An Irish fan in Lyon who clinched a ticket for the Republic’s big match against France is putting his success down to “gift of the gab”.
Aidan McKenna, 41, from Keady, Co Armagh, spent three hours asking hundreds of passers-by in the city’s fan zone.
Eventually he pocketed two tickets – a 55-euro ticket which he paid 250 euro for and a 105-euro ticket which he paid 300 euro for.
Mr McKenna said: “I’m shaking. Very excited. I’ve asked a lot of questions in the last couple of hours.
“Having the gift of the gab will get you anywhere in life, especially in situations like this.”
His friend Aidan McGrory, 33, from Fanad in Co Donegal, already had a ticket and was supporting Mr McKenna in his quest.
“I’m absolutely ecstatic to be one of the lucky Irish fans in Lyon to have a ticket,” he said.
Many Irish supporters are spending their day trying to get their hands on tickets ahead of Sunday’s showdown with hosts France.
The majority of tickets for the match were initially sold to French supporters during the general sales phase at the beginning of the year.