'They never saw Italia 90': Irish fans descend on Prague full of hope

(Front, left to right) Republic of Ireland soccer fans Tim Murphy and Jamie Noonan with (back, left to right) Mike Goggin, Michael Deasy, Shane Foley, and Noel Noonan at Cork Airport before boarding their flight to Prague for the World Cup play-off match against Czechia. Picture: Larry Cummins

Thousands of Irish football supporters are descending on Prague as the Boys in Green chase a first World Cup appearance since 2002.

Troy Parrott’s dramatic 96th‑minute winner away to Hungary last November kept Ireland’s dream alive of reaching next summer’s tournament in the US, Canada, and Mexico.

On Thursday evening, Heimir Hallgrimsson’s side face Czechia in a make‑or‑break World Cup play‑off semi‑final.

On Wednesday, Cork Airport was awash with Irish supporters departing for Prague, full of excitement, nerves, and hopeful of victory.

Michael Deasy, who lives in Carrigtwohill and is a referee in the Munster Senior League, said the anticipation for the Czechia clash is sky high.

(Left to right) Republic of Ireland soccer fans Ger Walsh, Alan Morrissey and Henry Roberts, from Kilkenny hope to be amongst the 'cats that get the cream' in Prague. Picture: Larry Cummins

“There are young people in the airport today and they never saw Italia 90. They never experienced what we experienced when we were their age. So hopefully they can get a bit of a taste for it this time around.

“Ireland deserves to be in a major tournament. The crowd that we bring with us and the atmosphere is incredible.” 

Republic of Ireland soccer fans Michelle and Jamie Massey with sons Cian and Shay at Cork Airport ahead of their flight to Prague. Picture: Larry Cummins

Dave O’Connell, part of a travelling group from Douglas Hall AFC, admitted they are heading to Czechia without match tickets. 

However, he said there was nowhere they would rather be than Prague, hoping to soak up the atmosphere and, with a bit of luck, watch Ireland claim a victory.

“It should be great craic. Hopefully they can get the job done and bring it back to Dublin for the final on Tuesday. I think this team does deserve to get to the World Cup.” 

O’Connell says the team unites the nation like no other sporting team in the country.

“There is no better sport to bring people together and the country together. Everyone still remembers Italia 90, all the great things that happened during and after that.

“It has been a long time since we qualified for the World Cup. I think that this team under the new manager has done really well. We need to still believe and drive it on Thursday night.” 

(Front, left to right) Republic of Ireland soccer fans Kilian O'Mahony, Dave O'Connell and Richard O'Brien with (back, left to right) Peter Kelly, Ian Cullinane, Gary O'Shea and Niall Burke at Cork Airport before boarding their flight to Prague. Picture: Larry Cummins

On the ground in Prague since Monday evening is Dáire Coughlan from Bishopstown, who is the head coach of Cork City men’s amputee side.

Coughlan said the sense of anticipation in Prague is already building — and will only intensify as kick‑off draws closer and more Irish supporters pour into the Czech capital.

“The excitement is building. I can only imagine what the next 24 hours is going to be like. We are looking forward to it.

(Left to right) Republic of Ireland soccer fans Damien Kelly and Tim Nix, from Newcastle West, Co Limerick, at Cork Airport before boarding their flight to Prague. Picture: Larry Cummins

“But you can definitely feel there is a bit of a green invasion on its way coming into the city.” 

As someone who regularly attends Ireland away games, Coughlan said he would dearly dearly love to see Ireland line out at a World Cup again.

“Tournament football is where we want to be. The Irish fans are amazing. So we are hoping to bring the sea of green to Mexico and into the US in the summer.”