Only 12% of Irish people will be backing England in Euro 24, a poll has found. 

With neither the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland in the tournament, BoyleSport surveyed 1,000 people, asking them who they hoped would win.

93% said they would not support anyone or were hoping for a team other than England to win. 

Speaking to Lunchtime Live, Aidan McCarthy from Medium.com set out his reasons for supporting Gareth Southgate’s side. 

“I myself like his team, want to support him and hope they do well,” he said. 

“Maybe it’s because of the Irish connection; you’ve got the likes of Harry Kane and Declan Rice - those players have strong Irish roots. 

“The quality of their team is unbelievable; I don’t think they’ve ever had such quality in their side and I’m just excited to see them play and I hope they do well.” 

Harry Kane.

Mr McCarthy admitted hearing It’s Coming Home played again and again can be “insufferable” but added that Ireland has “more in common with the English than any other nation” in Euro 24.  

“I think we need to be bigger than that and not hold any grudges,” he said.

Not all Lunchtime Live callers agreed with one listener, Jackie, insisting there is “not a chance” of him supporting England. 

“I feel more connected to Scotland out of all the nations there - [what] with the Celtic heritage,” he said. 

“I agree it’s more parochial; you’re not going to somebody living on a border with another county - like Donegal and Derry - you’re not going to get many Donegal fans shouting for Derry or vice versa. 

“It’s just a parochial thing.” 

He added that would much rather Ireland had made it through. 

“With Ireland not here, I’ve no real interest in it,” he said. 

“I find it hard to watch football unless Ireland or Celtic are playing.”

Not another 1966

Another listener, Alan, said he was a Scotland fan who hoped to avoid a repeat of England 1966 World Cup victory. 

“There’s not a chance that I would be supporting England,” he said. 

“I’m absolutely sick of having 1966 brought up and it wouldn't matter which two teams in the world were playing, they would always find a reason to make an English comment about 1966. 

“We just feel it’s rammed down our throat at every opportunity.” 

England’s first match is against Serbia on Sunday.

Main image: England fans from the Kirby estate in London watch England vs Colombia. Picture by: Alamy.com