ANOTHER AMAZING DAY ended with another hugely disappointing result; there seems to be a bit of a pattern developing here – the more craic we have off the pitch, the bigger a spanking we’re getting on it. Maybe we’ll just stay in the day of the Italy game and we might get a bit of a result.
It wasn’t the biggest surprise of course, needing a result against one of the best teams in history was realistically going to require some kind of a miracle and the false optimism of the Green Army, myself included, barely covered the underlying knowledge that last night was going to be game over for Ireland’s chances of progressing to the Ukraine. So we just decided to have the biggest party of the trip so far all day long yesterday and my God my head hurts today!
Once again the thousands of Irish took over the town square with a few conductors up on the steps leading the chanting and the singing all day; the Spanish crowd in the corner completely outsang and outnumbered again.
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As with Poznan, any wall or fence had a tricolour draped off it and top marks to a flag I saw yesterday which had a picture of Bishop Brennan from Father Ted on it accompanied by the slogan ‘They’re even coming from Gdansk to see the film’, a line which any fan of that masterful show will remember -the best flag of the trip so far.
As well as the colour and the chanting, the sheer randomness of some of the Irish fans is hilarious – at one stage out of nowhere a fan dressed head-to-toe in Packie Bonner’s Italia ’90 kit appeared – complete with jersey, shorts, socks, football boots, wig, gloves and ball – and was passed all the way across the square over people’s heads.
One lad near us spent the entire day drinking what appeared to be vodka out of a wellie, while again there were three or four blow-up dolls in Irish jerseys being waved about. There was also a fair few locals who were out in the square for the day soaking it all up, keen to get involved in the session and being thrilled when the inevitable ‘Polska for the Boys in Green’ chant went up.
With this much drinking done by that many people you would think, as with any collection of blokes boozed-up, that it would lead to a few scraps but there’s a code with the Green Army that you’re representing the country so you always put your best foot forward. One fight broke out down the square, two lads with too much drink on board and the whole crowd started booing them until they stopped and shook hands!
The atmosphere on the way to, and inside the stadium itself was electric and if we were going down, we were going down singing – apart from the discovery that the pints we’d been guzzling down at inflated prices in the stadiums over here were actually non-alcoholic, and the 4-0 drubbing, it was a wonderful experience with the fans’ rendition of ‘The Fields of Athenry’ for the last ten minutes making the hairs stand up on the back of your neck.
I’ve no idea how it looked on television or how it was received back home but we sang our hearts out and the players gave their all. It was accepted by all the fans with good grace – well apart from one clown ranting on in the stadium about the players not showing enough passion for the shirt and blaming our defeat by the reigning European and World champions on this fact as he reckoned it was only “11 players against 11 and the Spanish just tried harder”.
Afterwards, the disappointment of the result was put to one side and we headed back into the town square after, in the lashings of rain, and sang up for the Boys in Green once more.
On we go for the Italy game, surely this will be our big one.
I’m in Germany and the amount of praise they have for the fans last night is crazy! They’re all saying the Irish fans are amazing and its an amazing contrast to the poles and russians scrapping!
Super,super and very uplifting especially after the sad hammering . Supporters of Ireland……you have done us proud here and all over the World… Ole.ole.ole…and the auld fields of Athen…plus your proud rendition of our national Anthem..Slainte
Are you drunk? Our supporters are an embarrassment, drunks singing songs like they won, celebrating being losers….Roll on the open topped bus and more celebrations when they return. I bet Sky News are waiting for that…gobhsi*es
@ Paula – Real fans support their team through good times and bad. Miserable whingers like you seem to think they should be castigated on a constant basis
I’m in Spain at d moment and it’s exactly the same here. Everybody is talking about the Irish spirit and how if all supporters were like that it would be a carnival not a tournament. For all those dissing their own people: shut up.
I feel sorry for a lot of the supporters who broke there bollox getting over there. But the fact of it is the Ireland team that got us to the euros weren’t the Ireland team that showed up they bottled it! I was at the world cup play off match in Paris and played brilliant showed everybody what there capable of! It’s such a shame they couldn’t show that over in Poland.
I have never been so embarrassed in my life. I have had to endure numerous sarcastic comments from foreign colleagues about the drunken simpletons celebrating a loss. Like drunks singing songs and celebrating is some sort of national pride.
Clowns with plastic hammers. I bet the team are celebrating with their manager tonight also, why wouldn’t they when they know they are supported by a nation of fools.
If you want a party, go to Ibiza. If you want your team to win, to aspire to being better, show some genuine disappointment like true football fans. Otherwise the country will always be the joke without a punchline.
Embarrassed? I live in Spain and every single native I’ve spoken to today who saw the match had the same reaction. They were amazed, and very very impressed. Most told me of their goosebumps and they all wished their supporters could come close.
Those of you who think that the Irish fans were celebrating the loss last night are totally missing the point. Of course our fans were disappointed that we were demolished by Spain, but they sang their hearts out to show they’re unrelenting pride in their nation, no matter what the circumstance.
Many people saved up hard earned cash to go to Poland to follow Ireland. They’re entitled to enjoy themselves, and if that involves having a few drinks (and behaving brilliantly) and generally representing our country in a way that’s attracting plaudits from all around the world then I’m right behind them.
I can see that the old Irish begrudgery we know and love so well, has a new best friend: Irish self-loathing. FFS! What are we like? The Irish fans did this country proud last night.
Yes, we’re disappointed but we didn’t “celebrate” defeat. But you can’t explain that to the self-loathing gligíns rattling on about “embarrassment”, with wringing hands and knickers twisted, worrying that we’re laughing stocks in Europe. Spare me!
You Paula sound like a miserable, cranky, tired old bitch who if you happened to find a man would no doubt have him tied to a bed and hobbled, as your favourite movie/book is misery, people like you should just stop considering yourself as Irish as you bring nothing to us as a people. God help the people who have the misfortune to have to work with you.
And now for the open topped bus through the streets of Dublin just in case we haven’t embarrassed ourselves enough with our “sing very loudly and maybe nobody will notice we just got hammered” episode last night.
I live in Portugal now (went from the frying pan into the fire) and watched the game with a crowd of Portuguese friends. Coming to the end, they were in pleasant disbelief at the Irish fans’ singing. They couldn’t imagine Portuguese fans having so much passion or pride and have a whole new respect for us Irish as a result of it. I also had phone calls from friends here watching on TV to tell me how amazed and moved they were by the Irish fans’ singing. Made me very very proud to be Irish.
It was hard not to puke watching the football but I lost that battle watching the f**king idiots singing after the final whistle. They should have applauded the fantastic Spanish team and thier fantastic real football supporters then politely applauded thier own teams dismal effort and left with dignity intact. Instead we now just look like a bunch of clowns.
Link to one foreign source which suggests that the fans made themselves look like clowns. Any reports I’ve read have praised the Irish fans. All of the comments on YouTube etc from people abroad have been massively positive about the Irish supporters.
Sure as long as everyone else thinks we’re great it dosn’t matter that we’re actually shite. Its patronising. Pat us on the head and say aren’t you great fellas.Do you think the Germans, French ,Italians, Spanish would swap places with us?? No chance. Embarrassing!!
YesJames, the Irish supporters should have rioted and tore up the stadium instead!! What a muppet. The fact of the matter is that the Irish fans showed the world that, through thick and thin, that this team will have support from its fans. It’s not about who is the manager or who the individual wearing the jersey is: this is Ireland, this is our team and we’ll be there for the World Cup qualifiers even after this miserable result. We’ll be back with a new crop and anyone that takes us lightly will get shown up. That has happened so many times in the past and it will happen again. If fans showing pride in their country or team, through bad times as well as good, is something you can’t comprehend then sport is not a past-time for you. Try knitting instead perhaps. Your delicate sensibilities won’t be affected by that perhaps.
@James i just read in a Brazilian newspaper “depois deste jogo é de ponderar a comprar uma camisola da rep. da Irlanda neste verão” (after this game it’s time to think about getting a rep ireland shirt this summer). In the same article they said we lost 4-0 on the field but won 20-0 in the stands. Yeah, the world is laughing at us. Get over yourself ya pile of misery
just a little comment for the negative people on here ye r the ones who should be embarrassed coming on here n critising the irish supporters yes we were all disappointed but i am not embarrassed by the supporters i am in awe of them they are proud of who they are as the majority of irish people are except for the few miseries, ye should be ashamed of yourselves, the world is a big.place if ye don’t like it here move ye won’t be missed change ye’re nationality again ye won’t be missed, and you should have stood up for your country paula when they were being slagged off not agreeing with them i am surprised you had the nerve to come on here and say what u said, as soneone said earlier move out of country i am sure there are plenty of people who will help me raise money for.your ticket (one way ticket) we will even take you to airport just to make sure you get on plane,
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brilliant report, Cian. very enjoyable read. COYBIG
Great song for the circumstances too..
I’m in Germany and the amount of praise they have for the fans last night is crazy! They’re all saying the Irish fans are amazing and its an amazing contrast to the poles and russians scrapping!
Super,super and very uplifting especially after the sad hammering . Supporters of Ireland……you have done us proud here and all over the World… Ole.ole.ole…and the auld fields of Athen…plus your proud rendition of our national Anthem..Slainte
Are you drunk? Our supporters are an embarrassment, drunks singing songs like they won, celebrating being losers….Roll on the open topped bus and more celebrations when they return. I bet Sky News are waiting for that…gobhsi*es
@ Paula – Real fans support their team through good times and bad. Miserable whingers like you seem to think they should be castigated on a constant basis
@Ben, just ignore that wan and she’ll go back under her bridge
Normally I would Paul but every man has his breaking point :-)
@paula. you used the word supporters yet you get embaressed when they actually support them. therefore i conclude you are an idiot :) have a nice day
Have you not left the country yet Paula? At this stage I’ll gladly pay for your flights
I’m in Spain at d moment and it’s exactly the same here. Everybody is talking about the Irish spirit and how if all supporters were like that it would be a carnival not a tournament. For all those dissing their own people: shut up.
I feel sorry for a lot of the supporters who broke there bollox getting over there. But the fact of it is the Ireland team that got us to the euros weren’t the Ireland team that showed up they bottled it! I was at the world cup play off match in Paris and played brilliant showed everybody what there capable of! It’s such a shame they couldn’t show that over in Poland.
Surprising lack of cream crackers around Dublin these last few weeks!
Plenty of bitter lemons though.
Irish Lose: Drunken Celebrations
Irish declared worst fans of Tournament: Drunken Celebrations
I have never been so embarrassed in my life. I have had to endure numerous sarcastic comments from foreign colleagues about the drunken simpletons celebrating a loss. Like drunks singing songs and celebrating is some sort of national pride.
Clowns with plastic hammers. I bet the team are celebrating with their manager tonight also, why wouldn’t they when they know they are supported by a nation of fools.
If you want a party, go to Ibiza. If you want your team to win, to aspire to being better, show some genuine disappointment like true football fans. Otherwise the country will always be the joke without a punchline.
Fools!!
Troll
Ah shutup
Embarrassed? I live in Spain and every single native I’ve spoken to today who saw the match had the same reaction. They were amazed, and very very impressed. Most told me of their goosebumps and they all wished their supporters could come close.
Paula, I’d say your great craic!
Those of you who think that the Irish fans were celebrating the loss last night are totally missing the point. Of course our fans were disappointed that we were demolished by Spain, but they sang their hearts out to show they’re unrelenting pride in their nation, no matter what the circumstance.
Many people saved up hard earned cash to go to Poland to follow Ireland. They’re entitled to enjoy themselves, and if that involves having a few drinks (and behaving brilliantly) and generally representing our country in a way that’s attracting plaudits from all around the world then I’m right behind them.
Daniel, you just summed the whole thing up perfectly.
I can see that the old Irish begrudgery we know and love so well, has a new best friend: Irish self-loathing. FFS! What are we like? The Irish fans did this country proud last night.
Yes, we’re disappointed but we didn’t “celebrate” defeat. But you can’t explain that to the self-loathing gligíns rattling on about “embarrassment”, with wringing hands and knickers twisted, worrying that we’re laughing stocks in Europe. Spare me!
You Paula sound like a miserable, cranky, tired old bitch who if you happened to find a man would no doubt have him tied to a bed and hobbled, as your favourite movie/book is misery, people like you should just stop considering yourself as Irish as you bring nothing to us as a people. God help the people who have the misfortune to have to work with you.
Wow you really haven’t a clue…
i actually hate u paula
And now for the open topped bus through the streets of Dublin just in case we haven’t embarrassed ourselves enough with our “sing very loudly and maybe nobody will notice we just got hammered” episode last night.
So true
I live in Portugal now (went from the frying pan into the fire) and watched the game with a crowd of Portuguese friends. Coming to the end, they were in pleasant disbelief at the Irish fans’ singing. They couldn’t imagine Portuguese fans having so much passion or pride and have a whole new respect for us Irish as a result of it. I also had phone calls from friends here watching on TV to tell me how amazed and moved they were by the Irish fans’ singing. Made me very very proud to be Irish.
It was hard not to puke watching the football but I lost that battle watching the f**king idiots singing after the final whistle. They should have applauded the fantastic Spanish team and thier fantastic real football supporters then politely applauded thier own teams dismal effort and left with dignity intact. Instead we now just look like a bunch of clowns.
Link to one foreign source which suggests that the fans made themselves look like clowns. Any reports I’ve read have praised the Irish fans. All of the comments on YouTube etc from people abroad have been massively positive about the Irish supporters.
Someone is certainly looking like a clown
Sure as long as everyone else thinks we’re great it dosn’t matter that we’re actually shite. Its patronising. Pat us on the head and say aren’t you great fellas.Do you think the Germans, French ,Italians, Spanish would swap places with us?? No chance. Embarrassing!!
YesJames, the Irish supporters should have rioted and tore up the stadium instead!! What a muppet. The fact of the matter is that the Irish fans showed the world that, through thick and thin, that this team will have support from its fans. It’s not about who is the manager or who the individual wearing the jersey is: this is Ireland, this is our team and we’ll be there for the World Cup qualifiers even after this miserable result. We’ll be back with a new crop and anyone that takes us lightly will get shown up. That has happened so many times in the past and it will happen again. If fans showing pride in their country or team, through bad times as well as good, is something you can’t comprehend then sport is not a past-time for you. Try knitting instead perhaps. Your delicate sensibilities won’t be affected by that perhaps.
I hear ya barkin rex.
Just puked myself reading your comments
@James i just read in a Brazilian newspaper “depois deste jogo é de ponderar a comprar uma camisola da rep. da Irlanda neste verão” (after this game it’s time to think about getting a rep ireland shirt this summer). In the same article they said we lost 4-0 on the field but won 20-0 in the stands. Yeah, the world is laughing at us. Get over yourself ya pile of misery
Paula, me thinks you need some…………
Kop on Paula
just a little comment for the negative people on here ye r the ones who should be embarrassed coming on here n critising the irish supporters yes we were all disappointed but i am not embarrassed by the supporters i am in awe of them they are proud of who they are as the majority of irish people are except for the few miseries, ye should be ashamed of yourselves, the world is a big.place if ye don’t like it here move ye won’t be missed change ye’re nationality again ye won’t be missed, and you should have stood up for your country paula when they were being slagged off not agreeing with them i am surprised you had the nerve to come on here and say what u said, as soneone said earlier move out of country i am sure there are plenty of people who will help me raise money for.your ticket (one way ticket) we will even take you to airport just to make sure you get on plane,