Ever since Friday night’s results, when Scotland lost in Tblisi and Robbie Keane guided Ireland to victory in Gibraltar, the game against Georgia at the Aviva on Monday night was given added significance.
Victory and Martin O’Neill’s side could take a major step towards the play-offs for next summer’s European Championship in France.
And in a group that looked to be getting out of Ireland’s grasp, that was just what was needed to galvanise players and fans alike.
Or so we thought.
You couldn’t turn on a radio over the past few days without hearing FAI ads for the game with adult tickets available from €25, children’s tickets from €10 and family tickets from €70.
Even O’Neill seemed to have an added spring in his step following Georgia’s win over Scotland as he began, for the first time, to resemble the livewire manager we remember from Celtic and Leicester City.
Well sadly it didn’t do the trick as it seems many weren’t quite so impressed with the 20,000 or so empty seats in the Aviva.
A critical game and the place is empty! pic.twitter.com/E1kONUMRrl
— Paul Kimmage (@PaulKimmage) September 7, 2015
Starting to fear for our Best Fans In The World title #IrlGeo pic.twitter.com/VOV63U7obL
— Richie Sadlier (@RichieSadlier) September 7, 2015
Turnout tonight for #IrlGeo proves the "best fans in the world ©" apparently only apply to a week long piss up in Poland.
— Emmett Keane (@EmmettKeane) September 7, 2015
https://twitter.com/MallowNews/status/640963807209259008
On the plus side of the dismal attendance at #IREvGEO, at least John Delaney will be able to buy everyone a drink after.
— Shane Hegarty (@shanehegarty) September 7, 2015
In defence of the fans who stayed away, it wasn’t their idea for this ‘Week of Football’ which sees what turned out to be a hugely important game played on a Monday night when kids have just gone back to school.
Before the game Tony O’Donoghue on RTE stated that the FAI sold 2,000 tickets over the weekend, and another 1,800 on the day of the game.
After watching Ireland’s display it’s hard to know if they made a wise investment.
