PEOPLE might talk of the luck of the Irish, but drinkers in Swindon's Tap and Barrel pub insisted Ireland's draw against Germany yesterday had nothing to do with luck.

Ireland might have scored a last ditch equaliser, but it was the result of 90 minutes of hard work by a team playing well above the sum of their parts.

The Tap and Barrel in Manchester Road, a pub that shows live Gaelic football, was packed with members of the town's 11,000-strong Irish community.

Robbie Keane's last-minute goal leaves Ireland within touching distance of a place in the knockout stages of the competition, and the joyful fans in the bar knew it.

Landlord Jerry McGrath said: "That was absolutely fantastic we more than deserved it. If the Germans beat Cameroon, then a win against Saudi Arabia will take us through, and we can beat the Saudis easily.

"I don't know how much further than the next stage they can go but it's just great fun when it's like this. Everybody is happy, and at the end of the day that's what it's all about.

Even at half time, with Ireland 1-0 down, supporters refused to lose faith.

And disgraced midfielder Roy Keane, who was sent home after a bust-up with manager McCarthy, came under fire from drinkers.

Retired Willie Doyle, 61, from Penhill, said: "Roy Keane wouldn't be welcome in this pub." He added: "This is absolutely brilliant, I knew Ireland would get through it.

Pierce Bolger, 59, who manages a club in Purton, said: "I think Ireland have done exceptionally well. But I think Roy let his country and himself down. There is only one boss of the Ireland side and that's Mick."