AS WELL AS earning the right to play alongside the continent’s best players, qualification for a major tournament also brings the opportunity for players to make a few extra quid through commercial endorsements.
This year is no different and you may notice a number of the team’s household names popping up alongside their favourite beer, mobile phone company or washing detergent brand in the coming weeks.
Below are two television adverts for the FAI’s main sponsor, Three, which surfaced yesterday. While the lads won’t be threading the boards of the Abbey anytime soon, Trap puts in a stellar performance – not one, but twice.
YouTube credit: threeireland
(h/t: Daniel McDonnell)
Here are some of the best and worst from down the years:
1. The 1998 Brazilian team
Fourteen years on, this song is still stuck in my head. Brazil, favourites to take the ’98 World Cup in France, bring Joga Bonita to an airport. Roberto Carlos, Denilson and Romario (who missed out on the tournament) all feature but Ronaldo is the star of the show.
YouTube credit: Chugboat2006
2. Irish football managers of the past
Soon after the appointment of Giovanni Trapattoni, Carlsberg brought three of Ireland’s former bosses together. Right at the end, Gilesy is so pleased with his new position that he attempts to speak but no words come out.
3. Young Scott Parker
Today, he is known as Tottenham’s midfield general but back in 1993, Scott Parker was a lover of Big Macs known as ‘Jimmy’.
YouTube credit: atariman1988
4. Pat Jennings… as an oil filter
Comparing an oil filter with a goalkeeper? Genius. Not the former Arsenal, Spurs and Northern Ireland stopper’s greatest decision.
YouTube credit: UnipartGroup
5. John Arne Riise, Morten Gamst Pedersen and Erik Huseklepp recommend fruit
Next time you crave a bag of your favourite pick ‘n’ mix, don’t forget Norway’s finest, complete with auto tune, are watching.
YouTube credit: BAMABENDIT
6. Gareth Southgate post-Euro ’96
After missing a penalty in the defeat to Germany, Southgate, along with Stuart Pearce and Chris Waddle, starred in a shameless commercial for Pizza Hut. Number of cringey ‘miss’ puns: Five.
YouTube credit: HCDrulz0001
7. Cantona’s ‘Au’revoir’
Another one for the children of the ’90s, many of whom insisted on putting their foot on the ball, sticking their collar up, and doing their best French impression before every shot they took after this classic from Nike.
YouTube credit: Socceroo
8. McAteer and Ireland’s World Cup win
In a single minute, Carlsberg managed to capture the dreams of a nation in the run-up to our last appearance on the world stage. Still gives me shivers.
YouTube credit: thedorksideofthemoon
