Our man in a van: The Green Army packs up and moves the party to Lyon

And then there was one.

Some 2,000km later, it’s time to say au revoir to the van, and the last of my travelling party who has to return to work next week.

A man who has driven the length and breadth of France, Shane believes that Christy Moore has done Joxer a serious disservice by not giving him enough credit for being the man who undertook the chore of driving the van all the way to Stuttgart and back.

Yesterday we dropped off the van, and weren’t sorry to see the back of it after navigating the manic streets of Paris once again.

Before setting off from our campsite outside Lille yesterday, we packed our bags and scrubbed the camper to have it in good nick for its return — and thankfully got the seal of approval for the condition in which we left it.

As we didn’t use the on-board facilities for the past fortnight, the clean was fairly straightforward — having only used the van for driving and sleeping, once our bags were packed and out of the way, our toughest task was a scrub of the floor.

Republic of Ireland fans celebrate their team’s historic win against Italy in Lille. Picture: Inpho/James Crombie

As for that night in Lille, what can be said that already hasn’t? From talking to fellow supporters since, the moments following Robbie Brady’s goal are already the stuff of legend. It will go down in the annals of history, one of those “I was there” moments like Munster beating the All Blacks, or the thousands who claim to have seen Arcade Fire at Electric Picnic in 2005.

When that goal went in I ended up three rows down from my original seat in the sweaty embrace of complete strangers, all of us screaming in each others’ faces as if we were trying to convince one and other that yes, this is actually happening.

Strangely enough, the aftermath in Lille was subdued compared to previous nights. A combination of the cumulative effects of two weeks’ partying and the sauna-like conditions under the stadium’s closed roof took its toll on everyone, and the euphoria gave way to a mellow contentment as supporters filed out of Stade Pierre-Mauroy.

As someone based here for the past two weeks, it has been interesting to read some of the slightly negative reaction in the press and on social media to the overwhelmingly positive coverage the Irish supporters have gotten here.

While there are some who contrive to be the next viral star on a ‘banter’ website — and those smartphone-wielding try-hards are plentiful — the vast majority of supporters are here to cheer on their team.

The reaction of the majority here to the over-the-top antics of a minority speaks volumes, but is something that doesn’t get clicks or go viral. When you’re in the midst of it, you see the overall attitude, respect, and inclusiveness championed by the Irish that doesn’t lend itself to click-bait headlines but is the reason why the French reaction to our participation in Euro 2016 has been overwhelmingly positive.

Musician Richy Sheehy, Carrignavar, Co Cork, entertains Republic of Ireland supporters after the victory over Italy in Lille. Picture: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

The Irish supporters are proud of our good reputation, and are a self-policing lot who call out stupidity when they see it.

As for our dynamic duo, last night was our last together before we go our separate ways today, and a night out in Paris was on the cards.

With accommodation in a hostel, I was glad to be sleeping in an actual bed, and not something that converts into a table for daytime use.

Now on to Lyon.

Fans get craic-ing on travel plans and tickets as all roads lead to Lyon

The Irish have had their say on Europe — and many are opting to Remain.

Wednesday night’s hero may have declared that his “head’s not working” in the aftermath of his dramatic winner, but Robbie Brady’s goal has sparked some serious thinking among the travelling supporters who were due to come home sooner than Sunday’s last 16 clash with France.

Supporters have spent the past 24 hours assessing all the variables and calculating the best and most effective way of prolonging their French adventure.

Brian Lawlor from Laois had his head buried in a smartphone at a service station south of Lille yesterday afternoon.

“I’m supposed to be flying home Saturday, I’m in the process of trying to get my flight changed,” he said.

“It looks like there are no flights till Tuesday, so it might be another day off work,” he said, admitting that he had yet to ask for the extra leave.

“I just told them I was going and that I’d be back next week. To be honest, the experience last night just blew me away. I can’t go home now, I just can’t.”

Orla Cudithy, Niall Kinsella, Tomas Talbot, and Donal Ryan from Piltown, Co Kilkenny, ready to continue their journey at Gare de Lille Flandres, Lille. Picture: Inpho/James Crombie

Based in a mobile home in Arcachon, the trip to Lyon will not seem as arduous given the 10-hour drive he endured to Lille.

Corkmen Peter O’Sullivan from Rylane and Richard Reilly from Farran have their driving done, having dropped their campervan back to the rental agency yesterday evening. They were considering their next step having spent the last two weeks in France for the duration of the group stages.

“We couldn’t get tickets to the game in Bordeaux so we just watched it in a pub,” Richard said.

The pair did have tickets to the Italy game, however.

“It was unbelievable. As good as it gets. It’s unreal to watch history. A surreal feeling to be there to beat Italy, there’s a lot of history there,” Peter said.

The pair have flights booked back on Saturday with friends, but plans may change.

One group firmly in the ‘leave’ camp are Kerrymen Sean Carrick, James Fitzgerald, Colin Enright, Niall Foley and John Kennedy, who stepped off their air-conditioned train from Lille into the balmy but bright Parisian evening at Gard du Nord.

After a couple more nights in Paris, their trip is over.

“We’re tempted, we’d stay if we could. Can’t get the time off,” John said.

“And the parents won’t send the money,” Sean added.

Clodagh Barry and Ciara Kiely from Clonmel, Co Tipperary, celebrate the win in Lille. Picture: Inpho/James Crombie

They said their nights in Lille — at both Tír na nÓg and in the Stade Pierre-Mauroy would last long in their memories.

“When the goal went in everyone went mental, I didn’t even know who scored until about ten minutes after it. Everyone was hopping around, grabbing each other, beers thrown up in the air, it was absolutely insane,” John said.

“We were kissing strangers,” Sean said.

Conor, Joe and Paul Clarke, and Anthony McGuinness from Dublin along with Irvine Ferris from Meath were figuring out their next moves over dinner at Cafe Paris du Nord.

“We had nothing booked to go home, just in case,” Paul said.

“We just got a call there, so we should have tickets,” Joe said. “I just squared the time off from work, as long as I’m back for Tuesday,” he added.

“Whether his mind is there or not, his body will be,” Paul quipped.

They too were there for Brady’s moment of magic.

“I’ve never experienced anything like it,” Conor said.

They were among the thousands who stayed well beyond the final whistle to serenade the team - a gesture they felt was appreciated by the team who applauded the support they received from the boys and girls in green.

“It’s not too often you see that in modern football, the connection between the fans and the players,” Paul said.

“The days of five hundred grand a week and driving around in Lamborghinis, those days are gone,” he said.