2020 vision: Ireland scores Euro win

International glory may have evaded us in recent years but regardless of how our Boys in Green perform, Ireland will be part of football’s biggest competition in 2020.

Dublin is among 13 cities chosen to host matches for the Euro 2020 Championships, with three group games and one last-16 match headed for the Aviva Stadium in a sporting spectacular estimated to be worth upwards of €50m.

And it won’t be just Dublin that gets a piece of the action as there will be fanzones in Cork and other locations with big screens, entertainment, food courts, and other facilities.

FAI chief executive John Delaney was in Geneva yesterday to hear the host cities announced.

“The plan is for fanzones around the country, not just Dublin. They will be in Cork and Galway and all other major cities. My own city where I was born, Waterford, as well. Because this should be a national celebration,” Delaney said.

The news was also welcomed by Fáilte Ireland, the Irish Hotels Federation, and Dublin Chamber of Commerce, which said the event could put €50m-€100m into the economy.