George is supporting Scotland all the way at World Cup finals
Two Scotland flags flying proudly outside bar in Clonmel
Ireland may not have qualified for soccer’s World Cup finals but another of the 48 countries taking part has plenty of support in Clonmel.
George Henry is cheering on his native Scotland, as they make their ninth World Cup finals appearance and their first since 1998.
George, who runs Bennigan’s bar with his wife Imelda, has firmly nailed his colours to the mast, with two Scotland flags flying proudly outside the bar in Mitchel Street, Clonmel.
Originally from Port Glasgow, on the River Clyde, approximately 25 miles south of Glasgow, George has lived in Ireland for the past 23 years.
He says that Scotland’s first appearance at the tournament in 28 years is long overdue and he was naturally delighted with their opening game win, when they beat Haiti 1-0 in Boston, thanks to a John McGinn goal.
The Scots were beaten 1-0 by Morocco in their second game last Friday night.
But with the best eight third-placed teams qualifying for the first knockout round of 32 teams, one more point could be enough to see them through, with Scotland playing Brazil in their final group game in Miami at 11pm Irish time tonight, Wednesday.
Their many supporters among the Tartan Army in the United States include George’s three cousins and an aunt.
“I was tempted to go too but the prices are through the roof, they put me off,” he says.
The flags outside Bennigan’s have attracted plenty of interest, including from a few Scottish men working locally who have called in to the bar to join the craic and discuss the team’s prospects.
With Ireland absent from the tournament, he says that his regulars are supporting Scotland, and he thinks that the atmosphere will improve if they qualify for the knockout round of 32.
Here’s wishing them the very best of luck.