Conor McGregor lines out for local Sunday League football club in Dublin

Conor McGregor returned to the football pitch as he lined out for his pub's football team Black Forge FC today.

McGregor, 36, has not fought in the UFC since his horror leg break in July 2021 when he fought Dustin Poirier. But the leg looked in top condition this afternoon as he took to the field to represent the Forge in their UCFL Premier Division clash with Harding FC in Ringsend, Dublin.

Wearing number 11 and lining out left-wing, McGregor started the game and was pictured jogging and playing some crossfield passes in the warm-up. He hinted at his appearance earlier on Twitter, posting a picture of some snazzy purple Nike boots with the caption: "Today we ball".

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And while the Forge may be a ways away from FAI Cup glory, current holders Drogheda United issued a statement distancing themselves from McGregor after he posted a photo online posing with the trophy on Wednesday. Drogheda beat Derry City 2-0 in the FAI Cup final at the Aviva Stadium in November, with Andrew Quinn and Douglas James-Taylor grabbing the goals.

McGregor's cousin, Warren Davis, was part of the victorious Drogheda United squad and the former UFC Champion hailed his cousin in an Instagram post, saying: "Yup the gaf, @theblackforgeinn! FAI cup in the house! Congrats my cuz @warrend02 on winning the fai trophy with @dundalkfc! That's two of my cousins now who have won this prestigious Irish Football League trophy. One with Bohs, Keith, and one with Dundalk, Warren!! Tremendous! It's in the blood!"

McGregor mistakenly congratulated Davis for winning the trophy with Dundalk, but quickly edited his post to say Drogheda instead. Later that evening, Drogheda moved to distance themselves from McGregor and made it clear that they are not associated with him in any way.

They said: "A social media post has been brought to our attention today regarding the FAI Cup. Those pictured are a close relation to one of our first team players, who like all the other players had custody of the cup to celebrate with their families at different intervals.

"Drogheda United do not associate ourselves with the individual who made the social media post in any way, or with any unauthorised brands mentioned."

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