McIlroy among tens of thousands spectating Europa League Final in Spain as fans in NI celebrate in unique way

Belfast Telegraph

21-05-2025

The Holywood star was rubbing shoulders with football pundit and Man United legend Rio Ferdinand after his private jet touched down in the Spanish city yesterday morning. McIlroy was also photographed receiving a team shirt from former United star Wayne Rooney.
McIlroy's Gulfstream G650ER was spotted arriving in George Best Belfast City Airport at around 6.40am before returning to the air in less than an hour at 7.26am.
As a long-time United fan, McIlroy was congratulated by team boss Ruben Amorim after his Grand Slam success in April which was 'really important' for the club.
Amorim invited the Co Down man to Old Trafford to show off his trophy, which he accepted — adding he will also bring his Green Jacket 'if it can inspire some better play'.
The five-time major winner has even suggested he plans to one day invest in his favourite football club.
McIlroy was one of almost 50,000 football fans at Bilbao's San Mamés Stadium who watched the Red Devils take on London's Spurs.
A total of 80,000 fans descended on Spain's largest northern city.
Meanwhile, in Northern Ireland, fans of the two English sides poured into their local pubs to watch both teams battle for the Europa glory and a place in next year's top-flight competition, the UEFA Champions League.
Supporters at one Belfast bar were treated to a unique treat for the final which saw the price of their pints dropping to as low as 70p — depending on who was winning.
The American Bar brought the price of their stout back to what it was when both finalists last lifted a European Trophy.
Fans had the opportunity to avail of £4.20 pints of Guinness if Man Utd got ahead, as they were in 2017 when United lifted the Europa League.
However, if Spurs took the lead, pints instead reflected the 1984 rate from when the London side lifted the UEFA Cup.
Spirits were high and the drinks were flowing in the small bar based in Sailor Town as supporters enjoyed its special offer as well as revelling in the excitement of the spectacle.
Long-time American regular, Jim McCann, has been supporting the Red Devils since Belfast-born football legend George Best played for the side.
The superfan said he welcomed a United victory, due to their poor performance in the Premier League this season, and hoped lifting the trophy would result in 'better quality of [players] to bring in.'
'I suppose it's back in the day, your dad supported the team,' Jim said. 'When you grow up, you support it.
'I'm 60-odd now, so back in the day when I was doing it, it was George Best. So that's what you done. He supported United, we supported United.'
He added: 'We need new people to come in, better quality of people to bring in. We need somebody to go out and find the right ones.'
While locals chatted with bar staff and assumed their regular seats, the special drinks discount meant curious first-time visitors also flocked to the bar for the all-English final.
Ciaran and James, both 35, had their eyes glued to the screen as the friends hedged their bets on a United victory.
It was Ciaran's first visit to Sailor Town bar, despite only living a short drive away, and was drawn to pub after seeing their pints offer.
'I would happily pay £50 a point if United win,' he said.
'The pints offer, it's a good one which I've never heard of that before.'
The cheap pints were also what drew in Shane (22) and Sean (21) who both had a Guinness in hand.
It was Shane's first time at The American. The Spurs fan said: 'I came in and I didn't know it was here. I'd heard about it just from different people — but it's a really nice atmosphere.'
Co-owner of The American, Pete McCloskey, explained how the unique pint offer came to fruition after he was discussing it with his business partner and Nottingham fan, Tomas, about potential ideas.
Pete said: 'He was bleating that if Forest win the Premier League, he's going to buy a keg of Guinness and he'll sell it at whatever price it was when Forest last won the league.'
The pair then decided to follow through with the idea as Pete's favourite club, Spurs, were featuring in the Europa League Final.
'We were like, we could do it like that, that could be fun. We could do it if, rather than if Spurs win, we'll sell a keg, people will come down to watch the game and be invested in it.
'And I hate when you go into a pub and there's football on. But if we're going to do it, let's do it in a way that will involve everybody.'
Man U fan Hannah Lyons, who was resting on a booth with her pet pooch, Wren, said she wasn't as conflicted about the Spurs getting ahead due to Guinness not being her drink of choice.
The east Belfast woman said: I go everywhere with my little furry companion. So I just love coming down here, because it's always good — it's a good vibe.'