Many people with be waking up this morning with a football hangover. Another great event last night with plenty of drama and excitement we’ll be talking about for a long time to come. The papers and TV are all about the football this morning. This morning’s headlines refer to dreams being created and a new generation of heroes. It’s nice to have such happy news, gives everybody a lift. However here’s some headlines you won’t see.
1. Irish fans drinking themselves to death
Yesterday the Health Research Board reported that every day 3 Irish people drink themselves to death. So more people die from alcohol, then die from road accidents, suicide or illegal drugs. During football tournaments there is more drinking. Some estimates state on average an additional €185 will be spent on alcohol during the competition. Yesterday, as RTE reported the grim HRB research, they then followed with football news introducing it as
“and in a related item, we’ll move to the football”
Because every one knows football means drinking does n’t it?
2. Irish fans teaching their children to drink
There’s plenty of research which shows that parent’s attitudes to alcohol influence how their children drink and whether their children have an alcohol problem. For example, this report shows once children see their parents drunk it increases the child’s tendency to drink.
It did not appear to matter whether the parent was drunk once a week or once a month. So those children seeing their parents drunk and waking up with a football hangover this morning are more likely to drink.
Children as young as 8, see alcohol as key part of being Irish. In one study they made statements like
3. Ireland and Northern Ireland play each other in the Euro final
Both teams have done so well to get out of the group. It would be terrific to see them both progress onwards in the competition. Imagine a final where they played each other. The stadium would be full despite our small population and the whole country would stop to watch. We can but dream !
Avoid a football hangover
Finally, if you want to avoid a football hangover you might find our free advice here useful.
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