Miles away from the ugly scenes of Marseille and on another planet in terms of togetherness and sheer joy.
Ireland kick off their Euro 2016 campaign this evening with their Pool E encounter with Sweden, in Paris.
Martin O’Neill’s men will be striving to get off to a winning start to give them the best possible chance of reaching the knock-out stages. They will not be short on effort and they will not go wanting for passionate, raucous support.
Hordes of Irish fans descended on Paris over the weekend and instantly made themselves at home. And by ‘home’ we mean at one giant lock-in in the city of lights.
The Irish at it again ?? we found kolo #COYBIG #BANTER #bestfansintheworld pic.twitter.com/zOKdNUoFYx
— Paddy (@UnitedRise) June 12, 2016
When they were not finding a ‘Kolo’ for their chants or taking part in massive Rock the Boat antics at Montmarte, they were cheering on bin trucks and hooting at tour buses.
Irish fans greet tour bus on Boulevard de Clichy. #coybig pic.twitter.com/dEqnN2LA5E
— Jonathan C (@jncon1) June 12, 2016
One of the most heartening aspects of the revelry must be the way Irish and Swedish fans have mingled so well together.
Both sets of fans gathered at the Parisian ‘Fan Zone’ to catch that day’s football action and, once there, they engaged in trading songs, jerseys and hugs.
Great to see.
