I've lost faith in Ireland.

[WoodquayBoy]

Exactly Macy, I was at a match in Old Trafford a few years back and two locals had a fight in the stand - one thought the other was a daytripper and started on him for, in his eyes, destroying his local club.
Fists flew before the second guy managed to take off his top, show his tattoos and declare 'I'm a fukin Manc too mate, not one of 'em other kuntz'. Needless to say I shifted uncomfortably in my seat.
I have family living in London who support Arsenal and Chelsea, and they also tell me the hardcore local fans of the big clubs HATE the plastics who fly in, go to a game, and bugger off again, they blame them for hiking prices and making tickets hard to come by and say that while the money men at the club are delighted to see these tourists, the 'ordinary' fan on the street just wishes they'd fukoff and never come back.

[Royal rover]

just as a matter of interest does anyone remember hearing about a massive brawl in crumlin pub about 5 or 6 years ago between united and liverpool fans all from dublin of course - i remember my boss telling me about it

[monsexile]

It is possible to be both a support of an LOI club and an English club. I have been supporting an English team since I was 6 and went to my first game at 7. I did not have a local league of Ireland club until I was 11 and immediately started going to watch them at Belgium Park and went to most home games and many away when I lived in Ireland. Logically I know its ridiculous to be an Irish Liverpool supporter and I often try to justify it with family connections to Liverpool and that the first Liverpool manager was from Monaghan and I know from going to Anfield that Irish fans - and there are a lot who go every second week - can be considered daytrippers by Scouse fans. But supporting football teams is not a logical thing and I have a deep emotional connection with Liverpool now. I don't see how it is impossible to go to Gortakeegan or whatever your local ground and also get the armchair out and watch your English, Scottish or Spanish team as well. But most Irish sports fans are event junkies and top-level GAA and rugby cater to that; there is no tradition here like in England or elsewhere of supporting your club week in, week out.

[WoodquayBoy]

Yes it is. I follow Man Utd & Coventry in England, check out the results of Hibs in Scotland, Celta Vigo in Spain, Inter in Italy, Ajax in Holland, Lorient in France, Sparta inm Czech Republic and Bayern in Germany. That is because I am a football fan. BUT my first love is, and always will be, Galway United

[kennedmc]

The way you choose Liverpool is because 1) They were good and you like glory hunting 2) you copied your friends/family members who supported them. 3) they had a few Irish players or 4) you liked their shirt?

Why did you not choose Macclesfield or Tranmere (for example)?

There is no way in hell you can argue that you are a true football fan if you have no interest in your own LoI, or local team.

And i bet you wrapped the Irish flag around you last saturday? Arent brazil a better team to follow for you - thery are good and have nice shiny jerseys
I bet you cheer against England too at football

I supported Liverpool because when I was 5 my cousin two years older then me did so and I looked up to him. I support then since - so what's your point? a young kid will always be influenced by those closest to him.

I would go to the odd LOI game and always like to see them do well in Europe. If a LOI team were playing Liverpool and they beat them I would be happy for the profile it gives Irish club football.

I don't support a LOI team - deal with it

[kennedmc]

Exactly Macy, I was at a match in Old Trafford a few years back and two locals had a fight in the stand - one thought the other was a daytripper and started on him for, in his eyes, destroying his local club.
Fists flew before the second guy managed to take off his top, show his tattoos and declare 'I'm a fukin Manc too mate, not one of 'em other kuntz'. Needless to say I shifted uncomfortably in my seat.
I have family living in London who support Arsenal and Chelsea, and they also tell me the hardcore local fans of the big clubs HATE the plastics who fly in, go to a game, and bugger off again, they blame them for hiking prices and making tickets hard to come by and say that while the money men at the club are delighted to see these tourists, the 'ordinary' fan on the street just wishes they'd fukoff and never come back.

Somebody who starts on some else on the street for no reason is generally known as a thug - the guy you describe above sounds like a first class scumbag who should be locked up -keys thrown away.

[L37Ultra]

Great thread. What I hate is people who only support foreign clubs and give me grief about supporting Limerick. I can't even walk around Limerick wearing a Limerick FC jersey without people staring at the jersey with funny looks. I find it very very odd when people who support say Liverpool etc.. (Don't get me wrong ive followed Man Utd since I could talk way before I was brought to a Limerick game) and slag Limerick for being crap. When I respond saying if everyone in Limerick who claims they a football supporter actually got off their arse and supported Limerick then they would be way better off both on and off the pitch in the future.

I never disagree that the standard is more, I usually agree after years of watching the First Division but its only going to get better if Irish people give it support. They can still watch their beloved Chelsea on TV anytime.

I always found it ironic and sums up the whole situation the fact that thousands of Irish people travel to Stamford Bridge every second week when their hardcore fan base has/or had a serious anti-Irish element in it.

[CMcC]

I supported Liverpool because when I was 5 my cousin two years older then me did so and I looked up to him. I support then since - so what's your point? a young kid will always be influenced by those closest to him.

I would go to the odd LOI game and always like to see them do well in Europe. If a LOI team were playing Liverpool and they beat them I would be happy for the profile it gives Irish club football.

I don't support a LOI team - deal with it

Unlucky, but then I suppose you can't choose your relations.

[L37Ultra]

I supported Liverpool because when I was 5 my cousin two years older then me did so and I looked up to him. I support then since - so what's your point? a young kid will always be influenced by those closest to him.

I would go to the odd LOI game and always like to see them do well in Europe. If a LOI team were playing Liverpool and they beat them I would be happy for the profile it gives Irish club football.

I don't support a LOI team - deal with it

Not a good enough excuse. I support Man Utd for the same reason but now I also go to every single Limerick game I can and support them in many other ways and I still watch the majority of Manchester United games on TV and would go to Old Trafford if I wasnt a broke student.

[L37Ultra]

Unlucky, but then I suppose you can't choose your relations.

Or the fact that your Irish :rolleyes:

[WoodquayBoy]

Somebody who starts on some else on the street for no reason is generally known as a thug - the guy you describe above sounds like a first class scumbag who should be locked up -keys thrown away.
The pair of them were plastered, to be honest, but for me it was just a snapshot of the attitude of the hardcore local fans of English clubs to the bandwagon-jumping, glory-hunting, event-junkie football fans from Ireland who couldn't locate the ground of their nearest LOI team if it meant they'd get a free season ticket, flights and accommodation for 'their' team in a country the majority of them hate given the 800 years of oppression we all suffered (yawn).
My support for Man Utd is also down to family ties (my uncle supported them and I idolised him), but my loyalty is to Galway UNited not Man United, just as it is to Ireland and not England.
Regarding L37Ultra's jersey reflection, I get the same, play 5-a-side every week in my United jersey, I have had people ask me why I was wearing that, and ask me 'can you not afford a real jersey?' I haven't snapped yet with such comments, but breaking point is fast approaching

[L37Ultra]

I get the same, play 5-a-side every week in my United jersey, I have had people ask me why I was wearing that, and ask me 'can you not afford a real jersey?' I haven't snapped yet with such comments, but breaking point is fast approaching

Its a culture that exists that would take years to change if ever. :mad:

Once a fellow wearing a Liverpool jacket on a bus in Limerick asked did I play with Limerick when I was wearing a Limerick FC jacket. I said no why? His response was why you wearing that so? I told him I supported Limerick FC and he laughed. So I asked him did he play with Liverpool and thats why I now drive :D

[peadar1987]

I supported Liverpool because when I was 5 my cousin two years older then me did so and I looked up to him. I support then since - so what's your point? a young kid will always be influenced by those closest to him.

I would go to the odd LOI game and always like to see them do well in Europe. If a LOI team were playing Liverpool and they beat them I would be happy for the profile it gives Irish club football.

I don't support a LOI team - deal with it

When I was a kid I used to "support" Man U because my older cousin did. Then when I was about 13 or 14, I realised that was daft, switched to Stoke, and started going down the Carlisle. I've never looked back.

When you get people like the lad I mentioned in the OP, who make some stupid excuse to make themselves feel better about supporting a foreign club, it makes my blood boil.

The actual course of the argument went along the lines of:

Rich: "You're from Manchester? Are you a United fan?"

Laura: "No, I support City, most people in Manchester do"

Rich: "No they don't. Man United are the biggest club in the world. Man United, Liverpool, Arsenal, they're all Irish clubs, that's why they're so successful"

Laura the Manc: "What are you talking about? Man United were founded by railway workers. Liverpool were a made-up club founded because Everton left Anfield, and Arsenal were a team from a British Army munitions store"

Rich: "Ah you wouldn't understand. You're probably a Protestant."

[Towelie]

You think thats bad, I heard a group of lads in Ireland jerseys singing a United song on the way to Croker the other night, I decided on the spot that this would be the last Ireland game i ever to go


Did you say anything to them? Or did you just decide that you were going to go home and write a strongly worded paragraph on Foot.

[Nedser]

The actual course of the argument went along the lines of:

Rich: "You're from Manchester? Are you a United fan?"

Laura: "No, I support City, most people in Manchester do"

Rich: "No they don't. Man United are the biggest club in the world. Man United, Liverpool, Arsenal, they're all Irish clubs, that's why they're so successful"

Laura the Manc: "What are you talking about? Man United were founded by railway workers. Liverpool were a made-up club founded because Everton left Anfield, and Arsenal were a team from a British Army munitions store"

Rich: "Ah you wouldn't understand. You're probably a Protestant."


Hmmmm ..... you couldn't make this up .......... or maybe you could? Either that or Rich is the biggest gloryhunting stereotype of all time.

[peadar1987]

Hmmmm ..... you couldn't make this up .......... or maybe you could? Either that or Rich is the biggest gloryhunting stereotype of all time.

Cross my heart I didn't make it up! My flatmate literally won't come along on class nights out with me any more in case Rich is there!

[Macy]

Hmmmm ..... you couldn't make this up

I know, just how deluded people are, I mean, most people in Manchester support city!?!??

[redobit]

I supported Liverpool because when I was 5 my cousin two years older then me did so and I looked up to him. I support then since - so what's your point? a young kid will always be influenced by those closest to him.


So, if you mother had decided to bring you to visit your other cousins that faithful day you could be a Man Utd fan. Such whims and coincidences are not how you should start supporting any team.

[bennocelt]

I supported Liverpool because when I was 5 my cousin two years older then me did so and I looked up to him. I support then since - so what's your point? a young kid will always be influenced by those closest to him.


I don't support a LOI team - deal with it

So if your cousin supported Manure Utd then........................quite random isnt it?

Dont care if you diss the LOi, it really is your loss.

[harpstilidie]

I support Man Utd..have done since I was a wee boy. My dad took me to see Harps and I was hooked ever since and they always come before Man Utd. If I had tickets to Finn Harps v Derry City and tickets to Man Utd v Liverpool and they were both on the same night, I'd be in Finn Park cheering on MY team. Some people would say I'm mad but that's the way it is! :)

[Vermicious Knid]

The Irish are a horrible group of people.

Cowardly, money-grabbing, would sell their own grandmother for a few more pints, back stabbing atrocious group of individuals. Not as funny as they think they are, and in general have to rely on them and others being drunk for their personalities to come out. Usually that personality is rubbish as well. In fact I'd credit this lack of personality and national character as to why the Irish in general will jump on whatever bandwagon is rolling along and pretend that that's what makes them Irish and lovable.

You see it with the support of British football
You see it in Munster rugby
You see it in nonsense like Arthur's Day
You see it every day walking the street
You see it on election days

Truly the Irish are Europe's shame

That's what's wrong with the Irish. Also Churchill was right, the Irish can't govern themselves

Did you ever look up the meaning of the word generalisation? A frankly baffling post. You are essentially saying because SOME Irish people support British clubs or Some Irish people like Munster Rubby or some Irish people have a penchant for Guinness, and then the catch all of, people who walk or vote that these things make the Irish horrible?

The rest of your post is just a lazy stereotype written by a guy who clearly feels life handed him a raw deal. Maybe if you stayed out of the company of the Irish who drink and shied away from the money grabbers you might start to feel better about yourself. Ddi you ever think that your post actually reflects on the people you associate in your own myopic microcosm rather than society at large.

For instance my friends and colleagues are humourous, intelligent gregarious people who don't need alcohol to enjoy themselves. The are principled people who will readioy stand up for what they believe in. Personally I have stood up to anyone or anything that would impinge negatively on my life, also I have a cracking personality and I am good craic with a few pints on board. Also I am a proud Irishman. How do you like dem apples?

[Riddickcule]

I'm an Irish Gooner, i've supported them for years and i don't plan to end it.

I started supporting bray a few years ago when a mate of mine asked me to go to a Bray game, i had other plans that friday night so i had to be convinced to go..

Anyway, i don't have any problem if Irish people support English teams, just hate when they refer to them as WE and US...
And when they slag off the Loi, makes the blood boil

[Pauro 76]

I always found it ironic and sums up the whole situation the fact that thousands of Irish people travel to Stamford Bridge every second week when their hardcore fan base has/or had a serious anti-Irish element in it.

I can vouch for that. My ex was a big Chelsea fan and she brought me to a Chelsea match. We went to a bar where there seemed to be the hardcore Chelsea fans. They chanted a few anti-Irish songs, the most uncomfortable experience I've ever had.

I do get a few funny looks if people ask who I support. it's always 'Longford Town' but that said I did grow up a Liverpool fan, but no real passion for them these days.

[sonofstan]

I can vouch for that. My ex was a big Chelsea fan and she brought me to a Chelsea match. We went to a bar where there seemed to be the hardcore Chelsea fans. They chanted a few anti-Irish songs, the most uncomfortable experience I've ever had.

I do get a few funny looks if people ask who I support. it's always 'Longford Town' but that said I did grow up a Liverpool fan, but no real passion for them these days.

Weirdly, perhaps - maybe because I'm full of self -loathing - that kind of thing doesn't bother me too much. I used to go to Colchester Utd matches when I was there, a big, big army town, base for all the Para regiments that served in the North, and every game there'd be a choruses of 'No surrender to the IRA' and 'I'd rather be a **** than a Mick' and so on, and it never really impinged too much: and when I told people I was Irish, it never provoked any reaction. Taking the sentiments expressed in football songs seriously - either by the singers, or the target - is hardly ever wise. I don't think Rovers fans are 'the scum of Ireland' nor do I think Longford fans shag their sisters, but i will sing along: so, you know....

[kennedmc]

So if your cousin supported Manure Utd then........................quite random isnt it?

Dont care if you diss the LOi, it really is your loss.

Firstly I have never slagged of the LOI and never would either. Please show where I HAVE.

Secondly my cousin was a big influence on me when I was younger so I guess if he supported another team I would have too, to be honest. (It is not based on 1 visit to my cousin!). As long as somebody sticks with there team then I don't have a problem with it.

Thirdly I am not offering it as an excuse! Why should I have to offer an excuse for anything?

Some people on here are rightly riduculing people who slagged them off for supporting a LOI team.

In turn some so called fans are slagging me off because I don't support a LOI team myself.

Hmmm....I personally would regard either of the above as @rseholes.

[bennocelt]

I don't support a LOI team - deal with it

but this sounds like the LOI is beneath you?

[mr.untitled]

The thing that bothers me, and it was evident at the weekend and will be evident again tonight, Is that when you are in a bar discussing football and someone asks you who you support..If the answer is an LoI club, there tends to be a bit of a 'sher then what would you know about real football' attitude. the irony is not lost on me. I have gotten desensitized to Ireland fans saying stuff like 'im not surprised, shure anelka has been playing great in the last few weeks for us' you can see how it might be a bit annoying.

[irishultra]

That's it, I'm becoming a Sandefjord (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandefjord_Fotball) fan. They even sound like where I'm from (Sandyford).

they mean the same thing. sandyford comes from sandefjord.

[redron]

There's a difference between being "a fan of the game in this sense" and being a supporter. I'm a fan of Barca's play, but I wouldn't consider myself a Barca supporter.

"Fan" is a much stronger term than "supporter". fan (http://www.askoxford.com/concise_oed/fan_2?view=uk) supporter (http://www.askoxford.com/concise_oed/supporter?view=uk)
Perhaps the term you are looking for is "admirer"! admirer (http://www.askoxford.com/concise_oed/admire?view=uk)

[TonyD]

I'm seriously embarressed for this country today. We are making ourselves look like pathetic moaning little bitches. So we got a bad refereeing call and lost, boo hoo. Even the Taoiseach getting involved ? Holy Cow.

[sonofstan]

I'm seriously embarressed for this country today. We are making ourselves look like pathetic moaning little bitches. So we got a bad refereeing call and lost, boo hoo. Even the Taoiseach getting involved ? Holy Cow.

Have to agree.

We all moan about this kind of thing, but we also know it happens all the time and you just get on with it. If there's serious grounds for suspecting actual corruption, it would be different, but really there isn't here.

As i said elsewhere, the reaction in France - going by l"Equipe and le Monde anyway - has been embarrassment and remorse, and a willingness to acknowledge the unfairness of what transpired. You just know if Keane had handled the ball into the net, we would be celebrating like mad, with nary a thought for the justice or otherwise of it. Our perpetual 'underdog' mentality would assure us that we somehow 'deserved' it.

[WoodquayBoy]

nor do I think Longford fans shag their sisters
They don't:eek: Are you sure???????????????????????????????
If Robbie Keane got away with any of his multiple handball offences, and scored, would we be calling him a cheat? No. If he hadn't missed that sitter, or Duff or O'Shea hadn't missed their sitters, it wouldn't matter anyway. If Paul 'car Crash' McShane had done his job properly, Henry would never have got the cross in. Moaning about it masks our own deficiencies

[dcfcsteve]

I'm seriously embarressed for this country today. We are making ourselves look like pathetic moaning little bitches. So we got a bad refereeing call and lost, boo hoo. Even the Taoiseach getting involved ? Holy Cow.

The Taoiseach geting involved was just painful political opportunism.

As if there was even a cat in hell's chance of the game being replayed.

Boo-hoo us....

[Acornvilla]

The Taoiseach geting involved was just painful political opportunism.

As if there was even a cat in hell's chance of the game being replayed.

Boo-hoo us....
whats worse is i had to look at that ugly wallrus' face shake as he complained :( horrible looking man!!
whats with our politicions being ugly? mary harney! health minister????? whens the last time she exercised? anyway rant over :)
wed probably loose the replay wouldnt mind the last 30 mins and penos played again :) mabe steven ried and innan would be fit?

[dcfcsteve]

whats worse is i had to look at that ugly wallrus' face shake as he complained :( horrible looking man!!
whats with our politicions being ugly? mary harney! health minister????? whens the last time she exercised? anyway rant over :)
wed probably loose the replay wouldnt mind the last 30 mins and penos played again :) mabe steven ried and innan would be fit?

True. If there was a replay we'd doubtless get gubbed.

Still - everyone's being talking about it, so it helps Cowan deflect attention for a day from the state of the country.

[jebus]

Did you ever look up the meaning of the word generalisation? A frankly baffling post. You are essentially saying because SOME Irish people support British clubs or Some Irish people like Munster Rubby or some Irish people have a penchant for Guinness, and then the catch all of, people who walk or vote that these things make the Irish horrible?

The rest of your post is just a lazy stereotype written by a guy who clearly feels life handed him a raw deal. Maybe if you stayed out of the company of the Irish who drink and shied away from the money grabbers you might start to feel better about yourself. Ddi you ever think that your post actually reflects on the people you associate in your own myopic microcosm rather than society at large.

For instance my friends and colleagues are humourous, intelligent gregarious people who don't need alcohol to enjoy themselves. The are principled people who will readioy stand up for what they believe in. Personally I have stood up to anyone or anything that would impinge negatively on my life, also I have a cracking personality and I am good craic with a few pints on board. Also I am a proud Irishman. How do you like dem apples?

Couldn't care less to be fair, read the first two lines, got bored, read the last line, was still bored and here I am