TWENTY-EIGHT LOVELY months of June have passed since Ray Houghton got the ball and stuck it in the English net in Stuttgart.
Last night at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy, the Republic of Ireland won a match for only the second time ever and first time since in the European Championships.
Picture caption: Alan Foley (left) with Joanne Duffy (Castlefin), Barry Fitzgerald (Letterkenny), Italian Valerio Curci and Karen Gallagher (Letterkenny) at the Grand Place, Lille.
When Robbie Brady headed home a cross from Norwich City teammate Wes Hoolahan against an admittedly understrength Italy, it almost appeared as though it was worth the wait.
Brady’s goal was probably worth an estimated €50 million to the French economy and – judging by air fares today – worth plenty to the Michael O’Leary types.
[adrotate group=”66″]Now, following that 1-0 win in a sticky and sweaty stadium with the roof closed to add to the cacophony, Martin O’Neill’s team and its jolly green army head south to Lyon to face host nation France.
Irish supporters have been described as the only fans who have fans and created a carnival atmosphere in the Grand Place in Lille just as they had done in at the Moulin Rouge in Paris and Bordeaux’s Cours Albret.
There were streams of green jerseys lugging cases of beer and bottles of wine from supermarkets with the sun high overhead.
It wasn’t difficult to locate the off licences; generally the rule of thumb was to follow the green.
The mood is a merry one, as many of you might’ve seen from the various videos doing the rounds on social media.
As well as being – we’re told – the best supporters in the world, Irish fans are particularly good at climbing things – signs, lampposts and statues especially.
And chances are if you see what appears to be a puddle, chances are it’s not a puddle.
The Italians, who were outnumbered by five to one, joined in the festivities as footballs were belted from one end of the square to the other, clocking the occasional unsuspecting punter.
At this stage ‘Shane Long’s on Fire’ is probably tattooed on every Irishman’s brain. You can hear it in your sleep!
[adrotate group=”72″]Question-marks hung over Ireland since their second half capitulation against Belgium in Saturday’s 3-0 loss.
There was a great sense of pride from a northwestern perspective to see Killybegs native Seamus Coleman captain the team, joined in the back four by Shane Duffy.
Both men were well supported by those from Donegal.
For long spells last night it looked as though it would be another morale victory and defiant singsong.
[adrotate group=”46″]O’Neill’s brave team selection more than matched the Italians but when Hoolahan passed up on a glorious chance with seven minutes left it looked all but up.
The narrow win was enough to snatch a third-placed berth for Ireland as the trains and buses literally rocked their way back into town.
Last night a young Frenchman proposed to his young lady in front of a bar that had hoards of jubilant Irish fans outside.
When the lady said “oui” and embraced the soon to be newlyweds were sprayed in beer by the green-clad onlookers and carried on Kings’ chairs to celebrate their engagement.
[adrotate group=”74″]The last time Ireland played France was in 2009, a match made infamous by a handball by Thierry Henry in the lead-up to the tie winning goal by William Gallas.
That incident will undoubtedly be dragged up in the coming days but it’s of little consequence now.
France and indeed Ireland are new teams since then.
Now the challenge facing Irish supporters is Lyon. Extortionate air fares mean that many supporters still in Ireland can’t make the journey to France.
On the other hand those still at the championships can’t afford to get home. Still, you’re damned if you do and damned if you don’t. And it’s better to be in than out.
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