It was a total eclipse of Croke Park and a penalty shootout win for Man United as they beat Leeds in Dublin in a historic pre-season friendly.

Over 82,000 fans gathered for the first football match at Croke Park since 2009, and the first-ever club game at the venue, in a game dubbed the Boyle Sports Cup Final. And while many were out in fields watching the solar eclipse, those who had eyes on the field on Jones Road were treated to a classic.

For Man United, this game marked the return of Bruno Fernandes, who was playing his first pre-season friendly since returning from the World Cup; meanwhile, new signing Andrey Santos got the chance to feature this pre-season again.

For Leeds, new signing James Trafford got the run out in goal, along with fellow newcomer Tarik Muharemovic, playing in defence. Ex-Manchester United star Dan James was also starting for Leeds on the wing.

There was a huge Leeds contingent on Hill 16, but it was Man United who were celebrating down that end first when Bryan Mbeumo broke through Leeds’ high line and put Joshua Zirkzee through, and the Dutch striker slotted it past Trafford to give the Red Devils the lead after 15 minutes, much to the delight of the majority United support.

However, that lead wouldn’t last too long, as Leeds got their equaliser against the run of play; Brenden Aaronson and James played the ball between themselves before the American put it past Lammens in the United goal to tie things up.

GAA president Jarlath Burns, as well as several members of Mayo’s All-Ireland-winning football team, were some of the many names in attendance for the big occasion as both sides went into the break level.

Both teams ended the match with completely different 11s than the ones they started with, as Youri Tielemans, Bruno Fernandes and Matheus Cunha were among the names that got a run out for the Red Devils.

And Fernandes dazzled the Croke Park crowd with his cameo, having a goal ruled out for a narrow offside and having an effort hit off the crossbar as he looks to continue on from his great season last time out.

It ended in embarrassment for organisers as players were forced off the pitch after several children invaded the pitch, evading stewards with ease as many were looking for selfies with Fernandes and co. The stoppage took up the rest of normal time as the referee blew for full time, bringing the match to a penalty shoot-out.

Despite Fernandes himself missing a rare penalty, it was Noussair Mazraoui who slotted the all-important spot-kick home to give United the win as Fernandes walked up the hallowed Hogan steps to lift the trophy.

‘Security an absolute disgrace for this game in Croke Park. Shame on you, front-line security,’ one user posted on X about the pitch invasions. ‘Soccer fans show up once and, of course have break entry. Typical’, posted another.

Another posted: ‘Security guards have had an absolute mare here at Croke Park; about 30 kids got on the pitch.’ Another posted ‘Croke Park security shambles.’