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Belfast Telegraph
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Belfast Telegraph
Rory McIlroy watching on at Europa League final in Spain as fans in NI celebrate in unique way
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 on Wednesday 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 the Sailortown 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.'
Belfast Telegraph
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
McIlroy among tens of thousands spectating Europa League Final in Spain as fans in NI celebrate in unique way
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.'
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Rory McIlroy poses with Man United legends and rival fans in Bilbao ahead of Europa League final
Rory McIlroy has arrived in Bilbao ahead of tonight's Europa League final where he will cheer on his beloved Manchester United as they face Tottenham. The 35-year-old lifelong United fan made a quick pitstop in Northern Ireland on Wednesday morning as his Gulfstream G650ER private jet was spotted at George Best Belfast City Airport at around 6.41 am before departing again at 7.26 am. It wasn't long before the World Number 2 was spotted by fans as he checked into his hotel in Bilbao ahead of the all-England clash at the home of Athletic Bilbao, the Estadio de San Mamés READ MORE: Rory McIlroy's private jet makes Belfast pitstop on route to Europa League Final destination READ MORE: Inside Rory McIlroy's new £38M private jet he used for Masters scouting mission Tottenham fan and season ticket holder Ricky Rix shared a picture on X, formerly Twitter, after bumping into the Grand Slam Champion in their hotel. He tweeted: "Good start to the morning in Bilbao. staying in the same hotel as @McIlroyRory." Good start to the morning in Bilbao staying in the same hotel as @McIlroyRory — Ricky Rix (@rickygeorgerix) May 21, 2025 And it wasn't just regular fans he was meeting and greeting after arriving in Spain, a smiling McIlroy was later pictured chatting to Man United legends RIo Ferdinand and Paul Scholes. Sharing a post on his X profile, footballer turned pundit Ferdinand tweeted pictures of himself alongside McIlroy, Paul Scholes and McIlroy's friend and caddie Harry Diamond. YANITED @McIlroyRory — Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) May 21, 2025 Following McIlroy's Grand Slam victory, Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim sent the invitation to McIlroy via video message inviting him personally to visit Old Trafford with the green jacket. McIlroy cut a relaxed figure having just arrived in the city days after his disappointing weekend performance at the US PGA Championship. The five-time Major winner struggled to make the cut on Friday and never got into contention over the weekend with consecutive rounds of 72 leaving him finishing the tournament at three over-par, some 15 shots behind Scheffler and tied 47th. On Friday, it emerged that the Holywood man was forced to switch driver after his first-choice driver was found to be non-conforming after tests conducted by the US Golf Association. For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.
Belfast Telegraph
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Rory McIlroy's jet lands in Belfast amid speculation he will be at Europa League final
Rory McIlroy's private jet has been spotted in Northern Ireland amid speculation the Masters champion is on his way to the Europa League final. The £38m Gulfstream G650ER touched down at George Best Belfast City Airport at around 6.40am this morning. However, it was back in the air within an hour after taking off at 7.26am. The sighting during the quick stop has fuelled speculation that the Co Down golfer and lifelong Manchester Untied fan will be attending tonight's Europa League match between the Red Devils and Tottenham Hotspur in Spain. Around 80,000 fans have travelled for the big game which will kick-off at the San Mamés Stadium, home of Athletic Bilbao. It comes after Man Utd boss Ruben Amorim sent a video invitation to McIlroy following his Grand Slam victory last month. "Hi Rory. Congratulations for the Masters, and I want to invite you to Old Trafford to show your trophy,' Amorim said. "It is really important for us in this moment. You achieved something a lot of people thought that would be impossible and we want that feeling in our stadium. "So I hope to see you soon at Old Trafford and to meet you." Accepting the invitation, McIlroy promised to bring the iconic Green Jacket to Old Trafford saying 'if it can inspire some better play, absolutely' when asked if it would be with him. Paul Kimmage at the US PGA: 'I thought golf was supposed to be fair' While not at Old Trafford – tonight's clash will see two Premier League sides take a shot at salvaging their domestic seasons by securing a place in the Champions League. Five-time major winner McIlroy has suggested he plans to one day invest in his favourite football club. He has previously told Sky Sports that team ownership 'used to be limited to private equity, and people who had a ton of money. But now sports stars are becoming more savvy and using their money in the right way'. He continued: 'I would love to be able to own a tiny percentage of the club I grew up cheering on as a boy.' Earlier this month, McIlroy confirmed his intention to return to the UK in June in what could be a permanent move with his family. The sports star revealed building work on a new property near the Wentworth Club in Surrey is now finished meaning it is ready for the champion to move in with his wife Erica Stoll and their daughter Poppy. The couple told the Daily Telegraph that they bought a plot of land in the exclusive private estate which lies less than an hour and a half west of central London – which explains why Rory's private jet landed in Farnborough Airport before he came home to NI last month. 'Straight after Augusta we travelled over to see the house as it was going through the finishing touches,' he told the publication. 'It was fun to see and we could have stayed in it, but we wanted to get over to Holywood.' While he has no plans to sell his southern Florida mansion, which he uses as his US base when competing in tournaments there, Rory did hint at the possibility of making his new pad a permanent abode.
Irish Daily Mirror
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Rory McIlroy's private jet makes surprise return to Ireland for quick pitstop
Rory McIlroy had a fleeting visit to Northern Ireland after his private jet briefly landed at Belfast City Airport on Wednesday morning for under an hour. McIlroy's plush Gulfstream G650ER touched down at George Best Belfast City Airport, clocking in at 6.41am, only to jet off again at 7.26am. The swanky £38m jet has now reached Bilbao Airport. It's widely rumoured that McIlroy, who's a die-hard Manchester United supporter, is popping over to watch tonight's Europa League final. The golf ace is expected to support the Red Devils as they go head-to-head with Tottenham Hotspur at Athletic Bilbao's stadium. Both Premier League giants have a chance tonight to turn their domestic seasons around, with their eyes set on securing a berth in next season's Champions League, reports Belfast Live. Following McIlroy's epic win at the Masters, Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim sent out an invite through a video message. Amorim expressed: "Hi Rory. Congratulations for the Masters, and I want to invite you to Old Trafford to show your trophy. "It is really important for us in this moment. You achieved something a lot of people thought that would be impossible and we want that feeling in our stadium. "So I hope to see you soon at Old Trafford and to meet you." Quizzed about whether he'd show off the Green Jacket at Old Trafford after his Augusta triumph, he quipped: "If it can inspire some better play, absolutely." The five-time major champion has hinted before at the prospect of chipping in financially with his boyhood club in the future. He mentioned on Sky Sports: "Sports team ownership used to be limited to private equity, and people who had a ton of money. But now sports stars are becoming more savvy and using their money in the right way. "I would love to be able to own a tiny percentage of the club I grew up cheering on as a boy."
