With the country now in the grip of World Cup hysteria many Irish optimists are dreaming of seeing Steve Staunton lifting the World cup trophy in Yokohama on June 30th.
For the team, however, it will take a lot more than the prayers, hopes and dreams of a nation if they are to lift the trophy designed by Italian artist Silvio Gazzanigia. Just to get to the final Ireland will first, have to overcome Spain, who are joint second favourites, on Sunday.
Italy - the other second favourites at 4/1 - would probably await the boys in green in a quarter final in Gwangju, a game that will be played in the sapping heat and humidity of a Korean mid-afternoon. Italy have a tricky last 16 match against joint hosts, South Korea, who knocked out one of the pre-tournament favourites, Portugal, earlier today.
If Italy wasn’t enough, Ireland would most likely meet a revenge-seeking Germany in the semi-final. The Germans however, would have to overcome Mexico - themselves seeking revenge for defeat to the Germans in 1998 - in their quarter final.
Germany are 9/1 to win the Tournament, while Mexico are 22/1. Ireland are at 50/1 to be victorious in Yokohama, 9/4 to reach the quarterfinal stage, 8/1 to reach the semi-final and 18/1 to reach the final.
The other side of the draw sees some teams that might be mistaken as the lesser of the big guns. Brazil (big guns) are favourites at 9/4, followed by an under performing England at 11/2. England’s opponents tomorrow morning, Denmark, are rated by the bookies at 28/1. For the other semi-final place on that side of the draw pick on of Sweden (22/1), co-hosts Japan (25/1), conquers of France, Senegal (33/1) and Turkey, who are 40/1.
Ireland’s odds of 50/1 seem hardly generous considering their probable route to Yokohama. But then, winning the World Cup isn’t supposed to be easy, is it? Try saying that to Brazil.