“You don’t have to be Irish to be Irish and, town by town, France is going to feel that and, town by town, France is going to love that.”
Paris was something else. It really was something else.
Euro 2016, France… hell football needed the Irish fans and, by God, they delivered, @ConanDoherty was in Parishttps://t.co/cuHfcgw1h9
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) June 14, 2016
Slowly but surely, the good people of Bordeaux are being invaded by green shirts and, already, they are embracing it with open arms.
There wasn’t the same earth-shaking Irish force felt in the west of France on Wednesday night, not just yet anyway. Hundreds of fans made their way to the beautiful, relaxed, friendly city three nights out from the clash with Belgium but they’ve planted the flag nice and early and the French got excited.
On the same night that the host nation made it two wins from two with victory over Albania, there was a buzz on the narrow, bricked Bordeaux streets and the Irish and French united as one to start the party that went right into the night.
If men and women from Cork weren’t chanting “Allez Les Blues”, locals were in full Athenry mode.
It was yet more beautiful moments as people from all sorts of different nationalities came together to celebrate long into the damp Bordeaux night.
I just can’t get enough
It’s early, people are timid. The French and Irish offer their best handful and they join together to get it started.
Shane Long’s on fire
Hungarians, Belgians and French alike flocked to join in with the chant for this one as sound boomed through the air.
Fields of Athenry
A French favourite obviously.
Stand up for the Boys in Green
“Everybody f**king sit the f**k down!” Have a bit of respect, for God’s sake!
Shoes off for the Boys in Green
This pretty much sums it up. A few good Irish men are feeling merry and, one by one, more and more join in until the street is packed with bouncing fans.
