Tyrone singer 'honoured' to perform at Michael Conlon's star studded New York debut

A talented young singer from the village of Eglish in County Tyrone was chosen to perform the Irish National anthem to a packed Madison Square Gardens before Belfast boxer Michael Conlon's professional debut in NYC.
Joe McVeighJoe McVeigh
Joe McVeigh

Joseph McVeigh, a regular on the NI pub circuit, has been knocking on the door of fame for a number of years with spine-tingling covers that have been known to go viral.

Recent efforts saw him just miss out in Louis Walsh’s search for members of boy band, Hometown, but he wasn't put off by Walsh's decision and has gone on to release covers of hit songs like Prince's purple rain that has been featured on newspaper sites across the region - garnering up on 50,000 views.

Now Joe has taken his talent across the Atlantic, where he belted out his version of the Irish national anthem - Amhrán na bhFiann - while playing his own guitar accompaniment to a crowd of thousands at the star studded St Patrick's Day fight.

Before jetting off to New York to perform at possibly the biggest event in both his and Michael Conlon's careers so far, the young Eglish man posted on his Facebook page.

He said: "Flying to New York for a few days to play the national anthem for Mickey Conlan's debut pro fight on St. Patrick's day in Madison Square Garden with the world watching - very scared but also very honoured."

Conlon, who had topped the bill that night, went on to win his first professional fight on with a third round stoppage against US opponent Tim Ibarra.

Also at the big night were UFC champion Conor McGregor and Irish One Direction star Niall Horan - who was well dressed for the occasion in a shamrock suit.

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