Higgins hopeful ahead of Euro 2012 opener

President Michael D Higgins has called on the Ireland team to do what is necessary in Euro 2012 as they open their championship bid against Croatia.

Mobbed by a 20-strong crowd from west Belfast outside the squad’s hotel in Poznan, the President said he was hopeful of good results.

“I think we’re going to do well. We’re very hopeful. I think much depends on how the game starts in the first 15 minutes, to see the style of the game, the pattern,” he said.

“I imagine there will be some changes. I sent a message to wish the team well and also to the fans.”

The President, a lifelong Galway United supporter and the club president, was presented with an Ireland jersey by manager Giovanni Trapattoni ahead of the game in the Miejski stadium.

After shaking hands with the fans from Belfast and others in the foyer of the Sheraton Hotel Mr Higgins said: “That’s a great bunch of lads out there.

“I wish the team every success and as I said before play strong and do what’s necessary.”

The President opted not to take the Government jet to Poland and flew into Poznan on a commercial flight this morning alongside several hundred Irish fans who sang most of the way.

One of the fans who met the President, Michael Hughes from Ladybrook in Belfast also met Trapattoni at the hotel.

“I saw Marco Tardelli first and then I saw Trap and I went up and said ’I love you’,” he said.

“I asked him for a picture and he came up and I kissed him on the cheek.

“The whole team were around, and we hear Richard Dunne actually moved the entire hotel five yards to the left when he was lifting weights.”

President Higgins is in Poznan for one night and will meet local dignitaries tomorrow before returning to Ireland.

Later, Taoiseach Enda Kenny lent his support.

“It has been a long hard road to get this far and the commitment, dedication and skill shown by everyone involved has been excellent,” he said.

“The fans are already making a huge and positive impact in Poland, while here at home the sense of excitement and pride is wonderful. Everybody is right behind the Boys in Green and we know they will give it their everything. I wish them every success.”