Personally, I find those people who refuse to use "Northern Ireland" and "Republic of Ireland" in football conversation to be similarly rude and obstreperous, sometimes politically malevolent, though just occasionally ignorant, as well.
And when they go to the trouble of typing out e.g. "the North" and "Ireland", when NI and ROI is so much quicker, then they are plain silly (imo).
There, I hope you didn't find that too condescending* ;)
* - If you need any more explanation, try
http://www.answers.com/topic/condescending