Barstool facepalm

[Charlie Darwin]

"Does your telly know you're here?" got another outing today, not sure if the TV cameras would have picked it up though. The Liverpool fans took the game ridiculously seriously. They were celebrating goals like they were playing against a side remotely on their level.

[Straightstory]

These type of games are just embarrassing. 40,000 Irish people turning up to support an English team against an Irish side. And you can bet these same people will be cheering on every team who play against England in the World Cup.
Oh, the confusion, hypocrises and paradoxes of being Irish.

[nigel-harps1954]

These type of games are just embarrassing. 40,000 Irish people turning up to support an English team against an Irish side. And you can bet these same people will be cheering on every team who play against England in the World Cup.
Oh, the confusion, hypocrises and paradoxes of being Irish.


Actually speaking to a fella yesterday who said he's not bothered that Ireland aren't in the World Cup now because he can cheer on England without feeling bad about it.

At least he's honest.

[Stuttgart88]

These type of games are just embarrassing. 40,000 Irish people turning up to support an English team against an Irish side. And you can bet these same people will be cheering on every team who play against England in the World Cup.
Oh, the confusion, hypocrises and paradoxes of being Irish.
In Bellamys pub in Ballsbridge after we beat Holland 1 nil the English 5-1 over Germany was on telly and a small group of green-wearing Ireland fans were cheering every Michael Owen goal like it was one of ours. So, I'd say there are at least 4 people out there who could cost you that bet:)

But yes, I think somebody should commission research into the mentality of the Irish football fan. I read a paper a while back describing the "typology" of football fans in general and what motivates fans to support teams. It wouldn't be stuff you don't instinctively know but at the same time the marketing industry needs to spell it out clearly so they can price and place the product to fit.

[CrowdedHouse]

This crap on extratime.ie deserves a mention here

http://www.extratime.ie/newsdesk/articles/12243/who-to-support-in-the-league-of-ireland-a-guide-for-uk-football-supporters/

[Stuttgart88]

I only speed read that. Initially I thought the comparisons were benign and it was all a bit of fun, but comparing a genuinely community-rooted club like Sligo to Chelsea is an insult to decent football fans anywhere on the planet. World football needs more Sligos and far fewer Chelseas.

[NeverFeltBetter]

Shams have had "a long spell in the doldrums"? Two and a half years without a title, yeah, terrible drought altogether.

[pineapple stu]

You may recall the period before that?

[Charlie Darwin]

You may recall the period before that?
I don't. Somebody mentioned some lad called Larry Kilgallon the other day but to be honest it's all a blur.

[geysir]

Out of the doldrums and into............... Tallaght.

[Charlie Darwin]

Out of the doldrums and into............... Tallaght.
Lovely part of the world.

[ArdeeBhoy]

At least it's on the Southside...

[bluewhitearmy]

This bit about Drogs

who often struggle for recognition in the shadow of their more illustrious neighbours in the capital.



​Wasn't aware they had moved.

[Macy]

I don't. Somebody mentioned some lad called Larry Kilgallon the other day but to be honest it's all a blur.
It's good that you've been able to (car) park it.

[BonnieShels]

Wrote this the last day after a row with the denizens of Krank who thought I was some sort of elitist for my annoyance that they declared that the "season" was over.

I toned down my real thoughts to avoid alienation of course.



The End of the Soccer Season?
So it’s the end of the football season. All the Arsenal fans are celebrating an FA Cup win and Manchester City fans have a league title in their back pocket, and this one was won on points no less!

Barcelona fans are crying into their coffee and churros at a title lost in dramatic fashion. Atletico Madrid fans are gearing up for a league and European Cup double or in the case of Real Madrid they are finally in touching distance of La Décima.

Juventus fans are basking in the glory of a record breaking season and Bayern Munich fans have a league and German Cup double despite boring us into submission with Pep’s tiki-taka. I’m sure I could say something about Netherlands, Portugal and Scotland too, but let’s be honest, most Irish football fans probably don’t really care about them. The SPL, sorry SPFL is nothing without the Old Firm derby and even then that’s just an advertisement for al that is glorious about sectarianism.

So until June 12th when the World Cup begins in Brazil there’s no soccer on anywhere.

Or is there?

There is plenty of soccer out there – and it’s in Ireland! Live soccer, in stadia, which aren’t too far from your home. Live football matches that don’t require a trip to the city or town in question by plane or ferry. Live soccer matches with young Irish talent at the core of most squads.

What more can you ask for? You’re a football fan. Go watch some football!

Now, the stadium seats aren’t as plush as your leather corner sofa nor will Martin Tyler or Alan Smith get to call the plays in your ear. There’s no cover if it starts to rain in some grounds. And you will have to deal with a crappy tannoy. But that’s the joy of live sport. It’s the joy that people all over Europe have week in and week out going to live local sport to see local heroes playing for their local team

And then there’s the visiting grounds and towns you may not ordinarily see or visit. Seeing players as they rise in stature from young mites to international players; it’s a sight I tell you. Remember Séamus Coleman at Sligo, James McClean at Derry or even Kevin Doyle and Shane Long at Cork? No? Why ever not? They were playing every week and they were travelling all over the country too, for your delectation. Now they ply their trades in another country. But there’s a new generation you should get out to see.

The English season starts in the middle of August. So that gives you thirteen or so weeks to get out there and see some local talent and experience some local sport. Don’t worry, Manchester United or Liverpool won’t feel hard done by if you have a sneaky trip to Turner’s Cross or Tallaght Stadium or The Showgrounds. But do give it a bash – You won’t regret it.


http://www.krank.ie/category/opinions/end-soccer-season/

[legendz]

Well written, fair play!

[nigel-harps1954]

But why is the photo a half built Tallaght stadium on there? Could they not have a picture of a full Jodi in Dalymount, or Shed End in Turners Cross, or an aerial shot of the Showgrounds? Otherwise..good job.

[BonnieShels]

Yeah. I asked them to change that. Seems one of the admins just picked first picture available on wiki commons.

EDIT: Pic now changed and of a more vibrant nature.

[desaintsno.12]

Wrote this the last day after a row with the denizens of Krank who thought I was some sort of elitist for my annoyance that they declared that the "season" was over.

I toned down my real thoughts to avoid alienation of course.



http://www.krank.ie/category/opinions/end-soccer-season/

Yet again favouritism towards Shams. why not Richmond Park. sick of this

[Stuttgart88]

I was watching an interview with Vincent Kompany on SKY Sports News Yestwerday. He was at Belgium's training camp in Anderlecht(?) and could quite reasonably be expected to be asked questions on Belgium's world cup chances and preparations. Instead he had to put up with a very tenacious and, quite frankly, ridiculous line of questioning about Yaya Toure and his birthday cake that lasted far longer than it should have.

That's symptomatic of everything wrong with football in the anglosphere though. The EPL's media tentacles are everywhere. There is no escaping it.

[nigel-harps1954]

The EPL's media tentacles are everywhere. There is no escaping it.

It's an unfortunate and cruel reality for the rest of football in most parts of the world. The EPL is commercially the biggest league in the world and being near neighbours of it's product means we'll simply never, ever compete with it.

[TheBoss]

I was watching an interview with Vincent Kompany on SKY Sports News Yestwerday. He was at Belgium's training camp in Anderlecht(?) and could quite reasonably be expected to be asked questions on Belgium's world cup chances and preparations. Instead he had to put up with a very tenacious and, quite frankly, ridiculous line of questioning about Yaya Toure and his birthday cake that lasted far longer than it should have.

That's symptomatic of everything wrong with football in the anglosphere though. The EPL's media tentacles are everywhere. There is no escaping it.

The English have some sort of fascination with Kompany in any event. Practically interviewed after every single City game on Match of the Day and even Sky Sports/ITV interview him an awful lot too.

[BonnieShels]

But we aren't looking to compete with them directly. We just want people to realise that the LOI exists.

[legendz]

Was part of the lamented and majority criticised genesis league report - that the league should be rebranded? On the point of wanting people knowing it exists, league's have been known to rebrand. There's a few premier named leagues around. Probably nothing but something to ponder. Hard to see the FAI marketing the league majorly anyways. I suppose the time they took over would have been the opportunity if appropriate.

[Mr A]

The Asterisk League of Ireland.

[legendz]

The Asterisk League of Ireland.
lol, I was expecting some comment!

[1 9 2 8]

http://www.ultras-tifo.net/news/2586-modern-football-in-ireland.html

[El-Pietro]

thats a terrible article. It's poorly written for a start, and it's exactly the kind of thing we should be avoiding.

[Bosco]

Agreed....painful to read...

[dong]

That is dire stuff alright.

[BonnieShels]

thats a terrible article. It's poorly written for a start, and it's exactly the kind of thing we should be avoiding.

The first sentence hurt very much.

I'm outta hear to write something more coherent. Again.

[Charlie Darwin]

The first sentence hurt very much.

I'm outta hear to write something more coherent. Again.
Ha! Hoist with your own petard. How droll.

[BonnieShels]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xECUrlnXCqk
Ha! Hoist with your own petard. How droll.

Thats the joke.

[Sean South]

thats a terrible article. It's poorly written for a start, and it's exactly the kind of thing we should be avoiding.
I think the site is ran by a Croatian guy. Most the "articles" on it are always very poor, but it's a very good site for showing what happens around Europe.

[Charlie Darwin]

Just having a goo of the Manchester United thread over on boards: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057204626&page=469

Somebody posted about how "on this day" in 1968 United won their first European Cup and a picture of Bobby Charlton lifting the cup. Got a couple of likes, but was lost in the midst of the debate about how well the Glazers had done in growing commercial revenues in comparison to their rivals in England and Europe. Modern football in a nutshell, really.

[Charlie Darwin]

This makes for interesting reading: http://www.socceramerica.com/article/47731/why-is-mls-kowtowing-to-the-eurosnobs.html

[ger121]

As does this: http://thescore.thejournal.ie/pub-fan-1607215-Aug2014/

[marinobohs]

http://www.ultras-tifo.net/news/2586-modern-football-in-ireland.html

...poor article that does not stand up to any scrutiny. Should Bohs/Pats/Shels fans turn out to support Shams in a friendly simply because they are nearer of two teams ? maybe but highly unlikely in any football jurisdiction.


Only last season Everton fans could barely cheer on their own side (V Man City) because a win would benefit Liverpool - and that in the shining light that is the EPL. Have also seen 'away' European team (playing Man U or Liverpool) scarves on sale at Goodison and Ethiad so that Everton/ man City fans could 'support' away team.


Find the barstoolers that turn out for these friendlies a bit sad but far from unique to Ireland

[bennocelt]

...poor article that does not stand up to any scrutiny. Should Bohs/Pats/Shels fans turn out to support Shams in a friendly simply because they are nearer of two teams ? maybe but highly unlikely in any football jurisdiction.


Only last season Everton fans could barely cheer on their own side (V Man City) because a win would benefit Liverpool - and that in the shining light that is the EPL. Have also seen 'away' European team (playing Man U or Liverpool) scarves on sale at Goodison and Ethiad so that Everton/ man City fans could 'support' away team.


Find the barstoolers that turn out for these friendlies a bit sad but far from unique to Ireland

I met two Basel natives supporting Chelsea against FC Basel. Its mad alright

[marinobohs]

I met two Basel natives supporting Chelsea against FC Basel. Its mad alright

....total minnowism and the local fans should be embarrassed but unfortunately a prevalent factor the world over

[Charlie Darwin]

As does this: http://thescore.thejournal.ie/pub-fan-1607215-Aug2014/
Just saw that this morning. You'd despair.

[Yossarian]

Just saw that this morning. You'd despair.

I assumed when I saw the headline that it was gonna be a ****take article. How wrong I was!

[BonnieShels]

As does this: http://thescore.thejournal.ie/pub-fan-1607215-Aug2014/

As painful as that was to read and as bad as the comments were also to read... My ire was mostly reserved for the use of pictures:

http://c3.thejournal.ie/media/2014/08/general-view-of-a-heineken-bar-in-semple-stadium-630x415.jpg

http://c3.thejournal.ie/media/2014/08/general-view-of-a-heineken-bar-in-semple-stadium-630x415.jpg

In that useless post they managed to post a bar from Semple Stadium... could they not find a picture of a bar from a pub? FFS! I despair!

I copped the "Fir" in the toilet sign of the top left and that was that. Morons.

[Straightstory]

As I always say - Ireland is the worst country in Europe to be a football fan. Uh....

[thischarmingman]

I thought some of you might find some interesting parallels here. The match he talks about finished 3-2 to Juventus:


Their 3-2 loss, which came on the back of two late goals within five minutes of each other, in reality, was almost one of the greatest upsets we have seen in Australian football. This is a side who have been assembled for the best part of a week, who had the audacity to play an attacking brand of football against Juventus, the Serie A giants, champions over the last three seasons in one of the best football leagues in the world.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/aleague-all-stars-fight-valiantly-against-juventus-20140810-102kbn.html#ixzz3A8b0k0Hl

Here's the interesting article:

http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/aug/11/a-league-all-stars-juventus

Brian is an Arsenal fan, even though he lives in Newtown and he’s never actually been to Highbury or the Emirates Stadium. Brian was also a Barcelona fan for a few seasons, and he went through a Palmeiras phase after that two-for-one sale at the Adidas Originals store. He doesn’t care much for the local game, so you do your best to explain.

[brendy_éire]

Along a similar vein, we have a German fella staying with us at present, he's from Bremen but supports Bayern München.
Same country, granted, but the guts of 600km distance.

Supporting non-local teams happens more than we probably imagine.

[Louth4sam]

Does he support his local side too?

Mate of mine from Vigo supporters Barcelona but also his hometown club. He says it's very common for Spanish people to support their own club and one of the big two.

[brendy_éire]

Does he support his local side too?

Nope. And it's not like Werder Bremen are a small team or anything.

[marinobohs]

The 'fans' that annoy me the most are the clowns that, never having been to Manchester, Liverpool, London etc, still insist on using 'we' to describe an EPL team :mad: really makes me want to bludgeon them to death with the nearest TV. Usually resist the urge to kill (no guarantee of future performance ;) as the banks say) but have to ask if their name is Glazer, Henry or Abramovich.

........its the little things that keep you sane(ish)

[desaintsno.12]

the "we" stuff gets me everytime.
Also when Irish liverpool and united"fans" call one another mancs and scousers. Makes me want to throw up all over them