army of loyal irish fans willing their hero to triumph
THOUSANDS of Irish supporters turned out for Conor Mcgregor’s press conference in Las Vegas to show their support for the UFC fighter.
There was a raucous atmosphere as revellers filled the Irish pubs on the Strip as well as packing out the Park Theatre for the event on Thursday night.
Stephen Ryan, from Kilkenny, who is in Las Vegas for his 40th birthday celebrations, said he was delighted to be in Sin City with his pals James Sweeney, 22 and London-based Mick Rowe, 60, and 64-year-old Michael O’shannon.
He added: “We said we’d go to the fight as an excuse to come over for my 40th. We knew the fight was on so we said we’d take that in. It’s great to be here.”
Speaking about the atmosphere, Stephen said: “It’s unreal. We’re here since Tuesday and it’s just got better and busier every day since then.”
Sporting a green wig, Kilkenny-born Mick added: “I’d been to New York but never Las Vegas. It’s unbelievable. I’d follow Mcgregor, I’d watch all the fights.”
Asked about the prospect of The Notorious fighting in Dublin at some stage in the future Stephen said: “The UFC record for attendance is 40,000. If you got that in Croke Park it’d be a world record with 80,000 if you could get that one-night thing going.”
Meanwhile, Dubliner James Caldwell travelled over from Australia with his Ballymun pals Gary Farrelly, 30, and 26-year-old Conor Dillon as well as Bren Carberry, 32, from Balbriggan, and 25-year-old Rory Talbot, from Newbridge.
James, who celebrated his 29th birthday on Thursday, said: “We’ve all travelled over from Sydney and we’re meeting some friends from Ireland as well.
“I booked the trip as soon as the fight was announced. It’s my first time in Vegas and its a great way to spend the birthday, the atmosphere is class. I think Mcgregor will come out and get a first round KO.”
Gary added: “I think it’ll be a third round knockout. Mcgregor let’s be having ya! He’s [Mcgregor] lethal, he’s gonna bleeding kill him.”
And Shane said: “Mcgregor was in fine form.”
It’s great to be here. It’s just got better and busier every day
STEPHEN RYAN
LAS VEGAS YESTERDAY