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

'We are hoping to bring the sea of green to Mexico and into the US in the summer'

(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.