Unrest amongst the troops?
just reading through some of the posts here, and there seems to be quite a bit of unrest amongst the Irish supporters. Seems like everyone is looking for a reason to have a go at someone else. The most simple things are getting under peoples skins, Rovers supporters v everyone else, Folks getting upset with guys in leprechaun suits, getting mad at people writing messages on their flags, people not wearing ireland shirts to games, people wearing ireland shirts with the eircom logo on them AND SO ON.......
Not to get on my high horse, but seems like there were a few gobshi*es out in san marino that tried to change the mood for everyone else (my opinion after reading a variety of posts - I was not in san marino myself)
in any event, It all seems like behaviour more typical of our neighbors across the water.
With the exception of the Cyprus game in 2001, I havent been to an Ireland home game since 1994 (emigrated). i love supporting ireland, and I have been known to take flights within the US to cities that were televising ireland games. I was at every home game from 1986 to 1992(was in germany in 88, malta in 89, wembley in 91, Boston 3 times to see them - so i know what its like to support them - the good, the bad and the ugly!!). Back then though as bad as the ugly got, was if someone used bad language on the south terrace, they would get reprimanded with a swift ' watch your language ya dopey ****** ya - there are kids here"..
I happened to be in the englisH end in wembley in 91 (in my irish colours -with plenty of irish around, mind you!), and it was as bitter and nasty an environment I have encountered. (although I understand from speaking with fans that were there, that Windsor park in Nov 1993 was even worse). The one thing that always ade me proud though ws how the irish conducted themselves - home and away.
My point / question is this. Have we gotten that bad? was there trouble in san marino amongst the irish fans? Is the good natured Irish supporter still in the majority? sure seems like there are plenty of genuine fans on this forum - so i'm hoping you will tell me thats not the case!.
I completely understanding booing, wanting delaney, staunton, robbie keane etc held to task, but seems thing were worse than the norm.
Am coming home for wales and slovakia games (ticket or no ticket), but am just curious for the inside scoop beforehand. .