According to leading Irish bookmakers, Ireland's failure to qualify for this summer's tournament in Germany has not dampened our enthusiasm for laying bets on the outcome of the competition.

Between online and in-shop betting, over 100m is expected to pass through Irish bookmakers' hands over the course of the tournament.

According to Paddy Power of Paddy Power bookmakers, this summer's World Cup . . .which kicks off next Friday . . .
will see more betting than any previous football tournament and looks set to become the first 1bn World Cup for bookies in Britain and Ireland.

Paddy Power hope to pull in up to 30m in bets from the Irish market.

Bookmakers such as Paddy Power and Ladbrookes have reported that the traditional rivalry between Irish and English football supporters has been cast aside temporarily, as Irish punters back England's chances of success in huge numbers.

"England are the most popular choice for Irish people, " says Power. "Having England in the tournament leads to a bit more interest by Irish people so the further England progress, the more bets we hope to take in."

Italy, Spain and Brazil are the other sides Irish people are backing for World Cup glory.