THE Euro 2016 tournament may only be four days old, but already fans from across Ireland are winning the contest for the most innovative ways of showing support for their team.
If there was a trophy for sarcastic flags and banners, then the Irish would be red hot favourites for gold.
At the last European Championships in 2012, a tricolour with the logo "Angela Merkel thinks we're at work" went viral.
This time around, three fans from Cork decided to get back at their friend who dropped out of a planned trip to France because - according to their version of events - he had "got a new girlfriend."
Daniel Hegarty (27), Aaron Ryan (21) and Darren McNamara (31) planned to travel to France with their mate Tom.
Euro 2016: 'This is Tom. He isn't here because he got a new gf' - Meet the lads who burned their friend with a flag. https://t.co/fk4pdlsrrh
— Independent.ie (@Independent_ie) June 13, 2016
In tribute (or insult) to their absent friend, they produced two tricolour themed banners, with one stating: "This is Tom. Tom isn't here cas he got a new gf. Don't be like Tom."
Green Army the toast of Paris as 100,000 Irish invade France. https://t.co/GLN16oVE1Q pic.twitter.com/ocI0kVZ1fw
— Independent.ie (@Independent_ie) June 13, 2016
A close contender for best flag also comes from the Republic's fans, who have produced a banner with a photo of RTÉ journalist Teresa Mannion with the words: "Sorry Teresa, this journey was absolutely necessary."
It is a reference to the presenter's infamous broadcast from a rain and wind swept Co Galway last year in which she struggled to deliver a series of travel warnings.
One specially painted Republic of Ireland supporters' bus features Daniel O'Donnell on the back with the logo "Awk Mummy...we'll be grand."
Top of the pile for best flags brought by Northern Ireland fans to France include "Frank's Weather Watchers on Tour" with a photograph of UTV presenter Frank Mitchell in a bikini.
Watched yesterdays Euro highlights. It was nice of Northern Ireland to respect some peoples beliefs by not playing any football on a Sunday
— TerryMcHugh (@TerryMc_Hugh) June 13, 2016
One Northern Ireland fan decided to attempt to replicate the romance of the football team's story by proposing to his girlfriend in Nice before yesterday's game against Poland.
While Northern Ireland disappointed on the pitch, Ian Morton thankfully had reasons for celebration when Rachel agreed to become his wife.
Man of the Match goes to ... Ian Morton from N Ireland. He proposed to Rachel & she said 'yes'. pic.twitter.com/T8wKyxhGL1
— Mark Simpson (@BBCMarkSimpson) June 12, 2016
In humorous exchanges on Saturday, Northern Ireland fans tried to teach Poland supporters the lyrics to the chant 'Will Grigg is on fire', a tribute to the popular Northern Ireland winger.
If you can't beat them, join them. The Polish fans are now joining in with the Will Grigg song ... pic.twitter.com/LrneTSD5Lr
— Mark Simpson (@BBCMarkSimpson) June 10, 2016
