Rugby now more popular than football AND GAA?!

**paul_oshea** · 15/04/2011, 10:22 AM

Originally Posted by DannyInvincible

From personal experience, League of Ireland support can tend to get somewhat "cliquey", but maybe that's a natural consequence of seeing the same heads at the games every week; it would only be expected that bonds be formed. Note the whole "real football, real fans" thing, however. I think that's indicative of a superiority complex which could very easily make those perceived as "outsiders" somewhat uncomfortable. I suppose you could also view it as pride. In saying all that, when I first travelled to Derry away games, I travelled alone, for want of a better word, on buses with supporters' clubs of which I wasn't a member and where I might have vaguely known one or two people, if even, but had no problem joining in or being made feel like I was part of it all.

From experience in other minority little "communities" that clique is often the kernel of these groups. I suppose it just comes down to human nature at the end of the day, its almost evoluntionary, from the sense of survival. I used to go to a lot of gigs on my own, or to rock bars, and it was awful cliquey in those places, as it was the same faces the whole time and sticking together.

**Dodge** · 15/04/2011, 10:35 AM

Originally Posted by DannyInvincible

I think the United situation is somewhat different. When clubs become a plaything for profit on the global market - or a mere brand, in essence - they invariably lose what might be viewed as their local soul. The fans probably couldn't connect with the marketing ambitions of the club, nor with the celebrities who were now purporting to represent them on the field. When what was once your club in every way begins purchasing token South Koreans and selling Fred the Red lamp-shades en masse in Japan, it's probably high time you had a re-think of what it's really all about. The gentrification and sanitisation of top-flight English football has understandably put many die-hards off. All-seater stadia have killed the atmosphere at games and rising ticket prices have made it unaffordable for the old stalwart working-class fans to attend. English football is sold to the affluent middle-class nowadays. Its values no longer share anything in common with those with whom it was traditionally associated. See, for example, Wayne Rooney receiving a two-match ban for swearing into a camera during an explosion of energy after scoring a goal. I mean, seriously?

And yet Irish people have never had more of an interest in Man Utd and the EPL…

From personal experience, League of Ireland support can tend to get somewhat "cliquey", but maybe that's a natural consequence of seeing the same heads at the games every week; it would only be expected that bonds be formed. Note the whole "real football, real fans" thing, however. I think that's indicative of a superiority complex which could very easily make those perceived as "outsiders" somewhat uncomfortable. I suppose you could also view it as pride. In saying all that, when I first travelled to Derry away games, I travelled alone, for want of a better word, on buses with supporters' clubs of which I wasn't a member and where I might have vaguely known one or two people, if even, but had no problem joining in or being made feel like I was part of it all.

It can be cliquey alright, but it is built up over time. For instance I have mates that I only met through going to Pats games. Its not out of the ordinary to see the same people every week and become mates with them. None are closed shops though. If I know anything about football fans, the more people that they can argue with the better

Away travel absolutely helps.

I suppose most "established fans" don't mind just so long as you're supporting the club in some way. The real antipathy is reserved for those who seek to remain on the "outside", or, in other words, the infamous barstoolers.

I think this is a bit of a misnomer too. I don’t know anybody who cares about people who’ve no interest in the league. The only people I have a problem with, are the people who actively seek to mock and belittle Irish football.

Anyone who turns up at a game in Ireland is OK with me

**Charlie Darwin** · 15/04/2011, 11:39 AM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

From experience in other minority little "communities" that clique is often the kernel of these groups. I suppose it just comes down to human nature at the end of the day, its almost evoluntionary, from the sense of survival. I used to go to a lot of gigs on my own, or to rock bars, and it was awful cliquey in those places, as it was the same faces the whole time and sticking together.

That might be more to do with their reluctance to approach single men in bars...

**paul_oshea** · 15/04/2011, 12:35 PM

Ya I knew that might read like that

Well ive often gone into these places with other people too

**Stuttgart88** · 15/04/2011, 12:49 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

The only people I have a problem with, are the people who actively seek to mock and belittle Irish football.

Like Irish Times journalists who prefer GAA but think a dig at Irish football - all aspects of it - is clever.

**Charlie Darwin** · 15/04/2011, 12:53 PM

Not so sure said journalist is doing too much laughing these days.

**Stuttgart88** · 15/04/2011, 12:54 PM

I'm away at moment and heard a rumour. It's public knowledge obviously.

**Charlie Darwin** · 15/04/2011, 12:56 PM

Yep. Some Shamrock Rovers fans taking far too much glee from it, unfortunately.

edit: although as far as I know it's yet to be reported by the newspaper of record

**Eminence Grise** · 15/04/2011, 1:07 PM

It got the briefest of mentions.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/...294483022.html

More lurid details are all over the internet.

**Macy** · 15/04/2011, 1:16 PM

Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

edit: although as far as I know it's yet to be reported by the newspaper of record

All media are being very careful, as should here may I suggest? This thread would've been long binned on politics.ie, who seem to be going completely over the top considering what has been in print (eg The Herald have had it front page as far as I'm aware)

**Dodge** · 15/04/2011, 1:17 PM

There's been plenty of stories about a "prominent sports journalist" but none have named him. it is pretty much common knowledge

**paul_oshea** · 15/04/2011, 1:20 PM

Becoming mental is a great way of avoiding prosecution these days it seems....

**Dodge** · 15/04/2011, 1:37 PM

Or at least avoiding being interviewed.

Won't be long before one of the Tabloids breaks ranks anyway

**Kingdom** · 15/04/2011, 2:12 PM

Thankfully nothing here that hasn't been in the media so far. The Herald printed so many clues the other day that if you were involved in the sport in the capital it was almost impossible not to come to the conclusion. Unfortunately the investigation stems into so many strands of that sport that the alleged offenders name will be circulated.

As dodge says, it's only a matter of time. some columns will be worth keeping an eye on.

**Dodge** · 15/04/2011, 2:17 PM

This thread certainly is a magical mystery tour. From TV ratings, to rugby v GAA v Irish international football, to the ills of the LOI, to the attitudes on Man U fans, to allegations about a hournalist. Mostly decent posts too.

For the record here's some of the other articles (including the herald)

http://www.independent.ie/national-n...t-2615428.html

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/ne...-15140735.html

http://www.herald.ie/national-news/c...e-2616629.html

**peadar1987** · 15/04/2011, 2:55 PM

Hehe, "hournalist"!

Someone else made a similar point to this a little earlier, but I think it is strange how some people won't go to LOI games on the grounds of the crowd being "a little cliquey" (Not addressed to you, Danny, even if I'm using your words), but are perfectly happy to go day-tripping to Old Trafford or the Emirates, where they are actively hated by a large chunk of the support.

**dublinred** · 15/04/2011, 3:18 PM

Delighted if it is who its rumoured to be , couldn't meet a bigger anti league of Ireland Galiban . One of his mates will probably leak his name in the media before the trial to try and get him off.

**Charlie Darwin** · 15/04/2011, 3:29 PM

Why would you be delighted about what is alleged to have happened and a family being torn apart? I couldn't care less if he was the biggest LOI hater in the world.

**paul_oshea** · 15/04/2011, 4:07 PM

Before I found out it was a sports Journalist the first person I thought of was a scruffy looking fella once married to an Irish singer. Is that wrong?

Well said CD some awful gomies support the LOI.

**Dodge** · 15/04/2011, 4:18 PM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

Well said CD some awful gomies support the LOI.

GTF! One bloke, who happens to be a fan of a LOI supporter.

And now we all think the same. Even though the first guy to put him right was a fan of a LOI club.