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06 Sept 2025
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06 Sept 2025
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Who should Irish fans support in Euro 2024 final? We've found a GAA link to a Spain player
The Euro 2024 final takes place this weekend and in the absence of the Republic of Ireland at the tournament, Irish fans face the prospect of supporting England or Spain in the decider.
Ireland last competed in a major tournament at Euro 2016 when we lost out to France in the round of 16 so even if we'd made it, making the final may have been out of reach. Since then, Irish football has been in the doldrums and we now must pin our hopes on World Cup qualification in 2026 under new manager Heimer Hallgrimsson.
So, do we support our neighbours England in the final or do we get onboard the Viva Espana bandwagon? Most Irish fans will be swerving England and we've only gone and found a link to Ireland in the Spanish ranks.
Spain
Spain have impressed during this tournament and their captain just so happens to be a big GAA head - sort of! Recent Champions League winner with Real Madrid, Dani Carvajal has been on the sidelines at a GAA match.
No joke! Back in 2016, he was spotted at a GAA match in Kerry. Apparently, his partner at the time was studying in Ireland and he was over visiting. We reckon he'd have been a tasty Gaelic footballer if he hadn't caught the soccer bug on the continent!
Good to see you in Killorglin @DaniCarvajal92 ! pic.twitter.com/5vd94TZ1Ys
— Joe (@WZRD_JOE) May 22, 2016
The other option is the often controversial call to support England despite our difficult history. Many Irish fans already support English Premier League teams containing many of the players in Gareth Southgate's squad, and yet most fans will avoid cheering on the Three Lions at all costs.
One of their star players, Declan Rice, has even played for Ireland, and was capped at senior level, before making the switch to England. He has since moved from West Ham to Arsenal at club level and is a star player in the Premier League. His grandparents are from Cork. Harry Kane too has Irish links through his Galway father.
Can we bring ourselves to cheer for them though?
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