Michael Clifford: Are you supporting our neighbours tonight? 

Will you be cheering for our near neighbours tonight, with whom we have deep cultural and personal ties? Or will you be Italian for a day, hoping against hope that Old Blighty gets her comeuppance once more?

England fans celebrate their side's 2-1 semi-final win against Denmark at Wembley Stadium on Wednesday. Picture: AP /Carl Recine

It’s easy to watch a major soccer tournament when the Republic of Ireland isn’t playing. There are no nerves, no highs or lows, no investment, or noise. There is no watching from behind the couch, afraid we might get found out over the following 90 minutes. The sport can be enjoyed purely for its beauty. What is missing in terms of national fervour is compensated for by enjoying the spectacle in a zen bubble.

That should have been the case for the current Euro 2020. The quality on display, allied to the early stage of evolution of the current Irish team, means it may have turned a little ugly if the Republic was in attendance.