Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I join Senators in congratulating the Irish soccer team on a fabulous performance last night. It is fair to say that we on these islands are not blessed with the most gifted of footballers, but they are gifted with heart and determination. They showed that in abundance last night. In discussing bravery, we should also mention the team management of Martin O'Neill and Roy Keane. They made brave decisions with their team selection. While they were heroes at full time, they were within five minutes of being pilloried by the media today. It was a thin line and they deserve compliments.

The real winners are the supporters. Pictures of their smiling faces beaming across our television screens last night were a joy to behold. The manner in which supporters from the Republic and the North have conducted themselves has been a credit to them. I listened to the French ambassador on a radio station this morning. He mentioned the headlines that the fans were making. He stated that, if there were a cup for the best supporters, it could be handed to the Irish people now. We can feel very proud of this. They are a credit to the nation. The mayors of Paris, Bordeaux and Lille have all discussed the way in which the Irish have conducted themselves. The supporters deserve credit. The joy and satisfaction that the team and supporters have given us have lifted the nation. This shows the power of sport, what it can do, how it can strengthen people and the joy that it can give. My son was lucky enough to be in the stadium last night. He told me that everywhere he looked, people were hugging and smiling at complete strangers. It was a super experience for those who were fortune enough to enjoy it.

For a small nation, we punch above our weight in sport. Every euro that the nation spends on sport is worth twice as much to us. This weekend, we will have the joy of watching Northern Ireland playing Wales on Saturday and the Republic playing France on Sunday. I hope that we will get joy after the Henri handball, which I am sure has been mentioned several times.