'Like a ginger needle on a turntable' Ed Sheeran returns to a rebel welcome in Cork

“Let me tell you, Cork on a Thursday is more mental than Dublin on a Saturday night,” Ed Sheeran told the roaring Cork crowd

Ed Sheeran returned to Cork on Thursday for the first of two near sold out gigs, that will see the stadium packed with near 70,000 fans over the two days. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

“Cork on a Thursday is more mental than Dublin on a Saturday night,” Ed Sheeran told 35,000 fans who gathered at the first of two bumper shows in Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Thursday night.

On Thursday in Cork city, the sun shone, Sheeran was blaring on repeat on every corner, and the red carpet was rolled out to give the red-haired singer-songwriter with Irish roots a rebel welcome.