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Manchester United Star's Surprise Interest In GAA Unearthed By Croke Park Visit

Tickets for Manchester United's Croke Park friendly against Leeds United were flying out on Friday morning, with one of English football's most bitter rivalries coming to GAA HQ in August.

The August 12th friendly was announced last week, marking the first time two foreign teams will play a soccer match at the home of Gaelic football and hurling.

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Manchester United arrived in Carton House just a few days after the friendly was announced for a mid-season training camp, with hordes of Irish fans eagerly awaiting a glimpse of their heroes as they arrived for training each morning.

The enthusiasm of Irish fans for Manchester United (and their rivals Leeds) was evident in Friday's ticket sale, with Croke Park seats disappearing rapidly.

Bryan Mbeumo and Amad faced the Irish and travelling English media on Tuesday to promote the fixture, and hailed the special support they receive from their Irish fans.

However, one of their teammates would deliver an altogether more surprising revelation when he visited Croke Park for a photoshoot before United's return to Manchester.

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READ HERE:Croke Park Chief Eases The One Major Concern Over Manchester United Vs Leeds Fixture

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Manchester United: Sesko's GAA interest

Benjamin Sesko was the Manchester United player tasked with visiting Croke Park this week, with the Slovenian striker taking part in a photoshoot on the hallowed turf alongside Leeds United legend Tony Dorigo.

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In a video shared by Croke Park, Sesko said he was very impressed by the scale of the stadium and the condition of the playing surface, saying the prospect of playing at Croker gave him "goosebumps."

Though Bryan Mbeumo admitted in Tuesday's press conference that he had little understanding of the importance of Croke Park, Sesko may have a touch more, judging by reports in the UK media.

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Multiple Manchester United insiders, including The Athletic's Mark Critchley, reported that Benjamin Sesko displayed a surprising level of knowledge on the GAA on his visit to Croke Park.

Sesko is said to have caught those at Croker by surprise with his knowledge of both hurling and Gaelic football, having stumbled upon some games while channel-hopping on the television in his Carton House hotel room.

With United arriving into Dublin Airport on Monday evening, there is every chance Sesko may have flicked over to TG4's Monday night highlights programme.

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A Slovenian Manchester United striker would not be the first person we would have guessed to be a newfound GAA fan, but perhaps Sesko will return to Manchester keeping tabs on the exploits of David Clifford and co.

Given the number of celebrity guests who showed up for last year's NFL game at Croke Park, it may not even be a surprise to see Clifford and a few companions showing up for August's game at GAA HQ.

Sesko and the United squad return to Manchester for their first game in 24 days on Monday night - curiously, against Leeds United, the opposition for this summer's Croke Park friendly. Victory will put them within touching distance of confirming their return to the Champions League.

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9 April 2026; Maria Reynolds during a Republic of Ireland women's media conference at FAI Headquarters in Abbotstown, Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

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