Dreams turn Real for Shamrock Rovers fans

Ronaldo was greeted by chants of "Who are you?" from Shamrock Rovers fans

By Stephen Chittenden BBC News, Dublin

Cristiano Ronaldo has finally made his debut for Real Madrid after moving from Manchester United for a record £80m ($132m).

But it was not at the stadium he has dreamed of since childhood, Real's Santiago Bernabeu.

We didn't believe it. We thought it was some kind of hoax Daniel and Mike Brazil

Instead, the world's most expensive player appeared in a pre-season friendly at the council-owned Tallaght Stadium on the outskirts of Dublin.

The opposition were League of Ireland part-timers Shamrock Rovers, who are sponsored by a DIY shop round the corner.

For one night only, the half-built ground became a theatre of dreams for the 10,000 fans who each paid £50 to attend.

"We didn't believe it. We thought it was some kind of hoax," said Mike Brazil, attending the match with his son Daniel. "The hope would be that you would get maybe Leeds or Ipswich or something coming over. But this is beyond our wildest dreams."

"Rovers were on the road for 22 years without a home and very few sides would have survived that, renting and moving from place to place. So to get a home and get a game like this so quickly in our new life is absolutely wonderful."

Dazzling touches

Neil Cullin, 21, also refused to believe it for some time.

Building work re-started at Shamrock Rovers' stadium after the match

"Real Madrid in Tallaght - it's brilliant", he said. "Of course it's Ronaldo's debut and all, but I'm a United fan as well so I hate him now."

As Ronaldo and his fellow millionaires strode onto the Irish turf in their all-white strip, the footballers were greeted by chants of "Who are you?" from the Rovers fans.

He played for one half only, but showed some of the dazzling touches and dramatic changes of pace that saw him voted Fifa World Player of the Year.

At half time, Real unleashed another new signing, the £30m ($50m) striker Karim Benzema, who scored the game's only goal.

It's probably the greatest experience of my life Padraig Amond Shamrock Rovers striker

Rovers were not overawed, and had chances to score themselves. Afterwards striker Padraig Amond reflected on the night.

"We were sitting in the dressing room after the game disappointed that we were beaten by Real Madrid 1-0", he said.

"It's a real surreal moment. It's unbelievable. It's probably the greatest experience of my life and for a lot of the lads sitting in here it's the greatest experience of their lives."

'Great opponents'

Real Madrid's German defender, Christophe Metzelder, said he had enjoyed the club's trip to Ireland because he holidayed there as a teenager.

"It was nice", he said. "The spectators, the atmosphere, and that we didn't beat them 5-0. They had some great chances, so it was also good for the crowd."

Shamrock Rovers and their supporters must return to the League of Ireland

And Real's new head coach, Manuel Pellegrini, paid tribute to their hosts.

"Shamrock Rovers were great opponents and very useful for Real Madrid. The week has been really useful. It has been a very comfortable place to stay in and a good place to work in the pre-season," he said.

So now Real head back to Spain, and Rovers return to the League of Ireland.

But even the world's finest players were just a distraction for die-hard fans like Richie Connolly, whose priority remains domestic success.

"Who cares?" he said outside the stadium afterwards. "To me it's a novelty game".

"It was brilliant, it was great to see all the Real Madrid players there but in the context of our league it doesn't really matter."

And as the wet Irish mist descended the morning after, building work re-commenced at Shamrock Rovers' stadium.

The contrast almost left one wondering whether Ronaldo, Raul and Benzema had ever been there.

But none who saw them will forget the night the stars came out at Tallaght.

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