Ahead of England’s crucial Euro 2024 semi-final on Wednesday evening, Tonybet has commissioned a survey to unearth exactly how Irish fans feel about supporting our near neighbors as they look to win their first international tournament since 1966.
The main points of the reveals:
- The majority of Antrim, Fermanagh, Derry and Carlow natives want to see the Three Lions lift the trophy
- Limerick the least supportive of England, followed by Kilkenny and Cavan
- Men have a more favorable view of Kane & Co. than women
- Spain are the squad Irish fans want to see take the title
In a survey of over 1,000 people conducted via pollsters Bounce Insights, they got a definitive answer on how Irish people feel about football ‘coming home’ with 30% admitting they want to see it happen, while the remaining 70% hope England will falter before or at the final.
The poll was carried out as part of Tonybet’s Euros campaign which featured Ireland legend Tony Cascarino and encouraged Irish fans to support every team bar England at the tournament.
The poll revealed that Carlow was the most pro-England county with 65% of respondents admitting they would like to see England win the tournament with Antrim (58%), Derry (62%) and Fermanagh (60%) being the only other counties where the majority will be cheering for Southgate’s men.
On the flip side, Limerick is the most adverse to England going all the way, with just 14% of those polled admitting they will support the Three Lions.
The people of Kilkenny (15%), Cavan (20%), Longford (20%) and Wicklow(22%) are also hesitant to raise the St. George’s cross for the remainder of the tournament.
However, over a quarter of Dubliners (28%) hope to see Bellingham and the boys do the business, while in Cork - a county steeped in Fenian roots - one in four are getting behind them.
Elsewhere, when broken down by gender, Irish women are less inclined to support the near neighbors with only 28% backing the auld enemy compared to 35% of men.
The Tonybet poll also revealed that of the semi-finalists still in the tournament, Spain is the team of choice for Irish people - with 40% getting behind the Iberians followed by the Netherlands (24%) and France (20%) with the remaining 16% backing England.
When asked if they believe Ireland will qualify for the next Euros, some of which will be played in Ireland and include two guaranteed spots for the host nations who fail to qualify on merit, only 46% believe that they will make the tournament.
Mateusz Samolyk, Head of Brand for Tonybet, said "We jokingly encouraged Irish fans to back any team but England and it would appear as if 70% of the country were very open to the idea!
He continued "If you’re part of those who are backing the Three Lions, head to Carlow on Wednesday night where you’ll find yourself amongst your kin in the majority. And don’t be surprised to see the flag of St George hanging over Mount Leinster come Sunday should Gareth Southgate navigate his charges to the final."
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