WWE star praises Mullingar acting teacher for helping him land movie role

WWE superstar Sheamus has praised a Mullingar acting teacher for helping him land his first major movie role.

The four time WWE world heavyweight champion is bad guy Rocksteady in the latest Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles film.

Speaking earlier this week in advance of its release here on Friday, he praised Mullignar native Terry McMahon for helping him prepare for his audition for the high profile role.

He also invited McMahon and his seven year old son to the Irish premier yesterday.

In a Facebook post today, McMahon, who is also an award winning director and writer, praised his famous student for his "astounding" commitment.

"I pushed him hard and he took it. Even when I deserved a smack he held back. His commitment was astounding. The bravery of that wrestling jock made this boxing snob ashamed of my prejudice. Sheamus had to head back to the States to fight in front of fifty thousand fans in advance of his audition and, as we hugged a farewell, he said I may be the only man he has ever been afraid of.

"Not only did he win his fight but he did to the casting director's prejudice what he had done to mine and, on his first audition, he nailed the role of Rocksteady in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise. The joy I felt when I read he'd been contracted is difficult to describe but when good things happen to good people it's a day in the sun we are all a little better for."