Belfast Mass-goer calls for England to be 'put out of the Euros'

Photo shows Thursday's Mass at Clonard and (inset) England manager Gareth Southgate
-Credit: (Image: X"@Gaeldesignshop/Getty Images)


Mass-goers in Belfast are hoping some divine intervention denies England winning this summer's Euros.

Gareth Southgate's Three Lions have reached the knockout stages of the tournament in Germany. They will face Slovakia in the last-16 after finding themselves on the easier side of the draw, avoiding the hosts and fancied sides including France, Spain and Portugal.

Thursday morning's Clonard Solemn Novena descended into laughter when a petition was read out to see England "put out of the Euros". Footage from the the comical moment during the 6.45am Mass went viral on social media.

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Fr Carlos Diego Gutierrez read out the "funny" request at the Falls monastary, adding it was "a very serious one, too".

He said: "Dear Mother of Perpetual Help, put England out of the Euros. We still hear about 1966 and will never hear the end of it.

"A Loving Daughter with a sense of humour.

"'PS, I have been praying to Pio as well', she added."

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