Ireland v England - Victory for sport, sanity and unity

WHEN the joint Garda and Army No 1 Bands played God Save the Queen on Saturday, several thousand supporters joined in, without a boo, a catcall, or a derisory whistle from a crowd of more than 80,000 people.

Following the hospitable respect that was shown for the British national anthem, one sensed that the Irish people in the crowd were never more proud of being Irish.

They demonstrated this with a passionate rendition of Amhrán na bhFiann that brought tears to the eyes of a number of the players, and will never be forgotten by those who witnessed the occasion.

Irish spectators have distinguished themselves around the globe for their sportsmanship in recent decades, and nobody should have been surprised that they did so again over the weekend in Dublin, but there was always the danger that a handful of louts might seek to destroy the spectacle.

The much-hyped protest outside Croke Park fizzled into insignificance, and the objectors were exposed as little more than a recalcitrant rump representing only themselves.

The occasion was a victory for sport, for sanity, and most of all, for co-operation between Irish people. Many individuals deserved credit for their contribution to what was great symbolic occasion.

Former GAA president Seán Kelly and the members of the association deserved credit for having the vision to back the idea; President Mary MacAleese was eloquent and rational in her appeal to fans, and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern made an invaluable contribution by his personal support and by the investment of the prestige and authority of his office.

The fact that Ireland enjoyed a record victory in the match was a fitting climax, because it was a great day to be Irish.