Boys in red 'Support works' message gets through . . . to the Polish fans

"Support works" was one of the messages Irish team sponsor 3 flashed on billboards at the Aviva on Wednesday night as the team…

"Support works" was one of the messages Irish team sponsor 3 flashed on billboards at the Aviva on Wednesday night as the team beat Poland.

3 has played its part in supporting the Irish team since taking over the sponsorship, and the 30,000-plus Polish fans in the stadium did their best to encourage the away side.

The FAI might have been clever in arranging a game against a team with a strong immigrant population, but it also highlighted the association's failure to sell the match to Irish fans. An own goal if ever there was one.

Ciarán Hancock

Ciarán Hancock

Ciarán Hancock is Business Editor of The Irish Times