They would not be moved. The fans of Northern Ireland would not shift from the stadium in which they had been pummelled by Germany, but still lost by just the one goal.
They stood and sang and sang and sang and sang.
The stadium organisers did not try to force them out. Euro 2016 loves the Irish.
Instead they played Northern Ireland’s favourite song over the tannoy. “Will Grigg’s on Fire,” based on the hit “Freed From Desire” by Gala may just be the chant of the tournament. Will Grigg, Wigan Athletic’s Northern Ireland striker, has been turned into a legend.
He terrifies defences, don’t you know. A band called Blonde have released it as a charity single. It has made the top 10 of the UK charts.
All money raised goes to “Joseph’s Goal", a Wigan-based charity named after seven-year-old Latics fan Joseph Kendrick who suffers from rare genetic disorder Non-Ketotic Hyperglycinemia,” reported the Daily Mail.
Northern Irish fans (yes, a few drinks had been taken) recently called the 999 emergency number and asked for the fire department. What was on fire, the operator wanted to know. “Will Grigg,” they answered.
“Will Grigg’s on fire?” replied the operator. Cue the chorus chant by the fans. The Irish have managed to stop traffic with the song. The English have tried to nick it for Jamie Vardy. Sigh.
In Paris on Tuesday night, the Irish sang on.
British reporters at the match sang their praises in return. Germany had swamped them. They should have been five down at half-time, but goalkeeper Michael McGovern will be renamed the McGovernor for a display from another planet.
In the stands, the world's fourth best golfer Rory McIlroy wore a T-shirt with the image of George Best emblazoned on it. Best was the greatest of us all, flawed and fantastic.And when the heart had slowed to a thunderstorm, the Republic gave we Irish reason to find more room for joy.
Robbie Brady may never score a better goal. Italy’s legendary goalkeeper, Gianluigi Buffon, made a point of shaking Martin O’Neill’s hand after the match.The last time Ireland beat Italy, at the 1994 World Cup, Roy Keane was the young superstar with a ready boot and little fear of putting himself about.
On Wednesday, Keane and O’Neill hugged and fought back the tears.The Irish sang and they drank.
English football writer Sam Wallace tweeted on Thursday: “Four Irish fans fast asleep on Lille hotel lobby sofas. Receptionist: ‘They came, they drank beer, they were very friendly. We don’t mind’.
”Oliver Holt of the Daily Mail walked past a security guard after the Northern Ireland match: “Came out of stadium earlier. Security guard locking up an office and whistling Will Grigg’s on Fire. Nice when football has that effect.
”The Irish will sing on for at least one more match at this tournament. I defy you not to want to sing “Will Grigg’s on Fire” at least once.
@KevinMcCallum
The Star