The fans in the jammed Windjammer were in a relaxed and optimistic mood as the Republic of Ireland’s game against the Saudis kicked off this afternoon.
The pub, on Dublin’s Pearse St, has become a focal point for escapees from city offices over the last ten days. They happily sit side-by-side with the hardcore of loyal, old-school fans who have long since made the Windjammer their local.
There was a lot of encouraging bodhrán beating and chanting as the match started with everyone urging on the "boys in green" and promising that the Saudis would "never beat the Irish".
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It didn’t take long before the crowd was beside itself shouting "Keano, Keano, Keano", as the boy Robbie put Ireland ahead in the eighth minute.
The crowd remained positive up to half-time although tension was clearly mounting, with some fans preferring concentration to conversation.
It became clear soon after the restart that it was going to be "a game of two halves" as the football cliche would have it. The Saudis were suddenly dire, the Germans were on top against the Cameroons, and then up popped Gary Breen to score a second goal to put Ireland in the comfort zone.
Christopher Wood, a regular at the Windjammer, was very positive from the outset and showed himself to be an astute observer of the beautiful game: "We feel like winners, on top of the world" he said. It’s going to be 3-1 or 4-1".
At half-time he stood by his prediction. "We’re grand, we’re saving ourselves for the second half. They’re going to bring on Quinn now and that’ll make all the difference."
Bob Murphy from Co Wexford, said it was going to be 2-0: "That’s what they’re going for, that’s what they’re going to get". He was very pleased to be proved wrong. "That was brilliant! We kicked the stuffing out of them".
"I missed the goal because I was next door in the canteen of Citibank. I heard all the shouting and I ran downstairs to the nearest TV but by the time I got there it was over", said Janice Keenan from Rathcoole who strolled into the Windjammer at half time.
She said she had a wager on Ireland beating the Saudis by three goals to one and believed Robbie would score two and Damien Duff would score while trying to set up Keano.
Only Kieran Geoghegan, was feeling nervous at the beginning of the match, although he still predicted a 4-0 Ireland win. While he was happy with the final result, Kieran was convinced Ireland should have finished off with a 6-0 result.
Another Windjammer regular, Tony, was delighted his boss gave him the day off to enjoy such an occasion. "Hopefully we can do it, 3-0". He was spot on. "What can I say, I can’t thank my boss enough. I can’t wait for Spain, maybe we’ll get lucky and get a goal".
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Seamus O’Brien had predicted a 3-1 scoreline but didn’t mind being wrong either: "Shay Given was brilliant, and the rest of the team were fabulous".
"The match was the best ever" said Sabrina Kelly. "We’re going all the way. There is no turning back now."
Rory O’Connor from East Wall said "it was great to be Irish" adding that he was "very proud to be Irish".
Starting the day with a quick dip at Dollymount Strand with his two boys, Calvin(10), and Cody(4) was Mixer Ryan from Kilbarrack. "It was freezing but we’re into that kind of stuff". His children watched the first match between Denmark and France and "loved it to bits."
Windjammer barman Cathal McFely was voted man of the match by his work colleagues for his tireless work on the left hand side of the bar.
He admits however to not being a big fan of soccer but thought the atmosphere during the game was brilliant. The 45 year-old Donegal man said he wouldn’t be working for the next game but he expected his Donegal neighbour, Ireland goalkeeper, Shay Given to keep putting in good performances.
Predictably, a chant of "you’ll never beat the Irish" started as the game ended. Maybe the chant should be modified to reflect the fact that we occasionally win games too.
Spain or South Africa next Sunday? Who knows. But these fans have already begun to look forward to their weekend.