There were cries of “Vamos Argentina” last night as an Irish town saluted the new World Cup champions.
Foxford in Co Mayo has long and robust connections with the South American country as Admiral William Browne, founder of the Argentinian Navy, was born locally.
From the kick-off at 3pm, the town’s five pubs throbbed as a sea of blue and white lapped on to the pavement of the town’s Main Street. Pat Guiry who owns Guiry’s pub with his wife Martha told how the game was “heart-stopping.”
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And he added: “But all’s well that ends well. This is a proud day for the whole community here just as it is for all Argentinians.”
Drinks were half price in Guiry’s for the duration of the game which went to extra time and penalties following the stalemate in normal time.
Guiry’s, next to the River Moy, is normally a magnet for anglers. But since the World Cup quarter finals, as Argentina progressed, patrons have been hooked on football.
The town has its own Admiral Browne Comhaltas group which performed in the newly-refurbished Moy Hotel before the game as did the Foxford Brass and Reed Band which gave a half time presentation.
Appropriately the band played the Argentinian National Anthem and St. Patrick’s Day in the Morning, the anthem of the Argentinian Navy.
Local parish priest, Fr Padraig Costelo, speaking at Sunday Mass in the local St. Michael’s Church, got the town’s “special day” off to a good start by wishing Argentina well in the final.
Margaret Reilly, chairperson of the Admiral Browne Society, was delighted at the turnout. She said: “This was a day, regardless of the result, for the local community to get together and celebrate our cherished links with William Browne’s adopted country.”
Tommy Noone, co-owner with his wife, Maureen, of the Moy Hotel said: “The party looks certain to continue long into the night.
“It’s been busy since we opened but today’s crowds have been absolutely off the scale as regards business.”
Meanwhile, in Donabate, Co Dublin, an Irish relative of World Cup winning hero Alexis Mac Allister last night revealed his pride as Argentina grasped football’s greatest prize and said: “We’re over the moon here, we’re jumping all over the place.”
Cousin Noel McAllister also revealed how plans are under way to bring the star back to his root’s in his native Donabate in Dublin.
And he could not rule out the World Cup trophy making the trip with the Argentine.
Speaking from Beaverstown golf club in Donabate, Alexis’ cousin Noel told the Irish Mirror: “We’re over the moon here, we’re jumping all over the place.
“It was an unbelievable game. It was one of the best world cup finals ever. That’s my position but I’m no soccer pundit.
“It’s a marvellous Irish connection, it really is and it gives us something to shout about.
“The atmosphere up here is unreal, just unreal. It’s packed. It’s all local people here and it’s absolutely brilliant.
“Of course we’re very proud. We’re just over the moon. All of our family are here, there must be about 40 or 50 of us here.”
On midfield maestro Alexis’ performance, Noel said: “I thought he performed very, very well. He definitely did.
“He wasn’t selfish, he passed the ball, he controlled the whole thing. And every game he’s improving.”
Noel is now working to bring his football superstar relative, left, to Donabate but is unsure of any timeline yet.
He explained: “We’re working on getting him over to Donabate.
“We hope to get Alexis and his father Carlos here, we’ve been in contact with them and they want to come.
But when is suitable, I don’t know.”
Asked if he hopes Alexis will bring the World Cup trophy, he added: “We hope so. If he can bring the trophy with him, yes, wouldn’t that be fantastic.”
And he laughed: “I would be absolutely over the moon. I’d nearly take a heart attack looking at it!”
Noel and the family partied into the night celebrating the huge win.
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