As sports fans joyously prepare for a month-long orgy of football, can we please spare a thought for the poor misfortunes who cannot enjoy it as they should.
To all those in the middle of state exams, we feel your pain, we really do.
Many of us remember those dark days when a possibly life-changing set of exams clashed with an equally crucial tournament.
This is possibly the worst year to leaving cert #euros #HeinekenCup #Olympics #championsleague
— Rob (@RobMcBrien) April 29, 2012
Can the leaving cert just fuck off so I can go over to Poland? http://t.co/1zj5HOg7 #Euro2012 #Euros #COYBIG #GITC
— darren byrne (@byrneo8) June 6, 2012
Some of us even met heroes who helped us through it.
Doing English Paper I as Robbie Keane levelled v Ger. Student outside burst in to tell everyone. Place went nuts. Supervisor lost the plot
— Peter McNamara (@PeterMcNamara_) June 7, 2016
But this year, it is you who must suffer.
I'm thinking about the Euros more than the leaving cert 😂⚽🍀 #COYBIG #EURO2016 #leavingcert
— Darragh Doherty (@DarraghDoherty1) June 6, 2016
The things I would do to go to the Euro's instead of the doing the Leaving Cert
— Sean Commane (@SeanCommaneCFC) June 9, 2016
We thank you for the gift of good weather (while it lasted).
Not long now till the Euro's kick off! And cheers Leaving Cert for the sunny weather, it's a great time to be alive! #EURO2016 #FRA #COYBIG
— Jason Black (@Jason_Black999) June 9, 2016
And if all comes to all, France isn’t all that far away.
To everyone sitting their Leaving Cert know this, the ferry doesn't ask for passports and only costs 40 euro. Run away now while you can.
— Stephen Byrne (@stephenbyrne) June 8, 2016
The good news is none of Ireland’s group matches clash with exams.
Monday, June 13 Rep Ire v Sweden – 5pm
Saturday June 18 Belgium v Rep Ireland – 2pm
Wednesday, June 22 Italy v Rep Ire – 8pm
The bad news – there are loads of other games that do.
June 16 England v Wales 2pm Sorry Art, History & Appreciation students, no derby game between the British neighbours for you.
June 17 Italy v Sweden 2pm And scholars of Construction Studies, Latin and Classical Studies will all have to wait to find out how our Group E rivals get on.
Are there any ways to ease the suffering? Well, if you haven’t already downloaded the official UEFA Euro 2016 app – we suggest you do. You may be locked away in your room studying but that’s no reason to fall behind with all the news.
And fret not, you’ll be all finished up in time for the glorious knockout stages.
Even the poor devils doing Applied Mathematics, Japanese and Italian wrap up on June 24.
And then hopefully, Martin O’Neill and Keano will be leading the lads on as winners of Group E to the knockout game on Monday June 27.
Here’s a little extra sport. Watch the latest BallTalk for the best sports chat and analysis: What team will win Euro2016 and what player will be the star?
