Last ‘here we go’ for Corkman at Euro 2016 before he says ‘I do’

While the tens of thousands of Irish here in Bordeaux are focussed on this afternoon’s crucial clash with Belgium, one group of fans was brought here by a match-up of a different kind.

Diarmuid McGrath’s impending nuptials were the inspiration for his mates to come en masse to the Euros for his stag weekend.

The Bishopstown native was sharing pints outside the Connemara Irish bar with fellow Corkmen Patrick Kenneally and John Hennessey and Killarney’s Ciaran Brosnan after Italy’s win over Sweden.

The groom-to-be is confident of our chances tonight.

“I’d say we’ll win it alright, we’ll get there in the end,” he said.

The gang are in Bordeaux for a long weekend, and while they’re not following the team around France for the group stages, Diarmuid is sorted for a precious ticket for tonight.

“We arranged it around this match. Vegas was the original destination but that changed,” he said.

“One of the lads sorted me out for a ticket, it’s great. The lads all pulled together, all this costs money, and it’s nice that they did that.

“I’ve never been to an international tournament before, this is my first experience.”

With a long weekend of partying ahead before he returns to his adopted home of London, it’s just as well Diarmuid’s wedding isn’t until September, so he’ll have plenty of time to recover.

“Hopefully there’ll be no facial injuries or scars or anything like that,” he joked.

While the stag weekend was long planned, one supporter was surprised to be in Bordeaux instead of watching the game from her home in Fermanagh.

“I’m not supposed to be here at all, my brother was supposed to be here but he couldn’t make it,” said Aine Bermingham.

“I only found out a few days ago that I was coming. Booked it at the last minute. The accommodation was already booked so I just booked my flights.”

Her brother Oisín is over for the Italy game too, and fancies Ireland to get some sort of result today.

“We need a win after the opening game. I could see it ending up as a draw but after seeing the way Belgium played in their first game I fancy our chances,” he said.

Aine was more cautious in her assessment.

“I think Belgium will come out fighting after their first game, so I think they’re going to be on form and will do everything they can, so we’ll need to do the same,” she said.

Tipperary men Bernard O’Brien, from the Glen of Aherlow, and David Halpin, from Tipperary town, watched yesterday’s game unfold on the big screen upstairs in the Connemara.

“We’re up against it now really,” said Bernard. “I think the full back positions are the key. If Coleman and Brady can get forward they can cause a bit of trouble, hopefully we can knick a goal and hold on.”

“I think it could be a one all draw,” David said.

“If Johnny Walters doesn’t play maybe bring in McClean because last time against Sweden, on the right hand side, you saw Olsson coming down the wing. We need someone there to cover that.

“Hopefully Hoolohan will play again because we need him.”

Meanwhile, there was little open-air revelry yesterday, as frequent torrential showers kept fans under canopies and parasols. While the Connemara had every nook and cranny packed from early on, many other Irish took to cafe bars and pubs around Bordeaux’s central Place Pey Berland to take in yesterday’s games.