Big cheers for the Boys in Green

It may be drizzling outside, but I received a warm welcome when I headed for Courtney’s Bar on Sunday lunchtime for the most important game Ireland have in their latest European campaign.

I was only in the door when I met up with the main man in Courtneys Ciaran Dunne who told me it was going to be a 1-0 to Ireland and Shane Long was going to do the necessary.

I then headed over for a word with Shane Duffy from Dowdallshill who was in for the game with Darryl Murphy from Bay Estate who just wanted to out ‘ C’mon de boys’.

Three ladies who were looking extremely well and ready to keep the celebrations going when we won were Catherine Carolan from Rockmarshall, Barbara Finnegan from Mount Avenue and Elizabeth Reilly from Bay Estate who said they were looking forward to the game.

Meanwhile up near the bar I caught up with my old friends Ken and Elaine Durnin from Railway Terrace who assured me it would be 1-1 after extra time but we’d win it on penalties.

Not too long later I then got talking to Gerard and Fiona Kerley from Oldbridge who were looking for a good seat and said it would be us by the single goal.

After this I caught up with Padraig Kelly from Castleblaney who agreed and said 1-0 to us would suffice.

Not too far away I met up with a bunch of lads who were Cormac Callan from Louth Village, Ronan Lynch from Willow Grove, James McCann from Railway Terrace, Danny Kindlon from Louth Village and Darren Litchfield from Kilkerley who had the pints in and assured me it would be us by the single goal.

I then headed over for a word with Julie and Adrian O’Donoghue from Avenue Road who were with Marie and Derek Murphy from Manydown Closer who told me they were just looking forward to the game, once we got the right result.

After this I got a word with Eamonn Doran from Newry, Sean Duffy, Barry O’Hare and Rory Sheridan all from Killeavy who were all optimistic of a 1-0 win for Ireland and they’d be happy enough with that.

Next I made my way over to Kevin Quigley and Liam Rice both from Roche who were more worried about the Roche versus Glen Emmets final in the Winter League during the week and they were only out for a few pints to take their minds off it!

Finally, before I departed I met up with Pat Craven from Lower Faughart, Kenneth Gartlan from Ashbrook and Sean and Jackie Craven from Manydown Close who couldn’t wait for the game to get going and were sure Ireland would win it by one.

I got an even better reception when I headed for Brubakers where Trish Conroy was there to make sure I was well looked after and started by introducing me to three lovely ladies in the form of Sinead McLoughin from Mountain View, Joanne Shevlin from Kilkerley and Amanda Smith from Mountain View who said they were very optimistic and were already planning their next night out when Ireland was playing into the quarter finals.

I wasn’t too long in the door when I met up with John Smith and Roger McShane both from Muirhevnamor, John said it’d be 2-0 to France with Roger saying we’d win after extra time and penalties.

Seated close by were Niall Dowdall from Shelagh and Carol Gollogly from Cullyhanna who were sure Ireland could get a result, even if it did take us through to the penalties.

Next I met up with Paul Matthews from Monaghan who was with Gary and Tara O’Mahony from Kingswood The lads said that Patrice Evra was going to be their weakest link while Tara wanted to know who was playing?

Not too long later I met up with David Agnew from Kilkerley, Paul Hoey from Meadow Grove and Aidan Hoey from Knockbridge who were of a similar mind-set with the single goal taking it for us.

After this I headed for a table where I met up with James Mulholland from Cedarwood Park ad Emma Garry from Drogheda who told me that Shane long would be our hero by one to nil.

I then met a bunch of lads who had a great seat for the game and they were Andrew Carroll from Kilcurry, Jamie Kelly from Hackballscross, Joseph Olaoye from Clan Cullen Park and Conor Deane from Knockbridge who were up for a major afternoon of fun and had their faith in Jeff Hendrick to take us to the next round in the 86th minute.

I then had the pleasure of talking to Ciara Breen from Muirhevnamor and Maeve Curtis from Blackrock now, who told me it will be France in the first half, but Ireland to win 2-1 in the 90 minutes.

After this I got a quick word with Ciana Rogers from Bay Estate and Natalie Lamont from Kilkerley who were looking extremely well who said the team are good enough to win and were sure they will.

Not too long later I met up with Clare Ward and Michelle Condron both from Redbarns Road who just said ‘it has to be Ireland, doesn’t it?’

Making my way through the crowds I got a word with Barry Lynch from Stabannon and Sinead Woods from Annagassan who just wanted us to win by the single goal and who could blame them?

Finally, before I departed I got talking to my old mate Rosemary Coleman from Blackrock and Teresa Mackin from Lordship who were just in and weren’t sure where they’d be cheering on the Boys In Green, but cheer them on they would!

A great start to the match which we were excellent in the first half, after their two goals and the sending off it was an uphill struggle from there on, still, a fantastic campaign and now we have to switch our allegiance to Iceland, I suppose?