Barstool facepalm

[wonder88]

Only Bertie goes anymore, Pat Kenny, Bill Cullen, Dave Fanning, Marian Finucane etc have all stayed away recently. Since there is no Man U player in the squad I suppose this is expected. If we could get Stephen Ireland back maybe some of the fans might return. I would still say Ireland has a solid base of supporters, approx 25-30k and when the Irish are living abroad they do get behind the nation team more (same is true with GAA). It is clear I think that most Manchester Utd fans who were not born in Lancaster or Cheshire support them because they win nearly all their games. This is not the case with Ireland in recent years so it is no surprise that these Irish fans do not go to Lansdowne anymore. Same is true about those who go to All-Ireland finals to support their county having not been to any other game that year. Last year people sitting beside me at the All-Ireland left 15 minutes before the end, despite it being very difficult to source tickets for it.

[peadar1987]

It's all about success at the end of the day. In 1997, I doubt there was such a thing as an Irish Man City fan. The closest it came was an ABU. The people who pretend otherwise are deluded. The Roy Keane fanboys who buy the shirt of whatever new managerial role he's offered are worse than deluded.

[pineapple stu]

It's all about success at the end of the day. In 1997, I doubt there was such a thing as an Irish Man City fan.

I actually knew one. Still know him; he's still a Man City fan. Remember watching the Division Two play-off final with him, I think.

[peadar1987]

I actually knew one. Still know him; he's still a Man City fan. Remember watching the Division Two play-off final with him, I think.

There are always exceptions. There's still no good reason for there to exist an Irish Stoke fan!

[PartySaint]

If we could get Stephen Ireland back maybe some of the fans might return

It would probably have the opposite affect if any.

[Charlie Darwin]

Only Bertie goes anymore, Pat Kenny, Bill Cullen, Dave Fanning, Marian Finucane etc have all stayed away recently.

And you reckon the average Irish punter is following the lead of his heroes, like Marian Finucane and Bertie Ahern? Dave Fanning is a UCD fan, for the record.

[pineapple stu]

Dave Fanning is a UCD fan, for the record.

True, though haven't seen him at a game for years. He used to pop in on Sunday afternoons after 2TV. When we moved to Fridays, that changed.

[peadar1987]

True, though haven't seen him at a game for years. He used to pop in on Sunday afternoons after 2TV. When we moved to Fridays, that changed.

Maybe he sits in one of the other stands

[bullit]

Don't know if this is relevant to the debate but I noticed at the start of the chelsea-wigan game on rte that there was a banner that read ' Dundalk blues'. The mind boggles.

it seems that flag is permanently in the ground (and for a long time too).Even on a 'tour visit' in an empty stadium @ Stamford Bridge, it is always there.Indeed,Chelsea themselves could be responsible for the banner but most likely a Chelsea fan from Dundalk who lived in London in the 70/80/90's.Or a mix of the two.

[bluemovie]

There are always exceptions. There's still no good reason for there to exist an Irish Stoke fan!

At least two of Waterford United's staunchest supporters are big Stoke fans! Nothing to do with the current long throws and lump-kicking, they would both go back to the 70s/early 80s and both travel to a lot of Stoke games. Some of our other fans would be very regular EPL attendees. I don't mind that - it's the 'check the scores on Sunday' types who would never attend a live game and sneer at the League of Ireland that kill me. I admire any English fan who sticks with their local team even if they also like a big club, e.g. someone from Southport following Liverpool, but also going to their Conference games. That makes sense to me. The more football you see the better. Unfortunately, in Ireland, that tradition isn't as strong and it seems perfectly acceptable to be "a massive football fan" and never actually go to a game - all of which is legitimised by almost every aspect of our media.

[marinobohs]

It's all about success at the end of the day. In 1997, I doubt there was such a thing as an Irish Man City fan. The closest it came was an ABU. The people who pretend otherwise are deluded. The Roy Keane fanboys who buy the shirt of whatever new managerial role he's offered are worse than deluded.

Anyone for the last of the Sunderland jerseys (circa 2010) ? Going cheap and lots to choose from. Saw a survey in some English mag that 80% plus of Chelsea ' fans' were not Chelsea fans 10 years ago, shows the glory hunter mentality alive and well.

Reason the 'Irish supporter numbers are in decline is (1) we are a crap team (2) prices, especially for friendlies are far too dear (although this has improved) (3) the non atmosphere of the day trippers delight that constitutes matchday now is offputting to any footie fan (5) John Delaney / Trap / FAI

The Ole Ole brigade that were so lauded in Poland last summer have disappeared back to Bogball/ rugby or whatever the latest trend is.

[peadar1987]

At least two of Waterford United's staunchest supporters are big Stoke fans! Nothing to do with the current long throws and lump-kicking, they would both go back to the 70s/early 80s and both travel to a lot of Stoke games. Some of our other fans would be very regular EPL attendees. I don't mind that - it's the 'check the scores on Sunday' types who would never attend a live game and sneer at the League of Ireland that kill me. I admire any English fan who sticks with their local team even if they also like a big club, e.g. someone from Southport following Liverpool, but also going to their Conference games. That makes sense to me. The more football you see the better. Unfortunately, in Ireland, that tradition isn't as strong and it seems perfectly acceptable to be "a massive football fan" and never actually go to a game - all of which is legitimised by almost every aspect of our media.

Haven't you heard? Delap's gone off to Barnsley, no long throws for Stoke any more!

Anyway, Stoke are far better than we used to be, at home at least. Away from the Brit we're unrelentingly horrible to watch. I really wish Stephen Nzonzi had an Irish granny!

[Charlie Darwin]

The Ole Ole brigade that were so lauded in Poland last summer have disappeared back to Bogball/ rugby or whatever the latest trend is.

They'll be reeling after yesterday. Couple of Dublin GAA games coming up in Croke Park to keep them occupied. They might get Jedward in again if they're lucky.

[BonnieShels]

They'll be reeling after yesterday. Couple of Dublin GAA games coming up in Croke Park to keep them occupied. They might get Jedward in again if they're lucky.

Now now.

[wonder88]

They'll be reeling after yesterday. Couple of Dublin GAA games coming up in Croke Park to keep them occupied. They might get Jedward in again if they're lucky.

Agree, especially after the Dubs win in Killarney. But the lack of support for the Dublin hurlers show how difficult it is to attract the Ole Ole's. Prices still have to come down, be on par with cinema etc to get some of the lost fans back. It is unbelieveable that tickets are 15euro in Tallagh tonight. Same is true for a lot of GAA games, they have lost touch with who their target market should be. Rugby does not have to worry, as their support base are doing just fine these days. Noticed M Fingleton purchased 6 IRFU season tickets just before he resigned at his building society which the Irish state is kindly paying for.

[marinobohs]

They'll be reeling after yesterday. Couple of Dublin GAA games coming up in Croke Park to keep them occupied. They might get Jedward in again if they're lucky.

Whatever do you mean Charlie ? Everyone knows there is no bogball until summer

[sligoman]

Us from Glasgow rumoured to be playing we from Liverpool in Lansdowne in August. ARGHHHH

[gufcfan]

Us from Glasgow rumoured to be playing we from Liverpool in Lansdowne in August. ARGHHHH

So, what you're saying is, they're playing with themselves?

[marinobohs]

So, what you're saying is, they're playing with themselves?

WOW ! a real local derby - Liverpool Oirish V Celtic moreOirish all we need now is decent directions to help the fans find Lansdowne

[ped_ped]

Not so much facepalm as experts on a league after three games, but -

Overheard in a Limerick Chipper:

"Were you out at the match?"

"I was - unfortunately. [laughing] Pure sh!te altogether. Only drew. Against 10 men. Bloody waste of time. Saw them on the telly against Cork as well - no bloody score. And was watching Shelbourne against Shamrock Rovers the week after - another fcuking scoreless draw! The League of Ireland has no finishers, y'see."