Ireland’s comprehensive defeat to Croatia on Sunday night has punctured the optimism that had developed around the team in the weeks and months leading up to the tournament.
The estimated 25,000 fans that have travelled to Poland have spent their money and will be there for the duration but while on and off trade sales of alcohol will have been high this weekend around the opening match there is a fear that the defeat will persuade more to watch in a less ebullient and lower spending mood for the remaining two games.
The FAI would have hoped for a major lift in overall support and confidence coming off the back of a good tournament and may now struggle to sell the season tickets for the 2012/13 season at the Aviva Stadium which are currently being promoted at prices from €159.
The break of a ball or a stronger performance against Spain on Thursday night could restore the feel good factor but this is the first major tournament that ireland has lost it’s opening game in and Monday morning has less of an Olé, Olé feel than was the case 24 hours earlier.
All four previous major tournaments have got off to a strong start with a win and a draw against England in ’88 and ’90, victory over Italy in ’94 and a draw against Cameroon in ’02.
Defeat for the Irish Rugby team in New Zealand will also have done little to stem the dawn of reality after a sporting weekend that promised much but delivered less than hoped for.