Donegal kicks off World Cup craic as beautiful game scores on TV
PUBS and hotels across Donegal were united as the long-awaited soccer World Cup’s kick-off finally netted extra profits over the weekend.
Punters supporting Mexico at the tournament’s opening match on Thursday whooped as the co-hosts won 2-0 in a match that had three red cards.
That opening match attracted crowds to bars across Donegal, with staff at Warehouse in Letterkenny telling the Donegal News that the tournament has already created a fun atmosphere.
World Cup fans enjoying the match at Warehouse in Letterkenny on last night (Saturday).
A Warehouse bar crew member told the Donegal News: “There was great craic between a few different groups that were watching the match here.
“Some of them had money on Mexico to win. We’re expecting more fans now that the first matches have started and fans from all countries are welcome.”
A spokesperson at another hugely popular Letterkenny bar, Sister Sara’s, said: “The football keeps coming. Fans can catch all the live action on our screens and the pints will be flowing and there’s always a great atmosphere when the big games are on.”
The fixtures continued over the weekend with tournament co-hosts Canada drawing 1-1 with Bosnia, while third co-hosts USA beat Paraguay 4-1.
Many of the group matches are outside of Irish prime time with kick-offs at 11pm, midnight, and 3am not suiting pub hours.
There are five matches scheduled for tomorrow (Monday) at the World Cup, including prime time kick-offs at 5pm for Spain v Cape Verde and at 8pm for Belgium v Egypt.
FIFA World Cup winners 2022 Argentina. Leo Messi lifted the famous trophy.
Meanwhile, despite excitement for the World Cup on telly, only 29 per cent of Irish fans would accept a free trip to a World Cup match in the USA, according to a poll.
A spokesperson for iReach Insights said: “Some 40 per cent would be willing to travel to co-hosts Mexico, while 71 per cent would accept a free trip to the other co-hosts Canada.
“Concerns over politics and past controversies are impacting people’s perceptions. The expensive cost of tickets in the State is the single biggest deterrent.
“Some 74 per cent said they view the World Cup more negatively due to its association with [US president] Donald Trump. This figure rises to 81% among adults aged 25 to 34.”