I thought I’d pop this up. It’s an article I wrote for ‘The Commune’ in the UK, when asked to give a brief overview of the beautiful game in Ireland. Some of you may enjoy it.
The Beautiful Game In Ireland: A Story Of Neglect.
June 24, 2011 by Donal
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As a true LOI fan this sums up my feelings . I support the Hoops and my Mam supports Pats. Both of us are northsiders. But something about LOI has both of us hooked . I have gone to Cliftonville and Lisburn social clubs and received an equal welcome in both establishments. Grass roots is where its at, no to modern football. Hear Hear .
Last night I was at Turners’ Cross for the Blues game (a Waterford boy living in Cork city) and it was absolute magic, not least cos we won! It’s a rare home game that I miss and it’s precisely because it has a community feel. I know most of the faces at the matches, and it all happens 10mins down the road from me. The FAI cares so little about the domestic game though and its so depressing that they don’t take more care to look after the domestic game, and frankly if that were to fall away… well it doesn’t bear thinking about!
Heartfult piece but I thought it came across as bit defensive regarding the media (crap TV coverage, TV3 hysteria).
I dunno the audience for “The Commune” but if it’s a UK title, it could’ve just as easily have talked about watching the blossoming of Keith Fahey, Kevin Doyle and Seamus Coleman. With emphasis on Fats of course!
Lovin’ the passion though, looking forward to the next article.
True Nightdub, good point. One of my favourite aspects of this league is being able to tell people you’ve seen Kevin Doyle, Keith Fahey and the like on a West Dublin pitch!
Load of old bollix really… As per usual over romanticising the “working class” schtick that comes with the LOI… The true faithful, mother o’god, those aren’t chips on their shoulders, they’re 2x4s…
I’ve been to many an LOI game and I’d probably be regarded as middle class by the likes of you but that’s the whole point, it’s this self regarding bullshit where the fans feel the bizarre need to self categorise and identify and ignore the actual substance on the pitch… It’s the same with GAA, it’s the same with rugby, it might be peculiarly Irish… I’m not sure English fans are all that interested in such treatise…
There’s an old book I have on the shelf called: “Passovotchka” about a touring Russian side playing in England pre World War II… It was when Lenin believed that Communist ethics would endow their footballers with a significant advantage… There are far too many mired in this ill fated romanticism of the past who seek to mix their sport with politics incessantly…
A goal is a goal is a goal…