If 1996 was the best year of Noel Forde's life, 1997 was the worst.

In 1996, as Chairman of the Mayo County Football Board, he brought his side to its first All-Ireland Final in years - and he met the love of his life.

But Noel was a priest and in 1997 newspapers printed a story saying Fr. Forde was on holidays in Las Vegas with Galway businesswoman Pauline Staunton.

As the year progressed and Mayo made their way to another All-Ireland, media interest in the story grew, climaxing in Noel leaving the priesthood, his position in the GAA, and marrying Pauline.

Now parents of two children, Noel and Pauline speak about those years in Leaving Breaffy.

Compiled by Alan Torney

Produced by Peter Woods.

First Broadcast 18th September 2005

An Irish radio documentary from RTÉ Radio 1, Ireland - Documentary on One - the home of Irish radio documentaries