EURO 2012 MAY have been a complete failure on the pitch for Ireland but one set of fans have had a win of their own off it today.
The supporters’ now famous flag, emblazoned with the cheeky slogan ‘Angela Merkel Thinks We’re At Work’, was sold earlier for over €15,000, with another €5,000 also raised for charity.
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Crumlin Children’s Hospital and the Oscar Knox Appeal hosted by Neuroblastoma Alliance will share all the cash raised in the deal with Iris R&D and Glendun Group. The flag was auctioned off on this morning on RTÉ 2FM’s Ryan Tubridy show with well-known Dublin pub Copper Face Jacks donating €5,000 to the cause despite losing the auction.
“What we lost on the pitch in Poland, we gained in the stands and terraces thanks to the Irish fans and their sense of humour,” said Tubridy afterwards. “The Merkel flag was the funniest joke of them all and now the joke has been put to good use by a bunch of decent lads and a heap of generous listeners. Fans – 1, Begrudgers – nil.”
The new owners plan to send the flag on an international tour; visiting the offices of winning bidder, Oonagh McInerney in Dublin and Barcelona before making its way to Sydney, Australia to hang from the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The flag will finally be presented to Oscar Knox, the young supporter who was an internet hit himself when he mimicked the flag with this effort before one of Ireland’s Group C games:
And the fans behind the banner? Friends Gerry Nolan, Richie Tuohy, Richie Leahy, Eoin Cantwell and Eoin O’Brien have been invited to the German embassy on Monday. “And we’re nearly sure it’s not a trap,” they wrote on Twitter.
This was a great gesture by the Merkel lads to help one wee boy in particular (Oscar Knox) and sick children in general with part of the money raised going to Crumlin Children’s hospital. Wee Oscar’s parents run a twitter page for him raising awareness of his illness-he’s a truly brave boy https://mobile.twitter.com/#!/wee_oscar
Well done to all involved. A great gesture and two worthy causes. Don’t normally like to see any National flag defaced but this time it brought a smile to thousands.n
Liam, its not whats written on the flag, its how the flag makes you feel…
People could write messages on the flag 7 days a week, if it does good for the people of the country.
In this case, a very sick little boy was very happy, and ended up drawing his own flag and writing on it, it made him feel better. the guy wrote a message to the whole country about how they felt, and a little boy responded.
The fact it was an Irish flag, makes me feel prouder than punch :)
It was Copper’s, Ireland’s hub for sporting celebrations! Well done lads it’s really clever and never fails to bring a smile to my face no matter how many times I’ve see it!
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Fans 1-0 Begrudgers nNooooooooooooooooooo. nnWell done to all involved.
Lost the matches but won the hearts and praise of thousands.Well done to all the supporters home and aboard.
This was a great gesture by the Merkel lads to help one wee boy in particular (Oscar Knox) and sick children in general with part of the money raised going to Crumlin Children’s hospital. Wee Oscar’s parents run a twitter page for him raising awareness of his illness-he’s a truly brave boy https://mobile.twitter.com/#!/wee_oscar
Oscar you little legend! :-)
Wonder if she got a laugh from it?
Can she even smile??? nBut well done to all concerned
Good to read a good news story like this. Well done to those involved. Great pic of Oscar as well.
Great story, that flag still makes me smile no matter how many times I’ve seen it
Well done to all involved. A great gesture and two worthy causes. Don’t normally like to see any National flag defaced but this time it brought a smile to thousands.n
Liam, its not whats written on the flag, its how the flag makes you feel…
People could write messages on the flag 7 days a week, if it does good for the people of the country.
In this case, a very sick little boy was very happy, and ended up drawing his own flag and writing on it, it made him feel better. the guy wrote a message to the whole country about how they felt, and a little boy responded.
The fact it was an Irish flag, makes me feel prouder than punch :)
Heard someone put a bid in but lost but still contributed 5k to th fund. Fair play to all involved
It was Copper’s, Ireland’s hub for sporting celebrations! Well done lads it’s really clever and never fails to bring a smile to my face no matter how many times I’ve see it!
So it was Joan. lovely gesture.
Where’s Paula Brennan to pour scorn on little Oscar?
C’mon Paula, be consistent here. He’s smiling and all, how dare he?
Great Flag
hahaha IRISH Fans are the best !!! :D http://youtu.be/PGlufoVtgIs
My auntie is Oonagh McInerney and my uncle is also the man who took it to Australia.
Great to see our Irish humour being put to good cause.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vopw5coTltA&feature=colike