Close Menu
Meanwhile in IrelandMeanwhile in Ireland

    SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER!

    What's Hot

    10 Irish Foods Tourists Can’t Handle

    February 26, 2026

    The Quiet Pint Trap: How 20 Minutes Turns Into 4 am

    February 26, 2026

    The Most Irish Response To Being Told the Bar Is Closing

    February 22, 2026
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Meanwhile in IrelandMeanwhile in Ireland
    • Home
    • News
    • Craic
    • Sports
    • More
      • All-Time Top Articles
      • Culture
      • Dublin
      • Funny
      • Irish People
      • Interesting News
      • Satire
      • The Drink!
      • Travel
      • TV and Movies
      • Viral
    • Shop
    Facebook YouTube Instagram TikTok
    Meanwhile in IrelandMeanwhile in Ireland
    You are at:Home » News » Craic » Ireland would have won a soccer world cup had alcohol not existed, scientist claims
    Craic Satire

    Ireland would have won a soccer world cup had alcohol not existed, scientist claims

    Gerald LeinsterBy Gerald LeinsterNovember 8, 2019No Comments3 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter WhatsApp Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Share:
    Facebook Twitter WhatsApp Pinterest Email

    Ireland’s failure to win a soccer world cup is directly attributable to the nation’s propensity for excessive alcohol consumption, a recently published medical/scientific study has found.

    The controversial report carried out by the International Institute for Sports Studies (IISS) based in Salt Lake City, Utah in the United States was published last month and contains some startling insides into the reasons behind Ireland’s lack of success since the tournament was inaugurated in 1930.

    The Director-General of IISS, Dr Elijah Olsen spoke to the international sports press at the launch of the report.

    Comprehensive Study

    “We have carried out a comprehensive study of Ireland’s performance — or lack of performance perhaps?” Olsen joked.

    “During the world cups, it is clear that alcohol played far too great a part in the Irish team’s preparation and training for the tournament,” he said.

    “We all know the Irish are great at sports — I mean look at those two rower brothers from Cork or that little boxer girl but seriously, when it comes to team sports the lads would rather go out on the beer than put in a few hours extra training.”

    “Down through the years it has become the custom in the Irish camp to ‘go for the few pints’ after training.

    “This culture evolves from the Irish tendency to ‘go for a few pints’ at the drop of a hat, and the somewhat suspect policy of the FAI to provide sandwiches and crisps in Daly’s Pub after squad training.” Dr Olsen, himself a non-drinker said. 

    Olsen went on, “if you look back even to Ireland’s recent world cup history you can plainly see the effect that alcohol played on both team spirit and management decisions.

    “I mean,” Olsen went on. “The whole Delaney ‘Bridging Loan’ scandal — seriously lads you can’t tell me that little earner wasn’t dreamed up in some pub?”

    The report also references the Saipan in 2002, when Roy Keane was sent home after saying to Manager Mick McCarthy, ” “Mick, you’re a liar … you’re a fucking w….r. I didn’t rate you as a player, I don’t rate you as a manager, and I don’t rate you as a person. You’re a f…..g w….r and you can stick your World Cup up your arse.”

    Olsen commented, “Jaysus there had to be a bit of drink involved in that particular incident.”

    Not only the players

    Olsen was also critical not only of the management and teams but also of the supporters.

    “Look at the travelling supporters,” he said.

    “They travel all over the world to support the team but the first thing they do when they get off the plane is to find an Irish pub where win, lose or draw the supporters can be seen singing ‘come on you boys in green’ wrapped around some fraulein or senorita, pissed out of their skulls and having the continuous craic.

    “It’s as if ‘it’s not the winning but the getting pissed and having the craic is the important thing.”

    Mixed Reaction

    Dr Olsen’s report and study initially did not receive much media attention in Ireland.

    Until that is, Johnny Fitzpatrick an unemployed mechanic from Coolock came across it on the Internet and brought it to the attention of other drinkers in the pub last Wednesday night.

    Reaction among the five pint drinkers and amateur soccer pundits was mixed, with most agreeing with the report’s findings.

    However angry scenes broke out when the Saipan incident was mentioned.

    However, Meanwhile in Ireland News understands that calm was restored only after someone bought a round.  

    Disclaimer

    This article is satire. Articles in this section are spoof articles which should not be taken as the truth, nor are they are intended to offend. However, if you are offended, please inform us formally via a letter. You can ensure it gets to us by placing it in the nearest recycling bin.

    Share. Facebook Twitter WhatsApp Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Avatar photo
    Gerald Leinster
    • Website

    Gerald Leinster is one of Ireland's most noteworthy journalists, columnists and commentator on Irish and international issues. Often accused of being more right-wing than Genghis Khan whom he admires greatly, Gerald is an Oxbridge graduate. He has authored many best-selling books including the recent ' The Margaret Thatcher I knew and Loved' and his previous bestseller 'Reagan, Bush, and Trump -- Gods of Their Time.' In his spare time, you might find Gerald relaxing on a golf course in Kildare, watching International rugby or dining out in Dublin's more fashionable restaurants. Although he strives for a professional journalistic apolitical stance, he feels strongly about the reunification of Ireland and the UK. He also holds membership of both Fine Gael and Fianna Fail.

    Related Posts

    The Quiet Pint Trap: How 20 Minutes Turns Into 4 am

    By Elizabeth MarcusFebruary 26, 2026

    “I’m Grand”: What Irish People Actually Mean

    By Charlotte DumontFebruary 22, 2026

    Why the Irish Goodbye Is the Most Respectful Exit

    By Juliane NeumannFebruary 18, 2026

    Why Irish People Are STILL Obsessed With Rain

    By Meanwhile in Ireland TeamFebruary 5, 2026
    Our Official Sponsor
    Latest Articles

    10 Irish Foods Tourists Can’t Handle

    February 26, 2026

    The Quiet Pint Trap: How 20 Minutes Turns Into 4 am

    February 26, 2026

    The Most Irish Response To Being Told the Bar Is Closing

    February 22, 2026

    The Real Reason Why Ireland Has Suddenly Become Hollywood’s Favourite Filming Location

    February 22, 2026
    SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER!
      Thank you for Signing Up
    Please correct the marked field(s) below.
    1,true,6,Contact Email,2 1,false,1,First Name,2 1,false,1,Last Name,2
    Stay In Touch
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • TikTok
    Don't Miss

    Taoiseach slept with Arlene Foster after ‘mistaking her for man’ on night out

    By Gerald LeinsterJanuary 17, 2020

    The Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has grudgingly admitted that he slept with DUP leader and First…

    Top 10 Irish BABY NAMES taking AMERICA by storm

    May 4, 2023

    30 Reasons to LOVE Ireland

    November 25, 2015

    Ireland sanctions Love Island Russian contestants in response to the Ukraine war

    April 22, 2022

    We specialise in Bizarre Irish News, Viral Videos and general Irish Craic.

    • Home
    • About us
    • Contact us
    • Team
    • Work for us
    • Terms of use
    • Privacy policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Copyright
    • Shop
    Follow us

    Connect with us on your favourite social media app.

    Facebook Twitter Instagram Youtube TikTok
    Contact us

    19 Arthur St, Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT1 4GA.

    [email protected]
    SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER!
      Thank you for Signing Up
    Please correct the marked field(s) below.
    1,true,6,Contact Email,2 1,false,1,First Name,2 1,false,1,Last Name,2
    ©Copyright 2019 - Meanwhile in Ireland | Trading under Emerald Green Media

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.