For me Personally I'd take Ireland in rugby, followed by my country in Football, followed by the soccer world cup.
I know a lot of people will wholeheartedly disagree with my reasoning but hopefully you'll at least respect it and not go nuts disputing it!
So here it is.
I don't feel the soccer lads represent me or my country very well. None of them live in this country, most of them will continue not living in this country after their careers are finished and a sizable chunk of them aren't Irish at all and simply play for us as a convenient means for them to get international soccer.
Growing up I had to deal with the starts of our Irish team having English accents such as Townsend, Cascarino, Aldridge etc. And it confused me a lot, it gave out the message that we weren't good enough and needed the dregs of Britain to compete.
Not to mention the likes of Stephen Ireland, Joey O Brien, Dean Kiely and Andy O Brien and how they've disrespected the shirt in recent times. It doesn't make me proud in the least to follow them.
Conversely the rugby side does have everyone living in the country, they are legitimate Irish people living in the community and they more than capable of competing with anyone in the world being european champions both at club and international level at the moment. It's something to be proud to support.
Bookmarks