Rathcairn: deep in the heart of Co Meath. The gathering: to watch the biggest match of the summer ... so far.
And not a thought given to the irony that here in the shadows of GAA's royalty, in one of the East's few Gaeltachts, all tools had been downed to watch Ireland play Saudi Arabia in the foreign game's biggest festival.
It was a thirsty band that came together ' about 150 of them having had a hard morning's toil in the field. For today was not just the day that McCarthy's braves conquered the sons of the House of Saud. It was Scoil Uí Ghramhnaigh's sports day.
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Overjoyed, Scoil Uí Ghramhnaigh errupts
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But the young athletes ' ranging from 4 ' 12 in age ' soon forgot who was the egg-and-spoon race junior champion 2002, when Robbie Keane struck in the seventh minute for Ireland.
They collected in the school hall, sporting mandatory hats, shirts and face paint. These were Ireland fans alright ' and judging from the level of noise they generated before the match had even started ' they seemed pretty hardcore too.
Chants of "Eire, Eire" were belted out to the pounding rhythm of a bodhrán. "Keano, Keano" was soon to follow.
Ireland looked nervy in the first half despite their lead. But the Rathcairn crowd was having none of it. These fans were South Terrace disciples, maintaining a volume and atmosphere that bodes well for Ireland's future as the best-supported team in the world.
But they weren't taking anything for granted. Maolíosa Ní Mhuiright (11) reckoned there was element of luck in Keane's strike. "Ceapaim go raibh a t-ádh orainn go bhfuair Keane an cúl," arsa Maolíosa.
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Love of the Irish football team is blind
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At half time, when so many around Ireland ' and elsewhere ' were heading for the bar, these Celtic cubs headed for the yard to relive the glory moment of the first half while it was still fresh in the memory. When the time came for múinteóir Brenda to call them in for the second half, the playground cleared in less than 30 seconds ' surely a record.
It's true to say that not all those in attendance were particularly interested. In the back corner of the hall, some practised sliding tackles and Klinsman dives. Others played with toys on the play-mat, which was also the scene of crowd trouble when fans clashed over who was the strongest.
There was no need, however, for baton charges and tear gas - nor even a stern word from an múinteóir - because just as the crowd started getting restless, Gary Breen scored Ireland's second. There was no time for scrapping now, there was singing to be done. Again "Eire, Eire". "We're on the March with Micko's Army" also found favour. There was even a short burst of "Are You Watching Roy Keane?" from within the anonymity of the throng.
With Germany leading Cameroon in the other game meaning Ireland's qualification for the last 16 was virtually assured, the atmosphere had already turned to celebration when Duff hit Ireland's third. The benches had been largely vacated as clutches of best friends congregated in various parts of the hall to sing, dance and meet up with those who had been stationed elsewhere for the past 90 minutes.
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Flying the flag
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The final whistle went and it was not just the fans that were delighted. Múinteoir Brenda had been carried away, if not altogether surprised, with the atmosphere. "Bhí an-spraoi ag na paistí inniú ... Chruthaigh siad atmaisféar iontach agus chuir siad go mór leis an gcluiche domsa."
The Príomhide of Scoil Uí Ghramhnaigh, Ms Mairéad Ní Cheallaigh was also delighted with her pupils' performance and said she was confident going into the game that her team would deliver. "Thuig na páistí go díreach céard a theastaigh"
Around the world today, many will surely be reminiscing about USA 94, when Ireland last qualified for the last 16 of a World Cup. Many of these fans weren't born then.
Today in Japan the Irish team gave birth to one of those special childhood memories. In the words of Ms Ní Cheallaigh: "Is Lá álainn stairiúl dóibh é agus ní dhéanfaidh siad dearmad ar Chorn Dhomhanda 2002."