There is “unbelievable passion” among Shamrock Rovers fans as they continue a historic European campaign.
Rovers are the first League of Ireland club to reach the knockout stages of a major European competition.
They are seeking a place in the last 16 of the Uefa Conference League, with Thursday’s home game against Molde in Dublin, having beaten the Norwegian side 1-0 in the first leg.
A sea of green and white descended on Tallaght Stadium as night fell, with Hoops fans in high spirits.
Shamrock Rovers fans Paul Halpin (centre), with his nephews Cillian Halpin, 12, and Ross Halpin, 16 (Brian Lawless/PA)
Colm Nolan said: “Being a Rovers fan is great, you’re part of a big community. There might be 10,000 people here inside but you’ll know so many people.
He said it was “great” for an Irish club to progress this far, adding: “And its great for the standard and the profile of the League.”
Mr Nolan, from Dun Laoghaire, said the club’s success was met with “sheer passion” among the fanbase, further inspiring many young boys and girls to support Irish football.
Jamie Nolan, 13, said he was most looking forward to the atmosphere in the stadium, adding: “The passion is just unbelievable.”
Dylan Feehan, also 13, said it was going to be his second Rovers match – but he was looking forward to it being a big one.
Shamrock Rovers fans Cian McCormack (left), 12, Eamon MacCormaic (right), and Cian’s father, Paraic McCormack, arrive for the match (Brian Lawless/PA)
Support for Rovers extends far beyond Dublin, as some fans were keen to point out.
Cian McCormack, 12, said he was excited to be attending the historic match, having come from Cashel in Co Tipperary.
His father Paraic, a Rovers fan since 1999, said: “It has been brilliant – it has been a great year and we’ve had a few good occasions.”
Local man Paul Halpin said he had been a Rovers fan all his life but acknowledged Thursday’s fixture was a “big, big game”.
His nephews, Ross and Cillian Halpin, also from Tallaght, are season ticket holders.
Ross, 16, said: “I just love coming to the games, it is really close and the fans are really good.”
Acknowledging how far Rovers had progressed, his uncle added: “It is bragging rights – but we’d like to get to the final 16 and please God they do.”