Own goal by ITV commentator

I was dismayed by comments made by ITV commentator Clive Tyldesley during the Ireland vs England game, carried live on the station last Wednesday night.

During the coverage, the camera switched to the crowd several times, showing footage of Irish fans. On one such occasion, Mr Tyldesley noted that the Irish fans were “having a good time tonight”, before adding: “They probably have a good time every night.”

Given the significance of the game in terms of mending relations from the sides’ most recent encounter, this was disappointing. What exactly did Mr Tyldesley mean by this statement? Why does he think Irish people have a good time every night? It must be noted the remark was set against a backdrop of another offensive observation from the him last summer. After Ireland’s defeat to Spain in the European Championships, Mr Tyldesley said: “They’re happy drunks, the Irish.”