Irish fans and the Paris experience

[paul_oshea]

ive had this discussion before but the football team of a country usually reflects the people of a country. That showed out in our case too last wednesday.

[Greenforever]

and I'd like to think that our players are a reflection of the Irish fans and that next time we won't be shafted by the opposition, the referee or FIFA.

Unfortunately as regards FIFA I wouldnt hold my breath, we need to avoid the big 5 in the group and also in a potential playoff to have any chance.

[Desyf]

http://www.facebook.com/chris.mcnult...&id=1056888159

Have my own pics of the trip up here. Have some videos which are YouTube-bound too in the very near future.

Some good 'uns in there.

[Mad Moose]

ive had this discussion before but the football team of a country usually reflects the people of a country. That showed out in our case too last wednesday.

God help the native souls of San Marino or Leictenstein then

On a serious note however I don't believe this to be the case at all. I don't think the French team accurately reflects the French people at all and I really don't think the Irish team accurately relflects us as a people. The two may have been as one on Weds night for example where both players and fans went about their roles with passion and enthusiasm. If you read a thread on this site on 'giving up on Ireland' I think you'll get a far better idea, certainly a more conclusive one, of where we are as a people and despite our performances, players and fans alike on Wednesday evening, it doesn't accurately reflect us as the people and country we have actually become.

[gufct]

Been to Paris well over 7 times used to love the place but i doubt ill ever return there. Not the result but the place has turned into one of the most nasty places i have ever been.I was mugged and robbed and never ever felt safe and would feel safer in Dublin than there which is a shocking statement.

Definitely the worst of all experiences i have had in over 20 yrs following the green army.

[EastTerracer]

I just remembered last night that I bumped into Pete Doherty (yes, he of Babyshambles and the Libertines) on the Boulevard St. Germain on the day before the match. We did ask him if he was going to the match but he didn't really answer. He looked quite dapper (suit and trilby) for a man who seems to live a life more hedonistic than Shane McGowan's. In fact, he looked a lot fitter and fresher than most of us Irish fans.

[Claret Murph]

Been to Paris well over 7 times used to love the place but i doubt ill ever return there. Not the result but the place has turned into one of the most nasty places i have ever been.I was mugged and robbed and never ever felt safe and would feel safer in Dublin than there which is a shocking statement.

Definitely the worst of all experiences i have had in over 20 yrs following the green army.

The main thing gufct is that you lived to tell the tail .

[Raheen]

In my 20 years of going to Ireland games, I have never felt so cheated. Just an observation, but after leaving the game I was reflecting on what had occurred, not just the handball but the match as a whole, and I realised that the French people deserve this French team. What I mean by this is that the French team are not popular within France as they are (accurately) perceived as arrogant and mentally weak with a propensity to start blaming each other as soon as things start to go badly. Considering the importance of the game, the French crowd were extremely poor and completely failed to get behind their team at any stage of the game. Instead they chose to sit there waiting to be entertained. It just made me realise that the French team is merely a reflection of the French fans and that they deserve each other. Ireland might not be going to the World Cup but we still have a team to be proud of. In the main we have an average bunch of players, in terms of ability, with a 3 or 4 very good players thrown in. The sum of our parts is much better than our ability as individuals. We have passion, unity and mental strength and I'd like to think that our players are a reflection of the Irish fans and that next time we won't be shafted by the opposition, the referee or FIFA.

I'm Irish and I live in Paris. I play football in Paris and I'm good friends with many France and French club football supporters.

Over the five days since the match I received nothing but goodwill from everyone around me. To a man, or woman, all French people are disgusted ashamed by what has happened. All media outlets, accross the full spectrum, speak in unsion, that Ireland were unfairly deprived of a place in South Africa.

The present France team do not reflect French football supporters, far from it. In past few years the national side has become more and more distant from the people, and what happened last Wednesday has driven a deeper wedge. The great majority of football supporters here no longer care about France, Domenech or Henry or how they get on in South Africa. It means nothing.

Those Irish supporters that were in the Stade returned home with their heads high and their pride intact. Likewise the players and management. You won huge respect last Wednesday and showed Paris, France and the football world what pride really means. We'll be back.....

Finally, to Gufct - I hope the head heals quickly.

[ccfcgirl]

I enjoyed the trip to France, I found French people very polite and loads stopped us to say sorry about what happened with Henry, I went out the night after the Ireland game in my home Cork City jersey, loads of Irish congradulated me about getting to the world cup ,the Cork city jersey was mistaken for an Algerian jersey.........Guft very nasty cut on your head , I hope it gets better soon

[Ronan85]

Been to Paris well over 7 times used to love the place but i doubt ill ever return there. Not the result but the place has turned into one of the most nasty places i have ever been.I was mugged and robbed and never ever felt safe and would feel safer in Dublin than there which is a shocking statement.

Definitely the worst of all experiences i have had in over 20 yrs following the green army.

That's terrible. Have to agree with you - the place has turned into a kip in recent years. I never felt safe there last week - the Algerians were intimidating.

[Mad Moose]

I've had a few trips to France in the last few years and this was the most time ever I spent in Paris and I have to say been Irish and recognised as Irish meant I was very much respected and liked.In fact french people were very polite, helpful and warm. For the day of the game I wore Irish colours and despite spending some of the day by myself (between early morning drinking and the Eiffel Tower meet up) I was treated with warmth and kindness.In fact while looking at my metro map a number of people even came over and asked if I was ok and one missed his metro (they are very frequent anyhow) while another checked I got off to change and was directing me where to go. I've put it down to the respect and fondness afforded Irish people whereever we go and despite speaking in english I think there's a recognition your Irish. I think without showing my nationality so openly and speaking English perhaps I might be treated differently.

We are very fortunate as a country that we are so revered. I have to say its a pity we cannot revere ourselves so much at home. I have said before my life in England is so much easier and happier than ever it was at home and I get away with alot more here because I am Irish. We just don't quite have that same respect for one another and for our identity at home.

I came away liking the french as much as I had before and you get what you give anywhere you go in life. To say a team reflects its people borders on the ridiculous really.

[paul_oshea]

I'm Irish and I live in Paris. I play football in Paris and I'm good friends with many France and French club football supporters.

Over the five days since the match I received nothing but goodwill from everyone around me. To a man, or woman, all French people are disgusted ashamed by what has happened. All media outlets, accross the full spectrum, speak in unsion, that Ireland were unfairly deprived of a place in South Africa.

The present France team do not reflect French football supporters, far from it. In past few years the national side has become more and more distant from the people, and what happened last Wednesday has driven a deeper wedge. The great majority of football supporters here no longer care about France, Domenech or Henry or how they get on in South Africa. It means nothing.

Those Irish supporters that were in the Stade returned home with their heads high and their pride intact. Likewise the players and management. You won huge respect last Wednesday and showed Paris, France and the football world what pride really means. We'll be back.....

Finally, to Gufct - I hope the head heals quickly.

Im sorry to be cynical, but i wonder what the real reasons are for this. The increase in popularity etc of right wing politics and politicians, and the general mood towards the north africans suggest that colour rather than anything else could be the real reason here.

[NeilMcD]

Was that you in a white hoood in Paris, Paul?

[Beavis]

I've had a few trips to France in the last few years and this was the most time ever I spent in Paris and I have to say been Irish and recognised as Irish meant I was very much respected and liked.In fact french people were very polite, helpful and warm. For the day of the game I wore Irish colours and despite spending some of the day by myself (between early morning drinking and the Eiffel Tower meet up) I was treated with warmth and kindness.In fact while looking at my metro map a number of people even came over and asked if I was ok and one missed his metro (they are very frequent anyhow) while another checked I got off to change and was directing me where to go. I've put it down to the respect and fondness afforded Irish people whereever we go and despite speaking in english I think there's a recognition your Irish. I think without showing my nationality so openly and speaking English perhaps I might be treated differently.

.

I had a similar experience last week.

My impression of French people was really bad after my year in Australia. I had a bad experience with a few French I lived with but was adamant that I wouldn't tar a whole nation with the same brush. As I travelled on though, I couldn't deny that of the countless people from countless countries the French were the only ones who were consistently unfriendly, rude and only interested in fraternising amonst themselves.

Paris last week was the opposite. The locals were always pleasant and helpful. I even forgot to pay one time and they apologised to me for having to ask me back. I was suprised by how many were offering their condolences and apologising for the manner of their win. I can't imagine that happening anywhere else.

After last week, I'll have to revise my original diagnosis of the entire French race. Just as the disrespectful antics of the kn*bs in San Diego aren't representative of the Irish people, maybe the French who go to Oz are just a particular unattractive category which shouldn't be generalised for the whole country. Or maybe they're just sound at a distance

[Raheen]

Im sorry to be cynical, but i wonder what the real reasons are for this. The increase in popularity etc of right wing politics and politicians, and the general mood towards the north africans suggest that colour rather than anything else could be the real reason here.

Some guidance perhaps....

[Paulie]

To say a team reflects its people borders on the ridiculous really.

Just to clarify, what I said is that the French team is a reflection of the French fans. That is distinct from the French people as a whole. In fact, like many others here, I found the French people to be very friendly, helpful and courteous.

GUFCT, sorry to hear about your mugging. I think though, had Algeria been beaten, there could have been much worse done to any number of people.

[stojkovic]

I think though, had Algeria been beaten, there could have been much worse done to any number of people.

When our match finished in Stade de France, I txted my mate to find out if Algeria had won fearful of what would happen if they hadnt.

[Mad Moose]

Just to clarify, what I said is that the French team is a reflection of the French fans. That is distinct from the French people as a whole. In fact, like many others here, I found the French people to be very friendly, helpful and courteous.

GUFCT, sorry to hear about your mugging. I think though, had Algeria been beaten, there could have been much worse done to any number of people.

No Paulie I was quoting the particular expert on everything generally who stated the following.

ive had this discussion before but the football team of a country usually reflects the people of a country.

[oconghc2]

still only coming to terms with the game now!!

Just want to thank 2 lads who sorted us out at the hostel when we were told there was no room left for one of our group! Killian & Colm. Cheers.

[Paulie]

No Paulie I was quoting the particular expert on everything generally who stated the following.

ive had this discussion before but the football team of a country usually reflects the people of a country.

Oh right. Humblest apologies etc. etc.