Irish sports stars past and present teamed up for a rallying call to the nation for the battle with Covid-19.
Icons of Irish sport including football legend Paul McGrath, rugby idol Brian O'Driscoll and hurling hero Henry Shefflin called on people to 'unite by staying apart' in a video message released today.
“We are facing into one of the biggest fights in our country's history,” they say. “The future of our nation and our people is in our hands.
“This situation is not easy for any of us. We are all in the same boat. We are all in this together. We are all in isolation. We are all missing friends, families and loved ones.
“We are all experiencing the same fears and emotions but this is what we need to do to keep our country and our people safe.
“Our heroes are now our health workers. The nurses and doctors working on the front line, putting themselves at risk to protect you, me and our friends and families.
“Protect yourselves and protect your loved ones. Unite by staying apart.”
Golf aces Padraig Harrington and Shane Lowry clubbed together to send out the message.
Former Irish football stars Robbie Keane and McGrath are joined by the current captains of the men's and women's national sides, Seamus Coleman and Katie McCabe.
Irish rugby greats O'Driscoll and Paul O'Connell - along with Ireland skipper Peter O'Mahony - add their voices to the call.
Kilkenny legend Shefflin, Kerry great Colm Cooper, Dublin hero Bernard Brogan and Galway hurling ace Joe Canning also take part, along with Olympic sailing star Annalise Murphy, former Olympic hurdler Derval O'Rourke and Irish women's hockey captain Katie Mullan.
