You can take the woman out of Argentina... Dunderry family go back to roots to celebrate World Cup Final

An Argentinian woman living in Dunderry for the last 21 years has returned to her home town of Santa Fe in Argentina for a five week trip of a life time to celebrate the World Cup Final this Sunday with her family.

Lorena Pezzino Murray, her husband Eric Murray from Rathnally, Trim and their four children Emilia, 15, Lucia, 14, Isabel, 11, and Victoria, 8, are all huge football fans and are heavily involved with Dunderry GAA Club and Robinstown FC.

Lorena said: “This will be our kids' first time experiencing a match like this in Argentina. It is completely wild. Everything stops, everyone is on the street, no one goes to work, it is such a big event. The entire day revolves around the match. You really have to be here to understand how big it is."

Talking about the plans for the big day on Sunday 19th July, Lorena explained that it is a true family affair.

"My parents have a small place with a pool and a BBQ so we will have food and all of the cousins, aunts and uncles will come over and meet there and we will watch the match together. Hopefully, we will all be going out to celebrate after, too!”

When asked about her predictions for the game, Lorena said: “I am confident in my team that we can give it a good shot, so I am hoping it will be 3-1. I think Messi and Martinez will score.”

“We are all huge football fanatics in this household. As much as my husband Eric put GAA into me, I have put soccer into him and the kids! They don’t have a choice,” she laughed.

Lorena met her husband Eric just a month after arriving in Ireland and over 30 family and friends from Ireland travelled to Argentina for their wedding in January 2010. Her parents Carlos and Cristina also travel to Ireland every year to spend six months with the family.