Supporters match passion

The Fans: Mary Hannigan watches the Irish fans get what they wanted - a bit of heart

It was notable on Tuesday that both Steve Staunton and Robbie Keane felt the need to ask the Irish supporters to stick with the team, to get behind them for the game against the Czech Republic, rather than give voice to the fury they might have felt after the nightmare that was Nicosia.

"All I can say is if everybody could get behind us and rally us on it would be a great help to everyone," said the Irish captain, an appeal echoed, more than once, by his manager.

Their nervousness on the issue was apparent; if they hadn't a feel in the immediate aftermath of the Cyprus game for the levels of disgust back home at their capitulation to the supposed minnows, by the eve of the Czech game the message had quite evidently hit home.

And so, if they were anxious about what the Czechs would throw at them last night, their anxiety levels about how the crowd would react to their arrival on the pitch were probably as high.

As it proved, the crowd performed as impressively as the team, proving they're a forgiving lot. But maybe the team just went some way to atoning for the sins of Nicosia.

All week the players promised they would make it up to the supporters, give them something to shout about, and they did. And that's the thing; all these supporters really demand is a bit of pride, a bit of passion, and a clear enough sign that the players actually care about it all. After Cyprus they began to wonder.

Even before they had a chance to prove their worth, the players were roared onto the pitch, a deafening din filling the old ground as the two teams emerged. No boos, no whistles, no jeers - the players responded with relieved applause.

Lee Carsley's first tackle, of the crunching variety, which led to a Czech free-kick, was greeted by all 35,000 souls (well, bar the Czech contingent) as if Ireland had scored. "Gerrinto them!" seemed to be Carsley's approach for the evening, and the crowd approved.

But if the Everton midfielder's return was warmly welcomed, the arrival on the senior international scene of Paul McShane had them swooning, not least when he beat Jan Koller - Jan Koller! - in the air.

Steve Staunton said, when he announced that the Wicklow man would make his debut against the Czechs, that he could prove to be the next Richard Dunne or Mick McCarthy. There were spells in the first half in particular when you half wondered if you were looking at the new Paul McGrath.

When the public announcer revealed him to be the man of the match, the decibel levels suggested all approved of the decision.

And so heartened did the crowd appear to be by the performance they were witnessing, more than a few rousing renditions of "Stand up for the boys in green" rang around the ground.

Cripes, it was almost like the old days.

Except it's not. There's a bumpy old road to be travelled yet. But at least the team gave the supporters what they promised last night - a bit of heart.