void with the same level of dedication he had. "I have no doubt if he had decided to sit tight, a bigger job on paper would have come up. It's just he sees something here that he can improve."
