Nour Youseff's late finish was enough to seal a win against Bohemians at Dalymount Park.
It was never going to be an ordinary game of football, and none of the 4,390 fans who made their way to Dalymount Park would have expected it to be.
It’s a stadium steeped in Irish history in its 123 years, from holding concerts to being the home of Ireland’s national team, and now this evening’s hosts, Bohemians FC.
A team who had struggled to play the game they love for months – due to the suspension of all sporting events across Palestine – came to Dublin 76 years to the day of Nakba, against a side who last played, as usual, on Saturday afternoon.
Despite making the trip, there was no sense that this team was playing away from home. The supporters at Dalymount Park held every touch, pass, and shot with the same regard from both sides.
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Before the game, Palestinian player Charlotte Smith spoke about the prospect of playing at a sold-out Dalymount Park:
“I'm nervous but excited. You know, I don't know exactly how to feel.”
Her teammate, midfielder Dina Abdeen agreed that although there was excitement, the prospect of playing at a sold-out venue for the country’s first ever game in Europe was daunting.
“It's very exciting. It's the first time I’ve played in front of such a big crowd.”
After the game, Smith said described the experience as ‘nerve-wracking’.
“I think you saw that in the game a little bit. The first half took us a while to settle in. But then we came, you know, after the second half, we came back out, we regrouped. We're like we got used to it a little bit. “
After Katie Malone scored the opening goal in the 53rd minute, there was even support for the opposition from the Gypsies own players, with the team running towards the corner of the Jodi Stand to hold up a t-shirt with a picture of a Palestine flag.
When Bohemians scored an own goal after 67 minutes the home fans erupted with cheers for the visiting team. That support was shown further when Nour Youseff added a second for Palestine in the final stages, with Bohs fans celebrating as if it was their own side that had scored the winner.
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Bohemians captain Rachael Kelly said she wasn't surprised to see the level of support for the visitors in the stands.
"We're Irish, the solidarity is there. The people wanted the girls to get the win. And absolutely, we were clapping for them ourselves. So look, it was brilliant. And the fans, everyone that came today that made it so much more special we're so thankful for."
In a game that was unique in more than one way, teammate Orlagh Fitzpatrick expressed her delight to be a part of history, not just in Ireland, but also in Palestine:
"I think it's it's very emotional for both sides. I think the girls coming over really gave us something to think about. And I suppose the sense of gratitude you feel, and just hearing about the girls and talking to them individually and together.
"It does give you things to be grateful for, the little things, and we are definitely proud in that sense to be a part of their history. We want to show them that we do stand with them and everything going on," she added.
Despite taking the win, it was the experience that mattered most to the Palestinian players and staff, with both delighted to see the support from their hosts. Smith said that the treatment left her instantly emotional:
"I mean, I was in tears. Right away. I saw them as soon as we walked out, you couldn't really hear them too much from the changing room. So as soon as we walked down, we saw the full house. Oh my gosh, I've never seen that many Palestinian flags in the same room. Yeah, I was instantly in tears."
Bohemians: Rachael Kelly (c), Lynn Craven, Ciara Smith, Lisa Murphy, Tiegan Ruddy, Fiona Donnelly, Aoibhe Brennan, Sarah McKevitt, Abbie Malone, Abbie O’Hara, Rachel McGrath
Substitutions: Medbh Ryan, Alannah McEvoy, Orlagh Fitzpatrick, Sarah Power, Savannah Kane, Katie Lovely, Aoibhe Fleming, Shauna Carroll, Robin Baird, Simone Reilly, Sophie Clarke
Palestine: Charlotte Phillips, Sara Kord, Sireen Ghattas, Lolo Naser, Jennifer Shattara, Hala Sarawi, Lilian Nasrah, Dina Abdeen, Nadine Mohammed, Nour Youseff, Mira Natour (c)
Substitutions: Laila Houshin, Malak Salman, Laila al Sheikh, Emily Ibrahim, Bisan Abuaita, Natalie Abudayyeh, Sara Alshakhshir, Pia Kassis.
