Ireland’s biggest feathered-fan sings The Fields of Athenry

Thousands of Ireland fans will be singing about small free birds flying in France this summer but it is a small caged bird who has taken a real shine to The Fields of Athenry ahead of Euro 2016.

Escobar the double yellow headed Amazon parrot may have roots which trace back to Central America but the Dublin-born three-year-old is firmly behind the Boys in Green as they prepare to take on Sweden in their opening game on Monday.

And according to his owner, Kevin Lawlor, the bird has been ruffling feathers with his rendition of Ireland’s unofficial anthem during matches.

Speaking to the BBC, he said: “He’s mad for the football and the singing. He first heard The Fields of Athenry when I was watching a match on the telly a while back. I could tell he was trying to learn it, so then I just began playing it to him and singing it to him when he comes to sit on my shoulder.

“I had a party in the house once not long after I got him and he started singing. Ever since then I’ve been teaching him new songs.”

Escobar’s rendition of The Fields is probably more coherent than those which will be ringing out of the Stade de France and pubs across the country come kick off on Monday, and the constant singing hasn’t been enough to leave Mr Lawlor’s neighbours in a flap.

He said: “They all love him on the street, the kids are always over to hear him sing. I think everyone’s agreed the matches will have to be over at my place.”

With their new feathered-fan firmly behind them, here’s hoping Martin O’Neill’s men don’t have their wings clipped and can soar into the knockout stages in France.