IRELAND winger Simon Zebo has opened up about the recent death of his grandfather having returned to the training camp after attending his funeral.
The Munster player’s maternal grandfather, John Geary, passed away on Sunday, the same day Zebo put in a Man of the Match performance in Ireland’s 44-10 win over Romania at the Rugby World Cup.
Zebo was subsequently granted leave to be with his family and attended the funeral in Cork on Tuesday, but he has revealed his return to the Ireland squad on Wednesday has helped take his mind off the sad loss.
“It's been a tough couple of days, but getting back into camp and being around the lads again has been good,” said the 25-year-old.
“They were very quick in coming up to me and just saying how sorry they were and how upset I must have been. But, you know, five minutes later they were making jokes and slagging me. They've just been great with helping me take my mind off it all.
“He would have been like a father to me. He lived right around the corner from me. I would have seen him and my grandmother every single day and I have great memories of them. Yeah, he'll be very much missed.”
IRTV: @SimonZebo on returning to #IRE camp #ShouldertoShoulder http://t.co/lfsWoBdhbW pic.twitter.com/AKrUiM5IIX
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) September 30, 2015
