Fans flock to enjoy Westlife but men have to be herded

SHEEPISH DADS, boyfriends and brothers were vastly outnumbered by their female companions at Croke Park last night for Westlife’s sell-out concert.

The majority of women in attendance, who ranged in age from 6 to 60, seemed to have left the men in their lives at home to enjoy an evening with the pop band, which formed 10 years ago.

The 82,000 fans, a few donning pink cowboy hats and feather boas, poured in from 4pm.

Some had even camped out on Saturday night so that they could stand close to the stage.

Mothers and daughters, sisters, cousins and mini-busloads of friends were all intent on having a good time on what was a warm first night of summer.

Local residents sat outside their homes. Bernie Shevlin and her family were making the most of the atmosphere. “If you can’t beat them, join them,” Ms Shevlin said.

She could have attended, having won two tickets in the residents’ draw, but gave them to her son and daughter-in-law. Philip Shevlin, who half-jokingly asked to be called “Harry” in print, said he didn’t want it known he was going.

Larry Kearns, from Drumcondra, took Rebecca (13) and her friend Eileen Byrne (14) as far as the entrance gates. “I’m only here to drop them off,” he said.

Gerry Farrell from Artane, attending with family, said he wished that he had had a drink or two beforehand.

Other men seemed to skulk in, some being firmly led by partners.

However, three young men, with Westlife hairstyles and outfits to match, were not a bit shy about attending. Shane O’Dowd, Peter McCague and Anton McMenamin, from Clones, Co Monaghan, said they bought their tickets the first day they went on sale.

“We’re here to listen to the greatest band in the world, in the greatest stadium in the world, and it’s full of single women; what more could you want?” they said.