Just worth stating at how impressed I was with the atmosphere at the ground on Saturday. (Being taken out by Kinkladse's trolley in the airport was the other highlight.) The last home game I had been to was the dismal Switzerland match but I thought it was spot on. Appreciate that Kerr is in the honeymoon period and we got a 'scabby' winner against Albania but someone in the FAI Marketing Dept has done something worthwhile....... For those who were not there - the changes were: The crowd have been urged to get there early and to have a full stadium when the teams walk on (that was the first time I have got there in time to sing the National Athem in years and for once the place looked full when they kicked off!!) Everyone has been urged by Kerr particulary to wear their Ireland shirts al la 'Sea of Green'. Those Green Card things to be held up when the teams come on at the start and at half time. It was pretty impressive!! (They also had some instructions on the back and the words to a range of chants including "Wheres me Duffer" to the tune of "Wheres me jumper"....strange one I know. Massive Green and White Flags behind the goal like in Serie A matches... Eircom Supporters Area - Nice touch this - very similar to the singing area in the Stretford End at Old Trafford. Bascially full of die hard Eircom supporters who never stopped singing or chanting - got the rest of us going. Music on the tannoy system: Again very simlar to Parkhead - You'll never walk alone was sung with the crowd just before kick off. nice touch. Fields of Athenry started the second half off. When a goal was scored they played that Dj Otzi dodgy number.... The only downer fo me was 'Brush Shields' at half time....he was meant to 'lead' the crowd into song but he could massacre any lyric!!! I am sure this will all help the team on Sept 6th... Closey
I was at both games and I must say I thought the atmoshpere at the Georgia game was the better of the two. I put that down to a combination of it being an evening kick off, which allows the crowd to down a few post-work pints beforehand, and the display. It was much easier to be vocal on Wednesday when the team was playing so well and bossing the game. All in all though a big improvement on the last competitive home game I was at (Iran in the play off) and light years ahead of what we all heard at the Swiss game. The Russians definitely won't relish facing it.
The atmosphere on wednesday was incredible, you have to say alot is down to the Eircom league fans who did lead the rest on on parts, but it was an amazing atmosphere right from the start.
Glad you agree - the Eircom Fans were spot on - all we need now is a 'stadium' to put them in..... closey