John O'Shea makes local Italian restaurateur's day

Guiliano Fusco, proprietor of La Fontana with business partner and life-long friend Enrico Mastrociccio is pictured here being presented with Italian player De Rossi's jersey which he wore during the Italy/Ireland match during the recent European Cup in Poland from John O'Shea who exchanged jerseys with De Rossi after the match.

Guiliano writes: "I come from Casino, in Italy and moved to Ireland over three years ago. From when we were childhood friends Enrico and I dreamed of opening an authentic Italian restaurant together. Enrico moved to Ireland over 12 years ago and I visited every year on holiday during which time we often talking about our dream of running our own restaurant. Five years ago Enrico had the chance to open restaurant La Fontana and a year later I moved to Ireland to run La Fontana with him. This was a hugely emotional decision to leave my family and my job but I love Ireland and I am now living in Ferrybank with my partner. Enrico and I are passionate about serving authentic Italian cuisine to the people of Waterford using the freshest of locally sourced producing and serving delicious Italian wines.

Simone Valdifiori is a Ferrybank native and is a regular customer of La Fontana and a good friend of mine who shares my passion for Inter Milan. Simone first brought his childhood friend, John O'Shea to eat in La Fontana two years ago (after Inter Milan had won the Champions's League) and my first impression of him was that he was a really nice man. More recently Simone organised a dinner party in La Fontana for the birthday of his girlfriend who is from Poznan in Poland where Ireland had played Italy in the European Cup and I was delighted to find that John O'Shea was one of the party. After dinner I chatted with John about football, about the Ireland-Italy match and about his Italian manager, Trappatoni. John is a true professional and above all a gentleman and I thoroughly enjoyed our banter about football. It was then that John offered to give me the jersey of De Rossi which the Italian player exchanged with him after their Euro encounter on 18th June! I was overwhelmed by his generosity. John presented me with the jersey and even stood for a photo with his admiring Italian fan. When I watch that match back I say "Oh look at that, that's the jersey that I have in my hand! Cool!”

I want to thank my good friend Simone for making this happen and thank John O'Shea sincerely for his generosity. I am truly humbled and moved by this gift which I will keep precious for the rest of my life.

Grazie.”