»Low lie the Fields of Athenry
Where once we watched the small free birds fly
Our love was on the wing
We had dreams and songs to sing
Now it´s so lonely round the fields of Athenry.«

The game between Spain and Ireland was almost over. For 87 minutes, the Irish crew clearly communicated they were the worst team of EURO 2012. Spain was beating them senseless and leading 4-0.

For 87 minutes, the Irish fans had to suffer helplessly watching their team. It was so bad, you could even hear some of the Spanish fans support their team. Normally, that’s impossible when you have more than 1 Irish fan in the stand. The fans were in utter shock and disbelief. Until that moment.

»By lonely prison wall
I heard a young man calling
Nothing matters Mary when you´re free
Against the famine and the crown
I rebelled the cut me down
Now you must raise our child with dignity«

A small tornado, who knows who started it. A song amplified through thousands of alcohol-fueled voices. “The Field of Athenry”, a song about the Irish starvation period from 1846 to 1849. A classic, sung by Irish fans, or supporters of Celtic Glasgow and FC Liverpool.

And the best part? The commentator didn’t say a word. He just succumbed to the moment. You must be dead inside if you don’t get goose bumps experiencing this moment.

»Low lie the Fields of Athenry
Where once we watched the small free birds fly
Our love was on the wing
We had dreams and songs to sing
Now it´s so lonely round the fields of Athenry.«

For a moment, the soccer world forgot about rivalries, raciscm and even goals. For a moment, we were all Irish.

Thank you!