Mayo man has been with the Boys in Green since Stuttgart in '88

Thousands of Irish supporters are embarking on a journey to Prague this week for one of the most anticipated Republic of Ireland fixtures in years.

The Boys in Green are gearing up to take on the Czech Republic (Czechia) in a play-off semi-final to keep their World Cup qualification hopes alive. If Heimir Hallgrímsson’s side defeat Czechia this Thursday, a home fixture against either Denmark or North Macedonia awaits for a place at this summer’s tournament in North America.

The most passionate of fans are arriving in the Czech capital by plane, train and automobile - with or without a match ticket - as the sounds of ‘Olé, Olé, Olé’ will echo through the streets of central Europe.

Amongst the 1,000 lucky ticket holders for the away section of the Fortuna Arena is Mayo man, Padraic Kennedy, along with his son, Conor.

Padraic, a Charlestown native, began his journey to Prague on Monday, flying from Ireland West Airport to Manchester, where the pair stayed the night before travelling towards Prague on Tuesday.

These travels are far from abnormal for Padraic, as he spoke about the rare accolade of attending every major tournament that the Boys in Green have qualified for.

“My first ever trip abroad was when a friend and I travelled to ‘Euro 88, where we got to see Ray Houghton put the ball in the England net in Stuttgart,” Padraic reminisced. “I still remember the moment he scored the goal. I was probably the slowest to react in the grounds, as this wasn’t meant to happen on paper. It was something else!” 

Padraic went on to describe Houghton's goal in Ireland's 1-0 victory over England as the stand-out highlight, “by quite a distance”, in his 38-year journey following the Boys in Green.

Travel itineraries followed for Italia ‘90, USA ‘94, the 2002 World Cup, Euro 2012 and Euro 2016, as Padraic built long-lasting relationships along the way.

“It’s the camaraderie and the friendships that make these trips; the Irish will also look out for one another.”

Looking back through the years, Padraic spoke about a Charlestown-inspired Irish flag, which was unfortunately stolen in Orlando in 1994, and he also has his say on the infamous Saipan saga in 2002.

“I thought the whole thing [Roy Keane and Mick McCarthy fall out] should have been dealt with way better,” Padraic said. “Egos took over. It took up a lot of pre-match discussions while we were in Japan. I thought it was a wind-up when I heard the news over there; it was like a civil war at the time. Some were on McCarthy’s side, and others on Keane’s side. At the end of the day, the biggest loser was the Irish team, as we didn’t have one of the best midfielders in the world.” 

Twenty-four years on, Ireland are trying to qualify for another World Cup, and Padraic hopes this Thursday can be a catalyst to carry the Boys in Green over the line.

“If this game came straight after last November’s incredible window, we’d have the momentum. I think we will be under pressure against the Czechs. Troy Parrott being in form is fantastic for us, but losing Evan Ferguson and Josh Cullen through injury is disappointing.

“I wanted to bring my son, as he will remember this trip for the rest of his life, if we qualify. Hopefully, we can come out of Prague with a win and then look forward to a play-off final in Dublin.”