The Irish soccer team kicked off their European Championship campaign with a 1-1 draw against Sweden yesterday in France, and prior to the match, one of the countries biggest stars, UFC featherweight champion Conor McGregor delivered an uplifting speech on RTE to rally both the players and fans.
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““What’s up, Ireland? I want to give a shout out to our national team competing at the European championships. You are the most experienced team out there. All players combined, we have the age and the experience on our side. You are the veterans of this entire competition. There is not a movement, an approach, an obstacle, that you have not seen or felt before. These young pups you’re going up against were still in their [diapers] when you were knee-deep in the trenches fighting for every single ball, fighting for every single second of every single game.
It’s time to show these young boys that this is man’s work now. It’s time to take these young boys back to school. The school of hard knocks. The school of Ireland. Shout out to all our up-and-coming players hungry to etch their name into Irish history, representing our nation’s colors with pride. Shout out to everybody that has been around this nation’s football team since the very beginning. This is your moment. This is our moment. This is where we introduce the footballing world to the new Ireland. An Ireland made tough through battle. An Ireland made strong to sacrifice. An Ireland that makes no apologies for its success and no excuses for its failures. An Ireland that strives forwards against all odds. An Ireland that stands up and fights. Always remember, we are not here to take part, we are here to take over. Good luck boys, the country is with you.”
