Party time as offices close down for game
Ireland was closed for business this afternoon as the nation watched its football team keep their World Cup dreams alive with a dramatic draw against Germany.
Virtually all companies made arrangements for staff to watch the crucial Group E match in pubs, bars and even staff canteens.
Nearly half of Irish company bosses gave their staff the afternoon off.
The World Cup hopes of Mick McCarthy’s team appeared to be in tatters, as they trailed 1-0 to Germany until the final minute of the match.
But striker Robbie Keane rescued the game in injury time, stunning the Germans.
Most companies allowed staff to work late last night or early this morning so they could finish at lunch time or take an extended break.
Roads across the country were busier than usual early in the day, according to the AA, as fans hurried into work to complete their duties.
The Irish Small and Medium Enterprise group (ISME) said 95% of companies had allowed staff to watch the match and another 44% shut up shop for the entire afternoon.
Chief executive Mark Fielding said: ‘‘Most of the companies insisted before the match that the time was already made up by workers.
‘‘Most companies simply extended the lunch break. Others brought television screens into staff rooms or canteens so everybody could watch the game together.
‘‘I think the same thing will happen when Ireland plays Saudi Arabia next week. It shows how partnership between staff and management can succeed.’’
While the shutters were down and phones ringing out in offices, Dublin’s pubs were thriving.
The Allsports cafe bar in the fashionable Temple Bar district was packed as supporters adorned in green, white and orange mixed with suited businessmen.
Owner Paul Fitzpatrick said the bar was full to capacity with around 400 people. In jubilation at the full time whistle, all drinks were on the house.
‘‘Actually it is busier than many matches that we screen in the evening,’’ Mr Fitzpatrick said.
‘‘We even had to turn people away at one point. This is boom season and serious money has gone through the tills.’’
Robert McGoughan, 29, from the BMS sales and recruitment firm in Dublin, said: ‘‘We are getting time off to watch England versus Argentina on Friday because the company is British-based, so we have been allowed to watch Ireland today.
‘‘It is a good policy as it keeps up morale and also saves anyone from having to pull a sickie or sneak out to watch the game.
‘‘To be honest I don’t think anyone who is at work will really be paying much attention to whatever they are doing.’’
Sipping a bottle of beer he added: ‘‘We have a two pint rule on alcohol so we had better pace ourselves. We are back off to the office when the full time whistle goes.’’
Student Vincent McCarthy, 21, from Swords, Co Dublin, recently finished his exams at the Tallaght Institute of Technology.
He said: ‘‘The timing of the World Cup has worked out perfectly for me. I had my final exam last week and now have the summer off until I start working.’’
Meanwhile, former captain Roy Keane, who was sacked after a row with McCarthy over the squad’s preparations for the tournament, was back in his native Cork today.
The 30-year-old midfielder kept a low profile as he visited his family.
Public and press opinion in Ireland has fallen into line behind the World Cup squad since Keane’s dramatic departure.
Just weeks ago Keane was a national hero. But today the chants of ‘‘Keano’’ ringing through the streets of Dublin were for his namesake Robbie.
