bartman
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Yeah, a big shock here... :sarcasm:
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/ne...an-call-it-quits/story-e6freuy9-1225832747129
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/ne...an-call-it-quits/story-e6freuy9-1225832747129
It's over: Greg Bird and Katie Milligan call it quits
- Dean Ritchie
- From: The Daily Telegraph
- February 21, 2010 11:14PM
Broken up ... Greg Bird and girlfriend Katie Milligan have called it quits. Source: The Daily Telegraph
THEY stood by each other through an accidental glassing, a string of court cases and a blaze of publicity.
But rugby league star Greg Bird and his girlfriend Katie Milligan have now split, with Milligan leaving Australia for her native United States.
The Daily Telegraph can reveal Bird is telling friends he and Milligan broke up in early January, less than two months after he declared their relationship "stronger than ever" after his acquittal on a charge of glassing her.
Milligan has now returned to the United States to be with her sick father with Bird now residing on the Gold Coast to play with his new club, the Titans.
"I'm here alone," the former Cronulla five-eighth told one friend.
Bird was first convicted then acquitted on appeal after being accused of glassing Milligan during an argument at the luxury Cronulla apartment they shared in August 2008.
The pair initially tried to blame his flatmate, golfer Brent Watson - who was not even home at the time.
It was eventually revealed that Milligan was accidentally hit by a glass as Bird attempted to restrain his then girlfriend who was drunk and high on ADHD drugs. The incident led to the former NSW and Australian five-eighth being sacked by Cronulla.
Milligan - who received cuts to her face and a broken eyesocket - stood by Bird during his court appearance and his appeal, giving a written character reference to the court supporting him.
"He is one of the most loving, sensitive and yet principled men I have ever met," she said in her reference to the court.
After signing with the Titans, Bird has moved on with his new life on the Gold Coast, where he is living alone in an apartment near Robina.
Milligan did travel to the Gold Coast with Bird just after he signed but she has since shifted to the US.
"We aren't aware of any situation between the two of them," Titans general manager Michael Searle said.
"Whatever happens, it is a private matter between the pair.
"If Greg wants to talk to myself or John [Cartwright, Titans coach], he knows he can."
There are suggestions Milligan has enrolled in university on the Gold Coast but there are no indications now she will return.
The relationship was volatile but it is understood Bird and Milligan have remained "good friends".
The star's manager, Gavin Orr, is reluctant to discuss Bird's private life.
