Taoiseach Bertie Ahern promised today that Ireland would celebrate anyway no matter what the result of the crucial World Cup game against Spain.
The Spanish side are favourites to beat Ireland in the second round and progress to the quarter-finals, and Ahern said the national team had already done the country proud.
"Whatever happens, we in Ireland believe in celebrating things," Ahern told Sky television.
"We've qualified unbeaten, here we are in the last 16 in the world with a country of under four million. We're very proud of that."
He said the whole of the country would be watching the game. "The team out there are doing their very best. Whatever happens I am very proud of the team."
Ahern, a keen football supporter, said it was a pity Ireland's inspirational midfielder Roy Keane was not playing today after being kicked out of the squad just before the finals following criticism of manager Mick McCarthy.
However, the Taoiseach would not be drawn on whether Keane should have been sent home.
AFP