Poznan, where the Irish fans are Polish

Brothers in arms, Polish and Irish stood side by side to watch our sides bow out gracefully.

Linked by failure, Irish wore red, to the surprise and delight of thousands of Polish fans who marched to the city to watch Ireland’s second favourite team.

Tears were shed. Admittedly drunken tears, but tears nonetheless.

Countless Polish fans expressed their joy and genuine, heartfelt gratitude that so many Irish had made the effort to dress in the red and white to support their team. It was that kind of a night.

Although both Poland and Ireland are out of the tournament, there can be no city in Poland partying like Poznan. It has been a non-stop two weeks and revellers are determined that Ireland’s last game will be yet another night to remember.

Spare a thought for the barmaids, some of whom seem to be working around the clock.

Although the Irish are gaining a reputation for legendary tipping here, one table server admitted she has been falling asleep on her feet for the past two weeks.

At least the bar staff are being paid to fall asleep on the feet. Irish fans are paying more for such a misfortune.

One lady very much on her feet was the most famous Italian lady in Ireland, Manuela Spinelli, Trap’s translator, who was playing keepy-uppy outside The Dubliner pub in Poznan.

Although she admitted it would be good to be playing in higher spirits given how results have gone, she took the time to praise the fans.

“It has been a wonderful experience. It would have been a happier one had we different results but we are going to go for it against Italy. Everyone just wants to get playing. It was just so incredible to see a sea of green in all the stadiums. Even my friends have been texting me to say the Irish have been brilliant,” she said.

Even though early in the day, the beer was still flowing in Poznan. Kinsale man Declan Delaney was sunning himself with some mates by the fountain on the Old Square. Still going strong, the boys had cans in hand and were singing the praises of the Polish people.

“The party has just been unreal. They’ve just been great to us. They’ve taken us to their hearts which is lovely. We met Polish lads who were crying last night because the Irish would be leaving. They were genuinely emotional,” he said.

On a serious note, the fountain boys felt the team owe fans a performance. Fans have put in a fortnight of partying and all they want is 90 minutes in return.

“They owe us a performance, they really do. There has been such a party atmosphere and surely we can get a decent game out of them before we head home.”

We’re out on our feet, but we have a habit of doing over the Italians.