LATE SUNLIGHT was slanting through the trees surrounding City Hall in Belfast yesterday evening as about 200 people gathered around the big screen to watch Ireland’s opening Euro 2012 clash against Croatia.
The screen was erected outside city hall last year, in the run-up to the London Olympic and Paralympic Games later this summer, and there are plans to show all the Euro 2012 group-stage matches featuring Ireland and England.
It was a fairly laid-back crowd, made up mostly of teenagers and young families, many of whom had brought picnics. One Indian family had a lavish selection of food from Marks Spencer, while others made do with a takeaway from the nearby Burger King outlet.
Alcohol was forbidden at the event, and the ban was strictly enforced – private security guards escorted a few sheepish fans to the bin to relieve themselves of the cans of Guinness they had smuggled in.
National flags, however, were allowed, and there was a scattering of green shirts among the viewers, as well as the odd green, white and orange-striped hat.
After Croatia’s goal in the second minute of the game, the crowd was mute, but Sean St Ledger’s header had an energising effect, and many fans leaped to their feet to urge Ireland on.
That optimism was short-lived, however, and when Croatia’s Nikica Jelavic scored before half-time, a few plastic Coke bottles were launched in the direction of the screen – to a chorus of boos.
Despite the downbeat mood, local men John Mullan and Michael McCormick were impressed with the event.
“It’s a lovely evening, and it’s really good to see all the families out watching the match – something a bit different for Belfast,” said Mr McCormick.
“Yes, surprisingly peaceful for Belfast,” quipped Mr Mullan.
Sandra Green, an English tourist, also expressed surprise. “I didn’t think Belfast would be like this – people sitting on the grass in the sun watching the football. It’s just like home, like a mini-London,” she said.
The Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast, Sinn Féin’s Tierna Cunningham, was at the screening too, wheeling a baby buggy.
“It’s a great novelty, a great atmosphere,” she said. “I just wish the score was going our way – and that the weather was a bit warmer.”
By the time the final whistle blew on Ireland’s 3-1 defeat, the crowd had dwindled to a few diehard fans and the sunny, optimistic mood at the start of the match had given way to disappointment in the chilly Belfast twilight.