The football? No-one seems to be really interested.
The trumpet? Apparently met with a few boos initially but most are just indifferent to it already.
Magnusson’s free kick? Grand. But who really cares? We’re not playing again until June.
No, the big issue of Tuesday night at the Aviva was the Viking Clap. Or the Thunderclap. Or the Icelandic Clap. Whatever you want to call it.
#WhatOddsPaddy Ireland fans to mimic the Iceland clap in the first 10 minutes?
— Thomas Cave (@TommyCave97) March 28, 2017
There was a very, very surreal atmosphere around Lansdowne Road for the visit of the Icelandic outfit – the sort of atmosphere that could only come about three months out from the next meaningful fixture. The sort which wasn’t helped in truth by the omission of the like of Daryl Horgan and Callum O’Dowda from the starting team.
There were plenty of empty seats around the stadium as Martin O’Neill fielded a 4-4-2 and let Kevin Doyle and Jonny Hayes have further chances to put their hands up ahead of the next major tournament – if we get there.
It was an underwhelming first half from the Irish who went in at the break 1-0 down to the opposition having failed to really threaten them at all.
And, in the absence of rapturous chants or constant songs, or anything on the pitch that might excite anyone in the stands, the Irish fans turned to an old favourite that is steeped in rich Celtic tradition dating way back to the summer of 2016. That old favourite was the Icelandic Thunderclap which they did in unison with the away support but it did not go down well.
History.
https://twitter.com/MallowNews/status/846799829254782984
Avert your eyes.
Ah no. The Irish crowd are doing the Viking thunder clap against Iceland. Cringe #IREvICE
— Dara Brady (@darabrady8) March 28, 2017
It’s not THAT bad, is it?
https://twitter.com/harryjaremi/status/846800045567610880
RIP football.
Ireland fans join Icelanders in a Viking clap. The game is gone. Gone.
— Daithí Ó Donnghaile (@YeSecondPost) March 28, 2017
No excuses.
"B-B-but it's the VIKING CLAP!" Yeah I don't see crowds from New Zealand reciting the Haka 3 times in one half.
— Corumlinvirus (@Crumlin_Village) March 28, 2017
Please make it stop.
That's the 5th time Irish fans have done the thunder clap in 30 mins. The cringe is real down here #IREvICE
— Gav Lacey (@GavLacey) March 28, 2017
Identity crisis.
Mexican wave, Icelandic thunder clap, English brass band….what a day to be an Irish fan. #COYBIG #unitednations#meltingpot
— Matthew Dolan (@BowieDolan) March 28, 2017
Just… why?
Why are the Irish fans doing the Icelandic clap? 🤔
— Lauren 🦈 (@LaurenWBA) March 28, 2017
It’s not right.
Irish fans trying the Icelandic clap would be like the Icelandic fans trying an Irish jig. Just not able! #roivice #IREvICE
— Thomas (@thomasoc2012) March 28, 2017
But then others were getting pissed off because they feel like the ones who have been robbed.
Lots of folk seem to think the "Viking Clap" originated in Iceland. Irish (and lots of other) fans doing it years before Iceland #IREvICE
— Karl Waters (@detlin808) March 28, 2017
The anger is real.
Any Irish fan who joins in on the Icelandic clap tonight deserves to be escorted from the Aviva and mickey slapped.
— Johnny Cooper (@JohnnyCooper91) March 28, 2017
He’s said it.
Iceland clap shit is probably worse than them fuckin trumpets
— Robbie (@RobbieRyan10) March 28, 2017
