AIB customers spent €250,000 on flights between 1pm and 2pm on November 20 after the FIFA draw as Ireland football fans rushed to book flights for the World Cup playoff match against Czechia, new figures from the bank show.
AIB's special Football Spend Trend report shows that spending by its customers on flights increased by 69% compared to the same time the previous week.
The bank noted that as well as direct flights from Dublin to Prague, it covered the various routes supporters have planned and navigated across Europe to cheer on the Irish soccer team in Prague.
Today's report also shows that spending in sports clothing shops reached the highest level this year the day after the soccer win in Budapest.
On Saturday November 15, the day before the Hungary-v-Ireland game, AIB said that a "notable" €802,000 was spent in sports clothing stores by AIB customers.
But that figure was swiftly surpassed on Monday 17, the day after Ireland's triumph in Budapest, when spending in sports clothing shops increased further to just over €1m.
AIB said this made it the best day of the year so far for spending by AIB customers in sports apparel stores.
"It is highly unusual for a Monday in November to see such elevated figures, underlining the exceptional impact of the team's success on consumer behaviour," the bank added.
Meanwhile, the day of the Hungary game saw pub spending in Ireland rise by 10% compared to the previous Sunday, AIB said.
Adrian Moynihan, AIB's Head of Consumer, said the buoyant mood sweeping the country in the wake of the Irish football team's achievements was palpable.
"Our analysis shows that spending patterns are closely mirroring this national optimism, especially on match days, with fans coming together to support both their team and their local businesses, whether at home or abroad," he said.
