Irish fans disguised as Estonian substitutes

memorable

November 11, 2011: Conor Cunningham was not the contest winner. However, it became a big topic after Ireland's 4-0 victory over Estonia at Euro 2012. Because this fan managed to watch the game as an Estonian substitute.

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Irish football fans are known for two things: they drink a lot and they love to travel. They prefer to combine the two activities. PE student Conor Cunningham flew to Estonia with ten friends to attend Ireland's European Championship qualifiers but had no plane tickets. Since the stadium is small but the crowds are huge, the “black market” options can quickly disappear.

Yet the 27-year-old sat in the stadium during the game – as a substitute on the Estonian bench!

“That's my chance. I have to take the risk!”

Cunningham strolled around the arena before the game. When he saw an open door with no security guard guarding it, he snuck into the building. The hallway where the fan was located now appears to be a dead end. But when Cunningham spotted a bag filled with footballs and Estonia national team jerseys in the corner, he realized his chance had come.

“I picked up the clothes and put them on,” the future international told Irish television after returning to the Emerald Isle. “This was my chance to watch the game. I had to take the risk,” Cunningham continued. He shouldered his bag, lowered his head, and simply walked toward the sidelines.

Suddenly next to the coach of the Estonian national team

The plan works. No one suspected anything and Cunningham was on the bench for Estonia. “No one spoke to me and suddenly I realized I was sitting next to their national team coach Talmo Rutli,” he told the Daily Mail.

Cunningham even took an active part in the game. A quarter of an hour later, Cunningham passed the ball to the Estonian player as it sailed out of the field. He smiled mischievously for a moment at the TV cameras that were filming everything.

At this point, Cunningham came to the attention of UEFA officials. “He came to me and told me I've got to get out of here.” Like a coach who's very unhappy with the referee, Cunningham was sent to the stands, where the crowd dutifully made room for him.

Cunningham was taking a picture of himself in the background as TV cameras showed Ireland coach Giovanni Trapattoni.Image: Youtube/Coach Cunningham

Irish players are all smiles

But the night wasn't over yet. Ireland won 4-0, playing one more game before the second leg and already qualifying for Euro 2012. So Cunningham took to the lawn to celebrate with his favorite people. The players laughed when he explained that he was not Estonian at all, but a compatriot.

Only then does Cunningham truly stand out. This is logical, because why would an Estonian substitute be ecstatic about an opponent who had just clearly beaten him? “I'm just saying I gotta bring the football back,” one official told him, because Cunningham had a bag that brought him good luck after the game.

The Irish players celebrated, while the Estonian substitutes celebrated with bags full of footballs.Image: Youtube/Coach Cunningham

Conor Cunningham took home sneakers engraved with the word “Eesti”. A memento of an experience in his life that his great-great-grandchildren may one day pass on to their descendants.