WWE Dublin: Sheamus Surprises Kids, Becky Lynch Sparks Controversy, and John Cena’s Irish Farewell
Fresh off WWE’s historic Friday Night SmackDown at Dublin’s 3Arena last week, Sheamus traded the squared circle for the football pitch — surprising a group of young players at Glasnevin FC’s U10 training session.
A Celtic Warrior in Goal
While most of the WWE roster jetted off for the next leg of the European Tour, the 47-year-old Dublin native — real name Stephen Farrelly — stayed behind in his hometown. On Saturday morning, he stunned the Glasnevin FC kids by showing up at their training session, even lacing up to join drills.
Photos shared by the club on social media showed Sheamus towering over the team, signing shirts, answering questions, and even stepping in goal to face a round of penalties. One of the kids’ first questions? Whether he had ever beaten John Cena — to which Sheamus proudly confirmed, recalling his first WWE Championship win against Cena at TLC 2009.
Grassroots Meets Global Star
Glasnevin FC coach Chris Kiernan told the Irish Sun that Sheamus’ visit perfectly fit the club’s community-first ethos:
“Glasnevin as a club is a community-based club. It’s all about supporting grassroots football and I think he loved that message when we were explaining what we do. The lift that he gave the kids — they were delighted. Sheamus is an absolute gent. We are really appreciative of everything he did, even just coming down.”
Word of Sheamus’ appearance spread quickly. Kids from nearby sessions rushed over for a meet-and-greet, turning an ordinary weekend training into a memory they’ll carry forever.
A Historic WWE Weekend in Dublin
The visit capped off an already eventful weekend for Irish fans. WWE’s SmackDown at the 3Arena marked the first televised WWE event ever held in Ireland.
The card featured:
- John Cena’s final appearance in Dublin before his end-of-year retirement.
- Becky Lynch, who cut a fiery promo that swung from cheers to boos after taking aim at Dublin’s reception, rugby stars, and even Irish boxing legend Katie Taylor.
Sheamus and Becky Lynch will both be in action tomorrow at WWE Clash in Paris, with Sheamus facing Rusev and Lynch defending her Women’s Intercontinental Championship.
🎙 Wrestling.news | Backstage Take
This moment is classic Sheamus — a hometown hero never too big to give back. While WWE lit up the 3Arena, his visit to Glasnevin FC shows why he’s respected beyond the ring. Wrestling may be scripted, but gestures like this aren’t; they remind fans that superstars can inspire on and off the canvas.
Pair this with Becky Lynch’s fiery heel promo and John Cena’s farewell to Dublin, and WWE’s Irish stop wasn’t just a show — it was history. The timing couldn’t be better, with Clash in Paris promising even more fireworks.
