Local community gets set for Euro 2012 showdown: Part 3 | Latest Newry News, Newry Sport and Newry Business for Newry City

Local community gets set for Euro 2012 showdown: Part 3

In Part 3 of the Newry Times Euro 2012 special we’ve caught up with two more local lads who will be making the trip in just over two weeks to Poland and Ukraine. Chrissy Hanratty from Carnagat Park spoke to Newry Times and said he can’t wait for the tournament to get underway.

The 23-year-old thinks the trip will be a ‘brilliant experience’ and he is quietly confident Ireland will finish second in a tough group. “If we get a draw or a win against Croatia I think we can come second as we will beat Italy.”

Going over to his first tournament with friends – Shaun Cinnamond and John McEvoy – Chrissy thinks James McClean could be the player to watch out for. Major football tournaments don’t come cheap though and Chrissy has spent quite a bit already.

Chrissy is bringing £1000 to the Euro 2012 tournament

He continued, “For the two match tickets; one was 200 Euro, the other was 155 Euro. Accommodation is different as we stay in Berlin for a few nights then Poznań and then Gdańsk. As for the flights, they were around £130 I think, but we make two stops before we land in Berlin.”

And that’s all spent before Chrissy and his two friends touch down in Eastern Europe. Spending money to enjoy yourself is vital too and Chrissy insists he will bring around £1000 with him.

Chrissy proclaims that his favourite player is popular defender Richard Dunne. He explained his reasoning, “Against Russia he lay his body on the line and you love to see that when someone’s playing for their country and he does it every time he plays.”

Should Ireland win the Euros, Chrissy laughs and said he will “Go on the rip until the next Euros.” Four years of celebrating could be coming his way if Trap and his troops have anything to say about it.

Shaun on route to the Aviva Stadium before a recent Ireland game

Shaun Cinnamond from Derrybeg will join Chrissy on the Eastern European adventure. The 24 year-old said he is ‘buzzing’ at the prospect of going to such a prestigious footballing event.

Despite Ireland’s group containing current European and World Champions Spain, Italy and Croatia, Shaun is adamant that Ireland will progress beyond the first stage. He explained, “It’s a tough group but we have the spirit and determination to get out of it. A good result is a must against Croatia in the first game. I think we’ll get out of the group.”

Asked who the player to watch in the Irish squad was, Shaun insists long-serving winger Damien Duff has still got what it takes to perform at the top level. “He has always been consistent for Ireland, he works like a trojan up and down the flank.” Richard Dunne is another member of the squad who Shaun thinks will enjoy a great tournament, “Dunne is solid as a rock at the back, his performance away to Russia was immense.”

Shaun continued, “It’s my first tournament, I’ve been to the majority of home games throughout the qualifying campaign. The euphoria especially in the latter games against Armenia and Estonia was incredible.”

Shaun has forked out over £900 already for tickets, travel and accommodation and hopes to bring around £600 spending money to last him the eleven days. And what would Shaun do if Ireland won Euro 2012? Well, that’s easy, he says, “Quite a session would be in order, it would be amazing!”

Related articles:

Local community gets set for Euro 2012 showdown: Part 1

Local community gets set for Euro 2012 showdown: Part 2

Short URL: https://newrytimes.com/?p=15044

Posted by on May 24 2012. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

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