Taoiseach says he will support England in European Championships final

Martin wishes English side ‘the very best of success’ in football final against Italy

Micheál Martin said England’s clash against Denmark was an ‘excellent game’. File photograph: Laura Hutton/The Irish Times.
Micheál Martin said England’s clash against Denmark was an ‘excellent game’. File photograph: Laura Hutton/The Irish Times.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has wished England the "the very best of success" and said he'll be supporting them in Sunday night's European Championships final against Italy.

With expectations among our near neighbours high that "football's coming home", Mr Martin has joined Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney in backing the Three Lions.

Mr Coveney wished the England team luck ahead of their semi-final against Denmark on Wednesday night saying they're the "best team in [the] tournament so far".

At a press conference on Thursday, Mr Martin was asked who he’ll be supporting on Sunday.

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He said: “I wish our neighbours the very best of success”.

He said he was listening to RTÉ Radio's Ryan Tubridy "marvelling at how Irish fans love Man United and they love Chelsea and they watch Liverpool and Everton" but are on "the other side" when their players put on an English shirt.

On Wednesday night’s clash between England and Denmark, Mr Martin said: “I thought it was an excellent game last evening. I really enjoyed it.”

He added: “I wish England every success and I’ll be supporting them.”

Cormac McQuinn

Cormac McQuinn

Cormac McQuinn is a Political Correspondent at The Irish Times