A MAN who left Ireland as a youngster but dreamed of playing for the Republic has said he was backing Wales to beat England yesterday.

Columb Starrett, from Bicester, left Holywood in County Down with his family more than five decades ago and joined English and Welsh fans fans in Bordeaux for the big match.

The 60-year-old said there was "no two ways" about who he would be cheering for in the England versus Wales match, adding: "I wanted to be with the Irish fans watching the Euros. This is the start of the celebrations."

Mr Starrett said he has always been an avid football fan, adding that he believes he would have been playing in the Euros had he not relocated to England.

He said: "I've always wanted to play for Ireland. I think if I'd stayed in Ireland I'd have been playing for Ireland. That was my ambition."

His nephew Phil Starrett, 49, who lives in Souldern in Oxfordshire, is also backing the Republic to win this year's competition.

He said: "I'm here with my uncle celebrating his 60th birthday watching the mighty green army and having the craic."

Irish fans are already beginning to pour into Bordeaux ahead of their side's game against Belgium on Saturday.

So far Italy have already beaten Belgium by scoring two goals, one in the 90th minute by Pellè.