‘The fact he had a wee kid on the way really hit home’ – Michael Conlan discusses Kevin Sheehy tribute

Don’t expect to see Mick Conlan’s shorts for tomorrow night up for auction anytime soon or on the wall of a sponsor

The Belfast featherweight headlines at the Falls Park in a major Top Rank bill and plans to give the slick shorts he will wear to the family of the late Kevin Sheehy.

Limerick heavyweight Sheehy was tragically killed last month and Conlan will carry a tribute with him into the ring, with ‘RIP K.S.’ being emblazoned on his trunks.

Saturday nights attire ☘️ pic.twitter.com/Ey7MdXyxtV

— Michael Conlan (@mickconlan11) July 30, 2019

Sheehy, who Conlan’s father John was an international coach of, was a major fan of the Olympic bronze and World gold medallist.

The 20-year-old would have been there at Féile an Phobail tomorrow night and his senseless passing certainly hit home with Conlan.

The Falls Road fighter explained to Irish-Boxing.com how “I didn’t know him personally. He went away on a good lot of trips with my Dad, but Bernard O’Neill [IABA Media Officer] contacted me to give a few words.”

“Of course it was no problem and he said ‘I was just ringing you because he had you down as his favourite fighter’. So I just went ‘oh fuck’.

“Then I heard the story of what happened and the fact he had a wee kid on the way and stuff. That really hit home, a wee daughter won’t ever be able to see her Daddy.”

“I thought then it would be fitting to get Rest In Peace on my shorts for his family and for his daughter. After I will give the shorts to the family.”