England and Ireland fans clashed as the two countries met for a competitive football fixture in Dublin for the first time since an abandoned game nearly 30 years ago. Around 3,000 England supporters descended on Dublin with some friendly rivalry on display in the Aviva Stadium.
England fans were outnumbered 15 to one by the Irish in the first competitive fixture in the Irish capital since their infamous 1995 meeting was abandoned due to violence.
An early 5pm kick off was hoped to help ensure that the event passes without problems with a large police presence outside the Aviva Stadium, formerly known as Lansdowne Road, reports the Mirror.
However, as punters made their way to the game, a small scuffle broke out shortly after 4pm. But a Gardai spokesperson said there had been no arrests so far and no significant trouble reported at this stage of proceedings.
Rowdy Irish fans packed out the nearby Slattery’s pub, singing “Come on You Boys In Green” and a number of other chants that were designed to antagonise the English supporters.
Gavin from Newry brought his two children Sophie, 13, and Thomas, 11 down on the train to the game. He said: “We’re hoping England don’t win by too much. We will be up for it anyway.”
England fan Mark Jacula, visiting from Ontario, Canada, with his family including Audrey, 23, and Ben, 10, said: “This is our first football game. We have never seen anything like this back home. The atmosphere is amazing, very exciting.”
England went on to win the game 2-0.
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