A football and jersey signed by all the Irish players and brought back from Japan after the Germany game was the main talking point in the Strand Bar in Strandhill, Co Sligo, as supporters packed in for yesterday's match.
"People can't believe it when they see them first, but we have the pictures to prove they're genuine," explained co-owner of the bar Mr Neil Byrne.
Locked in a glass case, the ball and jersey were brought home by bar-worker Ms Yvonne McEnroe, on Thursday.
She and her husband Mick stayed in the New Otani Hotel, where the team was staying on Wednesday night, a happy coincidence organised by her husband's company.
"The atmosphere when the team got back was fantastic. There was a great sing-song - Damian Duff's brother was playing the guitar. There was a good crowd of Irish about; there were 60 people who won tickets from the National Lottery staying there as well," Yvonne explained.
She had watched the Germany game in a marquee at the back of the hotel surrounded by locals who had "adopted" the Irish team for the tournament.
"The lads were all fabulous; they had no problem signing the ball for us. I explained it was for my sons, Carl and Ryan. Mick McCarthy signed it first. They were all great."
Staff at the Strand Bar, normally associated with surfing, had planned to dress as Saudis for yesterday's game.
Mr Byrne explained that material had even been bought but during a trial run it was decided that flowing robes didn't suit bar work, so tricolour caps and face paint had to suffice.
Robbie Keane's goal got things off to a perfect start among the crowd positioned around six TVs, including a 55" screen.
But later in the first half, with the Irish playing poorly, even those wearing Viking-style hats were beginning to look at bit deflated.
"This is getting dodgier - one-nil is a dangerous lead. These fellas could score awful easy," was Peter McDonnell's verdict.
Beside him, Michael Keane agreed: "We need half-time more than they do at this stage." But both were still confident Ireland would get the required two-nil victory.
Brenda McCallion and Susan Leonard, both mothers of young children, were delighted to get babysitters at the last minute. "I was in Australia for the last two World Cups, so I was determined to be as much a part of this as I could. You have to get out and get involved," said Susan.
Brenda was among the fans at Italia '90 and both women have played a range of sports including soccer. "You have to be out among people for the matches - it's about being near someone to hug," said Brenda.
At half-time, her six-year-old son, Mark, arrived from school. He had no problem naming his favourite player - "Robbie Keane, because he scored the goal in the last game".