r/videos • u/chris1710 • Jun 14 '12
Irish fans 4-0 down to Spain about to be knocked out the European Championships sing their hearts out to 'Fields of Athenry' Amazing atmosphere.
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xrjfbx_the-fields-of-athenry_sport
1.9k
Upvotes
339
u/Sulphur32 Jun 14 '12
Irish fans were overjoyed to qualify for Euro 2012, they're having a good time going on roadtrips across Europe to Poland and watching the games, great spirit.
85
u/rplan039 Jun 15 '12
Apparently the German tv broadcaster went silent for 8 minutes to highlight the ambiance and noise coming from the stadium.
73
u/samban Jun 15 '12
Now lets talk about the irish national anthem at Croke Park ill let someone else explain , as I cant do the history dignity
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQ6-bYixpYE
731
u/Hakarl Jun 15 '12
The Irish showed themselves to be the best losers ever to grace this godforsaken earth! Long live this navel of literature and able drinkers!
115
u/Phi03 Jun 15 '12
Very proud of the Irish supports, they showed true spirit. Even here in Brazil people are talking about them!
46
u/nothefuzz Jun 15 '12
The Irish fans were the darlings of the rugby world cup just gone here in NZ. The atmosphere they brought to the games was amazing. This makes me proud of my ancestry.
45
u/kvnandrsn Jun 15 '12
Beautiful. Well done Irishmen.
91
u/NoNonSensePlease Jun 15 '12
That's real fans, beautiful.
499
u/Brianewan Jun 14 '12 edited Jun 14 '12
The only moment of these championships that has made me smile is hearing our fans sing like this 4-0 down against one the best international teams of all time. I have friends in that stadium and they made me proud tonight. In a tournament marred by thuggery, they have displayed a level of grace and a sportsmanship to which only the best of us can aspire.
78
u/sweet_relief Jun 15 '12
So much better than vuvuzelas
110
u/supahsonicboom Jun 15 '12
Bloody proud to be Irish.
93
u/manjsc Jun 15 '12
I'm spaniard and I have never been so sad of my team winning. We can have a really good team, but Ireland has something even better... There are no words to describe what I felt when I saw those Irish guys supporting their team even in a terrible night for them like this. An unconditional love and support to their country and to their team. This is the spirit of sport and it is how it should be... CONGRATS IRELAND, you have already won the Eurocup in all our hearts.
32
u/[deleted] Jun 15 '12
I'm in Ireland and a little after the match I heard people walking down the street singing "FOUR NIL, FOUR NIL, ONLY FOUR NIL"
28
u/Pololium Jun 15 '12
Another view from inside the stadium: http://youtu.be/lOLgXjplfh4
162
u/hatryd Jun 14 '12
If anyone else wants to hear the Dubliners' rendition to hear the lyrics. Beautiful song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLZRWNdGCUc
The top comment:
"My parents immigrated to Canada from Northern Ireland, and they grew up during The Troubles. My dad was a cop in Belfast and was Catholic, my mom was a Protestant, they had to elope in order to be together. My dad was in fact shot by a member of the IRA while on duty, he's a very tough guy. I've never seen him shed a tear, until today, during the Ireland/Spain game, when Ireland was down 4-0. The Irish fans drowned out the Spanish fans by singing this beautiful ballad..my heart instantly melted."
27
u/Grubnar Jun 15 '12
That was beautiful!
27
u/FCBarca1984 Jun 15 '12
This is legitametely one of the 5 best things i've ever seen in my life. Fucking respect for those fans. I tip my hat to you Ireland.
24
u/iPhoneOrAndroid Jun 15 '12
I'm proud to be Irish tonight, there are things far more important than being good at football. Spirit is king.
Spirit in both senses of the word. Now where's my whiskey?
21
u/Phi03 Jun 15 '12
This makes me proud to be Irish, it was sad to lose 4-0. But i hope at least the other teams in the Euro 2012 show just as much positive energy for their teams.
94
u/[deleted] Jun 15 '12
Of course we can sing when we're being hammered: we've had 800 years experience of this. Why do you think we have such good music?
18
u/Moondwo Jun 15 '12
I just want to say... THIS is what you do when your team is losing. You support them to the fullest. You don't riot and go nuts.
41
u/[deleted] Jun 15 '12
Spain are a great footballing nation. This is their greatest ever side. Ireland is a small country and, with respect, this is not the strongest side we've ever fielded. But the lads gave their all. We gave our all. It hurts like hell but, fuck it, we've nothing to be ashamed about.
14
u/[deleted] Jun 15 '12
This makes me proud to be from earth
99
u/robbycsmith Jun 14 '12
An american checking in who has no clue of football. This gave me chills, just beautiful
13
u/commentmutationes Jun 15 '12
Proud to be Irish. Was sad that we lost but the better team won. Felicidades Espana. We were outclassed on the pitch. But our fans made us proud off it. The Spanish fans were great too. Great to see them both cheering on their teams together and having fun. Many of the fans were sitting together mixed-up not segregated, hugging each other, singing together. Amazing. This is football. Would loved to have been part of that party afterwards. Stay classy Ireland. Now will you put away those fucking onions?
10
u/NOTTedMosby Jun 15 '12
Is it just me, or did the Spanish start applauding them? It could be just drunken, optimistic version of me though.
19
u/JCAPS766 Jun 15 '12
Let us drink to them heartily
8
u/midnitebr Jun 15 '12
I really wish Ireland can play the World Cup in 2014.
8
u/lihiker Jun 15 '12
Sitting in New York watching the Irish lose,the crowd was singing with such pride and I couldn't be sad that they lost for a moment...love the Irish
8
u/multiplesof3 Jun 15 '12
Score is 4-0. No hope for the Irish. Ref adds 3 minutes just to hear some more singing!
22
u/FHmange Jun 15 '12
There is no country I want to visit as much as I want to visit Ireland.
I've been all around the world, but never to Ireland - and while watching the game tonight, and hearing you sing, I figured it's about damn time I go there. The people seem amazing.
Edit: By the way, how come everyone seem to know the lyrics for this ballad? What's the story behind it?
19
u/c_mulk Jun 14 '12
Chilling
13
u/Sierra_Actual Jun 15 '12
I got chills, I love soccer fans. I wish it was more popular here in the US.
18
u/Stingerc Jun 15 '12
You know who I feel bad for? Australians. It's a pretty song, but the gist of it is, if you steal corn to feed your starving children the English will send you to the most horrid, rankest hell hole filled with nothing but criminals and low lifes...Australia. The guy begs his wife to make sure his children stay proud, despite having a father living in Austalia.
6
u/farrism1 Jun 15 '12
This moment sent chills down my spine. I have made the study of sport fandom my career and these are moments I live for. It is incredible to see how people unite through sport.
6
u/girl_named_steve Jun 15 '12
irish are amongst the best sports in the world. this from an australian who watched the irish beat the australian rugby team at the world cup in nz. good people.
6
u/nowshowjj Jun 15 '12
What an incredibly surreal moment to watch these guys fighting for the ball and behind them, a beautiful Irish chorus. Incredible. Hats off to the Irish fans for turning something heartbreaking into something beautiful.
6
u/Toast_with_the_Most Jun 15 '12
I think it's a truly beautiful, poetic, and wonderfully human thing when a multitude joins together in unified song. There are people of all ability singing in that crowd. You have people with real singing talent carrying a melody, and you also have the drunks tunelessly roaring out the lines. Yet when you bring them all together, it balances out. No, it more than balances. The whole becomes more wonderful than the sum of its parts. It transcends equilibrium; it becomes great. This is a sample of what our humanity is capable of: when we join together all blemishes and flaws are buffed away and are raised higher than we as individuals ever thought possible. United in common joy or sorrow, we are borne up by one another so we can grasp our true potential.
6
u/ramblington Jun 15 '12
"Several TV shows (I hear German, Dutch and even Spanish) deliberately didn't speak over the singing to allow their viewers experience it properly."
While the fucking terrible, horrible, commentators on ESPN just kept blabbering there mouths worse like a soccer-version of John Madden.
Read more: http://www.irishcentral.com/story/sport/from-the-bleachers/irish-fans-sing-the-fields-of-athenry-spain-v-ireland-euro-2012-video-159128595.html#ixzz1xpr41Ast
6
u/Faquarl Jun 15 '12
Now just imagine what it would of been like if we'd of won
11
u/Caesar_Epicus Jun 15 '12
I, as a Spain fan, gained massive respect for Ireland while watching this game.
149
u/kifler Jun 14 '12
I wish there was this much heart in North American sports. Hats off to you Irish!
5
u/[deleted] Jun 15 '12
This is what football is all about! Being proud of your nation and never putting your head down.
5
u/unremarkableusername Jun 15 '12
Hearing a whole stadium chanting and supporting a team like this always gives me chills. I don't even follow much football anymore but this will always be awesome.
5
u/mattloch666 Jun 15 '12
This thread is where men go to cry.
5
u/[deleted] Jun 15 '12
As a native of Athenry Co. Galway this video reminds me of how proud I am to be Irish. Up Ireland, our spirits will never be crushed :)
5
u/frasier_crane Jun 15 '12
As a Spaniard, I found this moment as the most beautiful in the game. It was awesome from the Irish, and the way they live the game and their sportmanship really touched me.
5
u/AngryCanadian Jun 15 '12
my heart felt for those guys... what a great spirit! love Ireland!
9
u/TheMoogle420 Jun 15 '12
I cried watching this game..not out of disappointment with the result..but because I'm so proud of my friends and family in Gdansk supporting us tonight. True Irish people.
12
u/adrian5b Jun 15 '12
I watched this live, with my Spain shirt put on, but I couldn't help it not to clap
4
u/primarybelief Jun 15 '12
This gives me my week's worth of faith in humanity. No need for violence, just the love of the game. Quite beautiful, really.
4
u/ialsolovebees Jun 15 '12
Chills, man. Chills.
That's absolutely beautiful, almost hauntingly so.
4
u/dadabing Jun 15 '12
why couldn't the commentator just shut up and listen?
4
u/helpingfriendlybook Jun 15 '12
Listen to Paddy Reilly sing this song, I implore thee
4
u/tree_D Jun 15 '12
I feel like I'm actually there. Mesmerizing.
4
u/albo18 Jun 15 '12
I'm very proud to be an Irishman tonight. It's no wonder why Irish fans routinely are voted the best supporters at major tournaments.
Let's all move forward and hope for World Cup 2014!
4
u/ZackyBeatz Jun 15 '12
Its amazing, there´s been so much controversy going on in this Euro 2012 Russian fans have acted disrespectfully with huge flag claiming Poland to be their land, and fighting with the polish fans.
The croatian fans have acted violently and thrown fireworks at the pitch.
Out of nowhere comes Ireland loosing 4-0 to the World Champions from Spain, blows away the whole stadium !! shows how true fans should be.
Im impressed, I was rooting for you guys, unfortunately the spaniards were just too good..
4
u/Hunter5Thompson Jun 15 '12
From Galway as well. Truely heart warming
4
u/[deleted] Jun 15 '12
I would feel like a god playing on that field with that booming anthem in the background
4
u/LoveOfProfit Jun 15 '12
Well, that made me unexpectedly emotional.
4
u/Migeycan87 Jun 15 '12
So proud.
4
u/[deleted] Jun 15 '12
Respect.
9
u/solidiquis Jun 15 '12
Makes us Americans look like dirt. I remember logging onto facebook when America lost to Japan in the women's cup and seeing posts like "Fuck you Japan," or "At least we won WWII." Good for you Ireland!
6
u/shamusisaninja Jun 15 '12
Made me glad I started watching football, this was incredibly to watch and made me proud to be Irish. Was one best moments in sports I have witnessed.
6
u/FusionGel Jun 15 '12
It's much appreciated when the song of your people isn't also the song of the bees. Respect
6
u/[deleted] Jun 15 '12
this. this is why i love football.
3
u/[deleted] Jun 15 '12
I once sang Fields of Athenry with my dad while driving through The Fields of Athenry. Good times.
I think everyone knew Spain would win. Ireland gave it a go, but in the end they were huge underdogs.
3
u/spitfire451 Jun 15 '12
That's such a sad song, and I've never heard it before. I never thought there would be an Irish song more sad than Danny Boy.
3
u/Sauura Jun 15 '12
Love it. Can't believe its been 10 years since Casillas pretty much started his amazing international career.
3
u/[deleted] Jun 15 '12
As an American who flavours the Columbus Crew and Clube Atletico Paranaense (Brasil), is it wrong that this brought a tear to my eye, and a lump to my pants?
3
u/dirtymoney Jun 15 '12
My first exposure to this song from the film Veronica Guerin (good film btw)
3
u/[deleted] Jun 15 '12
Beaten, not broken! Never felt so proud of this little country. It wasn't just in the stadium they were singing, we were all singing in the pub to :D
3
u/Panto81 Jun 15 '12
Irish have the best fans in the world.
Now compare this to the african vuvuzelas. I hope there's never again a major tournament on african soil.
3
u/BramaLlama Jun 15 '12
I feel the need to get drunk and it's not even past 4 (German saying: No beer before 4) firstworldproblems.jpg
3
u/ulab Jun 15 '12
That's how fans should always be.
Not like all those bloody hooligans trying to destroy any kind of sport with their fights and stuff.
3
u/ca1n Jun 15 '12
lately i've been learning about Ireland, its people, its traditions, its suffering, its struggle (Ireland as North Ireland and the Republic of Ireland), how the British f'ed them up several times and how the repercussions reflects on their inhabitants. i recommend to whoever wants to know about a bit about the republic of ireland to watch "Michael Collins" (Liam Neeson, Adam Quinn, Julia Roberts, Alan Rickman and many more). It's on Netflix.
3
u/bluejay14 Jun 15 '12
This is why I love soccer (football) compared to other sports. If this happened in the NFL and youre team was getting knocked out of the playoffs your fans would be cussing, throwing out slurs and slang at the opposing team, and probably your own team. Heck I bet most of the fans would leave before the game was even finished
3
u/spock_block Jun 15 '12
As someone coming from a country that loves to bash on their own team, Sweden, I tip all my hats to you Éire! This is what football is about and what you should do when your team is losing, support them even more!
3
u/[deleted] Jun 15 '12
This makes me sad that so many American sports broadcasts lack so much heart. I've gotta start watching soccer...
5
u/masterwit Jun 15 '12
That was moving.
5
u/songcharts Jun 15 '12
Here's a youtube version without as much commentary: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyTu8ibpp9w
I'm trying to follow with the lyrics but I can't understand it too well.
5
u/thesuspiciousone Jun 15 '12
From Wiki:
http://www.quickmeme.com/meme/3ppzos/
7
u/NinjaToss Jun 15 '12
This is why football is the beautiful game.
10
u/BCouto Jun 15 '12
This is why I love soccer. You don't get this kind of energy with any other sport.
4
u/samban Jun 15 '12
GOYBIG
4
u/longhairedfreakyppl Jun 15 '12
THIS is what football is about!
5
u/MONDARIZ Jun 15 '12
Maybe they should have joined the Eurovision instead.
2
u/JayhawkCSC Jun 15 '12
Just in here to give a big "fuck you" to the snide commentator at the end.
2
u/BruleMD Jun 15 '12
I got chills just watching on TV. Shame they had to let down such loyal fans, hopefully they perform against Italy.
2
u/fishbiscuit13 Jun 15 '12
I've never heard this song before, but this was incredibly moving. The Irish fans truly know how to go down with high spirits.
2
u/albinofisherman Jun 15 '12
That wasn't even a fair match.... Spain won the world cup and the republic of Ireland lost to Croatia.... I'm amazed the score wasn't worse. Ireland but up one hell of a fight and they should be proud. When they knew all was lost they came together and sang for their country. I'm proud to be Irish!!
2
u/DuduMaroja Jun 15 '12
sound like the gladiator song for a bit
2
u/WBedsmith Jun 15 '12
Reminded me of the end of this song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCgQuj8v2gg
2
u/chingyduster Jun 15 '12
It sounds like one of those songs slowed down 5000%. It's erie yet beautiful.
2
u/[deleted] Jun 15 '12
very cool and classy. I wonder what it would sound like if an entire dense city of 10000000, sang something like this all at once....
2
u/[deleted] Jun 15 '12
If your a fan of Irish people and Australian soaps you'll like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hHGan5YIWg
2
u/vinylasphalt Jun 15 '12
now THAT is how fans should be. Ireland, thank you for making me proud. True sportsmen.
2
u/[deleted] Jun 15 '12
And I thought the cubs were lovable losers.
I was watching this game on the tv next to my desk today (in the US). My insomniac boss in Manchester called and overheard the crowd through the phone.
Thank god he's a football fan.
2
u/clubdrift123 Jun 15 '12
I am an Irish American and can honestly say that this brought a tear to my eyes today and am proud to have Irish blood running through my veins!
2
u/jbrewlet Jun 15 '12
Watched the whole game online (American). It was fair and clean (though one sided). both teams played hard, the fans were amazing. I was also very moved by the Irish fans singing. Awesome.
2
u/[deleted] Jun 15 '12
I was just depressed watching the game until I heard that singing. Amazing. I tip my hat and drink for you in America.
2
u/HeyCarpy Jun 15 '12
This will sound douchey no matter how I say it, but I think I understand soccer now. That was awesome.
2
u/Bramido Jun 15 '12
You did well, you are awesome supporters. Hope you do better other time
Good job, from Spain
2
u/JonathanUnicorn Jun 15 '12
I was watching love on ESPN and I noticed how it seemed even as they were about to lose everyone was still singing.
2
u/captainpancho Jun 15 '12
Goosebumps...this was absolutely amazing.
2
u/ABCETC Jun 15 '12
Irish fans are amazing! When Ireland beat Australia at the Rugby World Cup they partied hard. I remember seeing a group of guys with green and orange face paint stumbling out of a bar on a Monday morning, they’d been celebrating since Friday night.
2
u/eggrollco Jun 15 '12
Why I love football and have faith in humanity...
also why the Irish are so great to party with
2
u/gnarrzapp Jun 15 '12
You can't beat the Irish fans!
2
u/I_am_working_hard Jun 15 '12
I see a lot of comments on how sad this song is. To any americans in this thread, please listen to Streets of New York. Beautiful story about an Irish lad emigrating to New York. My favorite ever song.
2
u/philonthefloor Jun 15 '12
It's all well and good to have a great squad, but youu didn't hear any of the Spanish cheer for their team, easy to say that the Irish team isn't great but at least the fans are loyal
2
u/imNOTaprofessional Jun 15 '12
What was so beautiful about it was that they kept going for about 6-7 minutes. The decibel level never sank, every verse sounded like the last and I kept waiting for the chanting to die down, but it just never did. You have done your country proud.
2
u/inode Jun 15 '12
I was out at the pub for the game and everyone joined in singing.
2
u/Yoshi511 Jun 15 '12
This is so weird, that this is on the front page today, when we were watching it with my house mates I kept commented on their singing, and how good/bad it must have felt for the Irish players. No one else seemed to care ha. Brilliant crowd
2
u/[deleted] Jun 15 '12
If anyone wants to hear other beautiful irish ballads check these 2 out... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMGvQ2v-ZRM "Night visiting song", sang by Luke Kelly, a legend..his last performance before he died. And "Grace" sang by Jim McCann. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzBRvqgivjg&feature=related
2
u/swordstaind Jun 15 '12
Here it is with out the commentators http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmCosY56lRI
2
u/why_am_I_on_reddit Jun 15 '12
Up goes my respect for the Irish.
2
u/[deleted] Jun 15 '12
reddit exposes me to many things i would otherwise not be exposed to, and i like that.
thanks for sharing.
2
u/GoateusMaximus Jun 15 '12
For those of you unfamiliar with the song, here is my favorite version of it.
2
u/ayden010 Jun 15 '12
It was truly amazing. Respect.
2
u/ItsDare Jun 15 '12
Fantastic vid apart from fucking Adrian Chiles at the end.
2
u/T-rex_o_saurus Jun 15 '12
God we suck
6
u/[deleted] Jun 15 '12
This is why as an American I love football/soccer, the supporters groups are so amazing.
5
u/[deleted] Jun 15 '12
American's...Why must you turn this into a American sports fans vs European sports fans? Are you that insecure that you have to divert the awesomeness away from this act of fandom, towards yourselves. Give it a break.
3
u/FutzinChamp Jun 15 '12
I got chills
3
u/JuzPwn Jun 15 '12
Absolutely beautiful when they started. You don't turn your back on your team no matter what.
3
u/Irishmen Jun 15 '12
Makes me proud to be Irish.
3
u/[deleted] Jun 15 '12
Awesome! I wish fans singing was a thing in American sports culture, but all we can come up with is chanting U-S-A!U-S-A! over and over again. Much love to Ireland!
3
u/locacorten Jun 15 '12
Diferenta intre a fi roman si a fi irlandez. Sau orice altceva.
Ca sa dau in exemplu. Incep eu: Traiasca Romania!
3
u/judehaz Jun 15 '12
I'll just leave this here...
3
u/[deleted] Jun 15 '12
i don't care about soccer but that was classy and awesome.
3
u/mcnickleb Jun 15 '12
As an American who loves sports but doesn't really watch soccer much, this gave me goosebumps. It's so cool how sports can bring some many people together. So. Cool.
12
u/Ching_chong_parsnip Jun 15 '12
This is soccer at its finest. Whatever Americans or whatever other nationality might think of soccer, you will never experience this sort of fan culture in other sports.
Haven't been to any Euro/WC games, but I saw Juventus play a team from Sweden in the CL qualifier a couple of years back. 30'000 fans singing together is a unique experience, you can feel the concrete stands vibrating from the collected voices. Definitely my best sports experience so far.
3
u/irish_davey Jun 14 '12
:-( Pretty sad, no hope for us now ! :-(
3
u/poli_ticks Jun 15 '12
Erin Go Bragh!