THE SPIRIT of the 30 Irish fans who jumped into the canal just before the final whistle couldn’t be dampened even after accepting defeat in the opening game of Euro 2012 at George’s Dock.
Happy in anticipation and happy in defeat, there was no silencing the green army fans as they danced in the shallow water.
Croatia were slightly better than even money with Paddy Power, but that didn’t matter to the more than 5,000 supporters who descended on the dock in the sunshine yesterday.
To the dismay of many of the fans, the clash between Italy and Spain wasn’t televised on the 60m square screen; instead, DJ Phil Cawley gave away spot prizes and played party pleasers before the main event.
Donal Kelleher and his wife Judith from the apartment block across the road didn’t stay to watch the match on the screen; they only came to enjoy the atmosphere before kick-off.
“You can’t see the screen from the apartment, but you can certainly hear it,” he said. “We are just here to soak up the atmosphere. I’ll happily watch it from the comfort of my living room. Hopefully it doesn’t get too rowdy.”
Aspiring international footballers kicked numerous inflatable balls into the water, while younger children let go of their helium balloons.
Craig Lawless (21), who came from Straffan, Co Kildare, to watch the match, managed to miss two penalty attempts at one of the amusements, resurrecting memories of when he missed in a real football final.
“I was so close too; I’m calling for goal line technology. I think Fifa should really investigate if the second one actually crossed the line to be fair. I remember missing one in a school final as well, not a good memory,” he said.
Chinese whispers of a group of Croatians were passed among the Ireland supporters, but they were nowhere to be seen come kick-off.
Jessica Holmes (22) from Terenure and Aimee Smart (22) from Kimmage, draped in green, were in the VIP section.
“It’s such a good atmosphere, there are loads of people here, it’s going to be such a good night,” said Holmes before going to meet some friends in the free section.
The mood was jubilant when word got through that Cesc Fabregas had equalised for Spain.
Fans were muttering that Ireland could top the group, never mind qualify. As a trip down memory lane, Put ’em Under Pressure was played; many of the young supporters weren’t even born when that song was last on the top of everyone’s lips in 1990.