There We Went!

Wednesday, 20th June 2012

So, has the country gotten back to normal or will we spend the rest of what is left of the Summer ruminating over the debacle of what was Ireland's participation in the European Championships. While the football widows and widowers have a couple of weeks left of football dominating practically all forms of media but now that Ireland's involvement is finished we might be able to get back to some semblance of normality. Ireland did not exactly cover itself in glory on the pitches of Europe but didn't we have a good time doing it? Or should that be, not doing it? Of course for diehard fans there will be days, weeks, months and even years of mileage out of the three matches that Ireland played for the rest of the country it was a good and diverting time. It was our very Irish version of vini, vidi, vici. Win or lose we booze. Naturally there have been those who have come out and criticised the Irish fans quite severely for their devil may care attitude but what exactly did everyone expect them to do? Most of the people who made it to the matches had done so at great personal expense, sacrificing their holidays for this year and in a lot of cases for a few years into the future, and so what if the results did not turn out the way that they wanted them? They still enjoyed themselves. What were they supposed to do? Go around in sackcloth and ashes? Or maybe they should have taken a lead out of other countries fans such as the Russians some of whom had the bright idea of starting things early and rioted before one of their matches even took place. In comparison to the behaviour of some countries fans the Irish have been exemplary. In fact the behaviour of the fans of the host countries Poland and the Ukraine really doesn't bear up to much scrutiny at all. The sheer level of racism that was on display was nothing short of gob smacking. If they behaved this way to professional football players there to play in a continent wide tournament just imagine what their behaviour is like towards minorities within their own countries? Of course we have heard of persistent attacks on Gay Rights marches but what must it be like for others? Like the Eurovision contest in Azerbaijan far from being a big PR coup for these countries events such as these really are now beginning to shine a light on just how far behind the rest of Europe they are. Of course local customs and morals are exactly that, local, but when you are putting yourself forward as being part of a progressive Europe where all are considered equal then you do deserve to be judged when citizens of your country start up monkey chants when they see black players on the football pitch. Of course there is a lot to be got out of Euro 2012, Ireland might not have gotten very far but as with so much in life its the journey and not the destination and that being said, didn't we have fun doing it?