Quote
Some people do, including you (it would seem), since you are taking the trouble to read this thread then post in it...Originally Posted by jinxy lilywhite
Think of it this way: the traditional home of Irish football is in that place which is now known as Northern Ireland. Anyone who doesn't/can't/won't recognise the concept of NI, may substitute "Belfast".
Not quite. The earliest date which anyone can definitely put a finger on is 20th September 1879 when John McCredy McAlery is recorded as having founded a football club in the north Belfast district of Cliftonville.
Of course, it is possible that another football club(s) was founded even earlier, but if so, I'd say Limavady is a more likely bet than Rathlin Island or east Clare...
The influence of the British Army, including of course, Irish Regiments, in first bringing football to certain parts of Ireland is undoubtedly correct.
However, the proximity and interaction between North East Ulster and Scotland, where the game developed very early, was also responsible for bringing the game to this island from the earliest days of the game.
Additionally, the habit of long established Cricket clubs deciding to take up the newly codified game of football, in order to give themselves something to do during the winter, was also one of the earliest influences. And, of course, Cricket is/was also traditionally stronger in the north of the island than most other parts of Ireland.
The Hatchetmen won 3-1 down in Longford, and it seems a good time was had by all:
"CRUSADING
Saturday afternoon last and there were some really strange sights out Flancare way. At first it looked like Longford Town were playing Longford Town but the tang of the accents were a give away.
Crusaders were down from Belfast for a friendly and since the have the exact same strip, the Town played in their away gear. But the strangeness didn't end there. Playing at the back was Aron Callaghan and in midfield there was Vinny Perth. The pace may be gone but the accuracy of his passes and the tenacity of his atckling was still clearly evident.
The rest of the team was made up largely of U20s hopefuls and even one talented sixteen year old. The Malones did a super job on the sidelines with their flags and never once did they make a wrong decision !Archie Bell though went AWOL from his post at the gate and lost thousands in revenue as punters had no option but to climb over the turnstiles to watch the action.
Every club is rightly proud of its hard core support but what the Crusaders Supprters' Club .
They arrived at the grounds two hours early and then returned after a tour of the town, hung up their banners , took up position in the stand and sang happily all afternoon long. The last time a team from the north visited we had the riot squad on stand by, Garda dogs, a Garda van with cctv and even an eye in the sky. This time, there wasn't even a word about the entire affair. Changed times.
By the way, just in case you want to know the link between ourselves and Crusaders...Aron Callaghan soldiered up there for a while while he a wandering minstrel"
http://www.ltfc.ie/news/article/?id=...a-e83240c3cf90
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