There are few things that can unite this country as much as shouting against England in a major tournament.
Cheering against our neighbours in every game is a rite of passage in Ireland, one that is only getting stronger with each passing finals. Of course, seeing them inevitably get knocked out is even better.
Their World Cup loss to France last night was one of the funniest days of 2022, with social media alight with all the jokes you would expect after their exit in Qatar. In all, Irish people just like seeing England lose.
That is what made RTÉ's coverage of the game last night so odd.
RTÉ viewers questions Ronnie Whelan's England commentary
Most of the people who tuned into the state broadcaster to watch the match did so with the same wish: to see England fall flat on their face.
However, that message didn't really make its way into the commentary booth.
George Hamilton and Ronnie Whelan adopted a strangely pro-England approach. Whelan in particular seemed to moan about every single decision that didn't go their way, despite the fact they would be awarded two penalties over the course of the 90 minutes.
🏴1-2🇫🇷
Penalty awarded to England, after a Theo Hernandez barge on Mason Mount.
📝Live updates: https://t.co/ZpRyodjv6u
📺 Watch live on @rte2 and @rteplayer: https://t.co/1CdVcPa1jr#FifaWorldCup #RTEsoccer #ENGFRA pic.twitter.com/tKle8I9arX— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) December 10, 2022
The referee did have some poor decisions at times, but they didn't seem to favour one team over the other. A side can't complain about the officiating if they are awarded two spot kicks in the same game.
The viewers were certainly confused.
Lads, any word on Ronnie Whelan? Has he recovered from last night’s crushing defeat? Hard to remember a commentator as crest fallen as he was
— Dodge (@seidodge) December 11, 2022
Is there any chance that RTE could hire someone with a less obvious pro -English bias than Ronnie Whelan?Nigel Farage perhaps?
— Martin Moore (@cicero1959) December 10, 2022
I had no plan to watch this match on English tv, but Ronnie Whelan is on co-comms on RTÉ, so there was literally no other choice if sanity was to be maintained. Comms-allergy is REAL!
— Niamh ☕️ (@NiamhoNiamh) December 10, 2022
Ronnie Whelan gonna be the most disappointed Englishman around tonight. George not far behind him.#RTEsoccer #ENGFRA
— Davy Fitz (@Rocketballs7) December 10, 2022
Ronnie Whelan is absolutely fuming here. Wants England to win more than the English commentators I'd say.
— Jason Kavanagh (@JayKavanagh1890) December 10, 2022
Ronnie Whelan leaving the commentary box pic.twitter.com/L5DA3xUCuo
— Tony - Pod Guy - Groves (@Trickstersworld) December 10, 2022
Ronnie Whelan tonight#RTEsoccer #rtesport #FIFAWorldCup #ENGFRA pic.twitter.com/NDcIino2cE
— Gary Reilly (@GaryReilly1) December 10, 2022
Think Ronnie Whelan might need to reassess his loyalties!
— Shane Larkin 🇺🇦 (@shanel23) December 10, 2022
Ronnie Whelan on @RTEsoccer
"England feel they're getting nothing from the referee."
Yeah, because 2 penalties and 3 yellow cards against France is nothing.— One Star Means More (@theceltsarehere) December 10, 2022
We can laugh at Rice, Grealish and even Maguire as their international choices bring them heartache.
But spare a thought for Ronnie Whelan who never got that chance and could only play for the country of his birth and not his heart.— One Star Means More (@theceltsarehere) December 10, 2022
Exactly how much soup has Ronnie Whelan consumed?
— Minister for Patates at the Dept of Bacon & Chou (@FCTwenteBenson) December 10, 2022
Ronnie Whelan : "you've gotta feel sorry for England" I'm not quite sure we do actually, Ron.
— 🅰️🅾️'🅱️ (@Weedabixxx) December 10, 2022
It was definitely strange to listen to.
The majority of football fans in this country will be glad to see the back of the 'it's coming home brigade' for the remainder of 2022.
There are few things certain in this life, but you can always depend on England to cheer you up towards the business end of a major tournament. Long may it continue.
SEE ALSO: Brazilian Twitter Launched A Bizarre Attack On Roy Keane After England's World Cup Exit
