Kevin Doyle: Waterford? Kilkenny? John O'Shea Supports Whoever's Doing Well!
Spirits were high in the Irish camp, and thankfully so, considering the grim injury list heading into this week's pivotal 2018 World Cup qualifier against Wales.
Kevin Doyle was accused of having a "sly dig" by Irish team-mate John O'Shea after accusing him of being a fair-weather GAA fan.
Wexford native Doyle was reminiscing about his trips to Croke Park supporting the Yellowbellies when he recalled the time he played at GAA HQ with the Boys in Green against Wales.
"Everyone was just...a good positive atmosphere, first game in Croke Park, it all went off well. We were all, well I'm sure you were, I was", Doyle said turning to O'Shea.
"You grew up going to Croke Park watching Wexford play. Or Waterford play, or Kilkenny...who do you?" Doyle laughed at O'Shea.
"Whoever's doing well John supports!"
"Sly dig, huh?!", retorted the Sunderland skipper, suddenly feeling the need to explain his county allegiances.
"Me Dad's a Kilkenny man, that's the way I grew up you know! When I was old enough meself then I'm a Waterford man."
Doyle chuckled and continued.
"I was proud to play at the time because my mother played there when she was young and it was just nice to be able to follow that."
The game against our Celtic cousins, played on March 24 2007 while Lansdowne Road was being redeveloped, is remembered for a couple of reasons.
A month after the monumental Six Nations match between Ireland and England, was staged on Jones' Road, the Boys in Green made history playing the first soccer game there.
Stephen Ireland en route to scoring the crucial winner past Daniel Coyne in 2007 as a more hirsute looking James Collins watches on - ©INPHO/Tom Honan
An under-pressure Steve Staunton saw his side claim a 1-0 win, thanks to a goal from Stephen Ireland (remember him?!), against John Toshack's side which included a teenage Gareth Bale at full-back as well as Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs.
Alas, the Irish team would finish third in the group in that Euro 2008 campaign, one which Stan would not even see out to the finish as he was sacked following a draw against Cyprus in October.
Aiden McGeady is the only other member of the current squad that was around for the game ten years ago which O'Shea had trouble remembering!
"I just remember thankfully the win and obviously it was a historic occasion too.
"Obviously you remember the victory for us but also the time the rugby, the time when they played England too. It was very historic so to be part of that was very special as well."