Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Gavin Quinn

Conor McGregor visits boyhood football club Lourdes Celtic after funding clubhouse renovation

Conor McGregor has returned to his boyhood football club Lourdes Celtic after he funded a major renovation of their clubhouse.

The retired UFC star announced in August that he'd funded works done in the clubhouse and claimed his children will play for the Dublin club.

With his firm McGregor Sports and Entertainment Ltd sponsoring the club's jersey, the man himself paid a visit to the clubhouse - which also features a state-of-the-art all weather pitch. 

In an Instagram post, McGregor said: "Down at the  @lourdescelticfootballclub  grounds in Old County Glen tonight.

"Watching the club's excellent under-16 Premier side train in the all new facilities. Proud will be the day we witness some of these future stars rise up to international level and wear our nation's badge with honour.

"What Lourdes Celtic has been renowned for throughout its years!"

Sharing pictures of his playing days with the club, McGregor said on Instagram in August: "I recently renovated my old football clubhouse @lourdescelticfootballclub!

"This club, and clubhouse, is responsible for so many competent, well trained Irish internationals, it’s actually hard to count them all!

"A phenomenal junior Irish football club, with its grounds located right inside my old housing estate. We sourced fresh Astro for the indoor as well as the outdoor areas.

"A complete refurb job on the premise, along with an amazing memorial addition in honour of the two great men who founded this great club, John “Bower” Bradley and Eddie Roche!

Conor McGregor (bottom left) during his playing days with Lourdes Celtic (Instagram: NotoriousMMA)

"What this place has done for the community and it’s children since 1957 is unparalleled, and I am honoured to give back to where it all began for me!

"I’ve often told a story of the days I used to kick a ball against a wall and run off celebrating like I’d just scored in a big stadium, with thousands of fans cheering me on.

"This was right inside these halls! And just around the corner from my home. I’d waltz around seconds before the training began, bang in 40 goals, and waltz home full of enthusiasm.

"Full of dreams! I didn’t know it at the time but this was the early stages of my visualisation journey. Dreaming things into reality, backed up with committed, hard work! It is hard to stop someone with these two assets!

"Dream it. Work for it! Achieve it."

(Instagram: NotoriousMMA)

He added: "It may have been a different sport for me in the end, but it all began right here! Booting something and running off celebrating. What a club!

"This is the beginning of the rebirth of Lourdes Celtic football club! I will be bringing my knowledge of preparation back to the club also.

"Lesson number 1 - If you are truly serious about this. Two sessions a week, with one match at the weekends, is not enough. Sit on that we’ll return to it later.

"Anyways what a buzz! Can’t wait to have my son Conor Jnr. and my daughter Croía in the yellow and green of Lourdes!
Fortius quo Fidelius! Strength through loyalty"

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.