Cristiano Ronaldo’s Irish connections – Real Madrid debut in Tallaght, Roy Keane’s admiration and breaking our hearts

Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo practices his hurling skills during a special training session ahead of making his debut for the Spanish giants against Shamrock Rovers in 2009. Photo: David Maher/Sportsfile

Tomorrow night may well be the final time Cristiano Ronaldo plays on Irish soil.

The sold-out World Cup qualifier will be the Portuguese legend’s seventh international against the Boys in Green since his first meeting in February 2005, a time when the majority of the current Ireland squad were still in primary school.