There’s still a couple of days until the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals get underway but the Irish fans travelling to Tokyo are already in fine voice.
Ireland take on defending world champions New Zealand in the last eight on Saturday morning and there will be thousands in green cheering Joe Schmidt’s men on.
A significant Irish contingent has been in Japan since the beginning of the tournament but many saved themselves for the knockout phase of the World Cup and set off for Tokyo this week.
One particular flight which took off from Dublin Airport on Thursday was packed with Irish supporters who cut their work week short to make sure they see Ireland against the All Blacks.
Airport Operations Manager of Cathay Pacific, Leanne McGarry, captured footage of the passengers on board the flight and they needed no second invitation to belt out a rousing rendition of Irelands’ Call prior to take-off.
“The atmosphere was just electric,” Leanne told Lovin.ie. “With having over 200 supporters onboard I knew I had to capture the moment somehow so recorded this just before we closed the doors and waved the green army off. I’d say the banter and craic onboard now is fantastic.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B3uUVJsg7qk/
“I’m just raging there was no room left for me in the flight to go with them.”
Ireland vs. New Zealand kicks off at 11.15am Irish time on Saturday, October 19.
