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Rock queen Imelda May is to sing the Irish national anthem before Conor McGregor ’s clash against Floyd Mayweather .

She answered an emergency call from McGregor’s team after the fight organisers told them they needed to arrange a singer.

U2 frontman Bono was initially asked to perform The Soldiers Song before 19,000 fans at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

But he reluctantly turned down the offer because he is attending a friend’s wedding in France.

McGregor, 29, then personally asked fellow Dubliner May to do the honours - and she accepted.

The delighted 43-year-old raced to the airport to catch a 10-hour first-class flight to Vegas.

(Image: Getty Images North America) (Image: Barcroft Media) (Image: Getty)

American singer Demi Lovato will sing the U.S anthem before the sell-out clash on Saturday night.

May had to cancel a gig in Warwickshire and apologised to her fans in a post on social media.

A source close to May told the Mirror: "Conor's team are trying to keep her identity under wraps.

"It was literally a last minute call, so Imelda was a bit shocked - but it’s a huge honour for her."

May has previously appeared on Jools Holland Live, Strictly Come Dancing and at the 2010 Grammys.

She has worked with stars including Lou Reed, Tom Jones, The Levellers and Meatloaf.