The Girls in Green will return home to a hero’s welcome at the GPO in Dublin tonight – but are we overdoing the celebrations?
The Irish team made history by qualifying for the World Cup for the first time in history and have inspired people up and down the country with their battling performances Down Under.
In the end though, they come home with one point and one goal – having lost to both Australia and Canada.
Reporting for Moncrieff this afternoon, Newstalk’s Henry McKean asked people in Dublin if Irish people are too quick to celebrate mediocrity.
He began by noting that he happily jumped on the Girls in Green bandwagon during the tournament and is proud of everything they achieved – but wanted to find out if people think we are overdoing it with a celebration in the city centre.
The first person he spoke to made no secret of his dislike for women’s football.
“I don’t think there’s that much interest to be quite honest,” he said.
“I think it is being pushed by the business associations and politicians as well – you know, get them spending their money.
“It doesn’t matter if we won the ludo competition down in Cork or something – we are celebrating for very little reason I have to say now. I am very sceptical I have to say.”
There is a reception for #COYGIG at the GPO but are we right to celebrate when we didn’t progress? Some supporters are saying it’s tokenistic celebrating a mediocre result? Or is just making it to the #WWC2023 a huge achievement? Your thoughts? @SeanMoncrieff @NewstalkFM 2pm pic.twitter.com/rc6acUyC1Z
— Henry McKean (@HenryMcKean) August 3, 2023
Many other people in the city, however, were delighted to see the girls get the recognition they deserve.
“Of course they should be celebrating,” said one man. “I mean, first of all, football is for fun and to enjoy.
“I have to say the first game when they were playing Australia, without the penalty they would have really got there. So, they were very close and they were brilliant at playing as well.”
“Just getting into the World Cup was an achievement in itself,” said another.
“I don’t think it is necessarily being average getting to the World Cup because they had to qualify, which wasn’t easy, and they put in some good performances so I think it is right to celebrate.”
There is a reception for #COYGIG at the GPO but are we right to celebrate when we didn’t progress? Some supporters are saying it’s tokenistic celebrating a mediocre result? Or is just making it to the #WWC2023 a huge achievement? Your thoughts? @SeanMoncrieff @NewstalkFM 2pm pic.twitter.com/WeV5bEEkrV
— Henry McKean (@HenryMcKean) August 3, 2023
Henry also visited Ireland star Abbie Larkin’s home town of Ringsend where there is still plenty of bunting, flags and decorations.
He learned that the 18-year-old Shamrock Rovers forward now has her own song, set to the classic Irish tune, the Ringsend Rose.
“Oh, I think it’s fantastic,” said one man.
“It was history in the making. First time ever in the World Cup and we have every right to celebrate.
“I think it lifted the country something else. I mean the men’s team haven’t been near a World Cup for 21 years so we had something to cheer about.
“Our own girl Abbie Larkin, she was fantastic and she has a brilliant future ahead of her. I think she’ll probably go to Man Utd or Real Madrid or somewhere now.”
There were those, however, who were hoping for a more low-key celebration.
“Maybe a smaller celebration than on the streets,” said one man. “They shouldn’t be parading down the streets because they didn’t actually win.
“Something low-key – but some encouragement for the next time.”
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