Paddy Power Pay Out on Fan’s Bet on Ireland Winning the World Cup

Paddy Power have said that they’re rewarding ‘ridiculous optimism’ by paying out on a punter’s bet on Ireland winning next year’s world cup in Russia, a whole 10 months before the final is due to be played! Following Ireland’s disappointing home defeat to Serbia on September 5th, it’s looking increasingly likely that Martin O’Neil’s side won’t be making the trip to Russia for the tournament which kicks off on June 14th. However, the 1-0 defeat did little to dampen the spirits of one very optimistic fan who after the game place a €3 bet on ‘The Boys Green’ lifting football’s top prize in Moscow next summer. As always Paddy Power have opted to see the funny side of things and have decided to pay out on the bet early before a ball has even been kicked!

A Mountain to Climb

Following Ireland’s 1-0 defeat at home to Serbia Martin O’Neil’s team now lie in third place in their qualifying group behind leaders Serbia and second-placed Wales. To be in with a chance of qualifying for next summer’s World Cup the team will need to win their two remaining games in Group D, first at home to Moldova on October 6th and then away to Wales in Cardiff three days later, October 9th. Even if they do win both games they are still not guaranteed a place at the tournament with the best 8th placed second teams in the European Qualification reaching the play-off round. After the game, O’Neil described his team's mission to qualify as “a mountain to climb”. Paddy Power currently has Ireland at 6/1 to qualify for the tournament and 1/14 to miss out on the competition.