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Replying To KillingFields:  "why wouldnt you?
would be fantastic to have 2 teams from this island in the tournament. wierd to be so down on them"
I support the team that draws players from all 32 counties of the island and are proud to represent that nation. The other team on the island has players that are proud to play for that particular small pocket of the island and fair play to them for doing so. I have no interest in supporting that team, as it is hypocritical. Why would I want another nation to do as well as my own nation?

alalalalalum (USA) - Posts: 98 - 17/11/2025 12:01:38    2644998

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Comparing a friendly win on Saturday night to the magical events that transpired in Budapest yesterday is hilarious. For a small pocket of fans though it probably has more meaning than yesterday in Budapest, and that is their right even though it is baffling.

There is imo simply no comparison. You will see no videos for rugby games like the ones doing the rounds last night and today of the sheer joy of Irish people in bars around the world. Rugby will never have that hold on the majority of Irish people.

alalalalalum (USA) - Posts: 98 - 17/11/2025 12:05:45    2644999

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Replying To Lockjaw:  "Away from the rugby talk for a minute, I think it's absolutely fantastic that the Irish football team have restored a bit of pride and interest. Look - there's still a lot of work to do to qualify, we know that. But it's still nice to savour two brilliant victories. My young fella has already updated his Santa list from wanting an Mbappe Real Madrid jersey to wanting an Ireland shirt with Parrott on the back.

Growing up, we were so lucky to enjoy big tournaments that Ireland qualified for. I don't think anything else captivates the nation so much as when the Ireland team is involved in a major football tournament. The rugby lads do very well, but when football mania kicks in, it's a differeny story altogether."
An amazing few days for Irish soccer no doubt. I absolutely live for hurling, but was fortunate enough to be there when 10 man Ireland beat a star studded Dutch team in Lansdowne in 01 and that memory is very hard to beat. Yesterday and Thursday came close.

I don't remember Italia 90 but have all the tapes, remember 94, 02 and euros in 16. It's a very special feeling that brings everyone together in a totally unique way. My wife who has no interest in field sports was sobbing away during Parrott's interview, like Brady in 16.

Please God they do the business in march. A trip to the US would be magic, and a tonic to the forgotten sport on our island that's brought us a lot of joy over the years.

Doylerwex (Wexford) - Posts: 4032 - 17/11/2025 12:17:03    2645003

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Replying To Lockjaw:  "Away from the rugby talk for a minute, I think it's absolutely fantastic that the Irish football team have restored a bit of pride and interest. Look - there's still a lot of work to do to qualify, we know that. But it's still nice to savour two brilliant victories. My young fella has already updated his Santa list from wanting an Mbappe Real Madrid jersey to wanting an Ireland shirt with Parrott on the back.

Growing up, we were so lucky to enjoy big tournaments that Ireland qualified for. I don't think anything else captivates the nation so much as when the Ireland team is involved in a major football tournament. The rugby lads do very well, but when football mania kicks in, it's a differeny story altogether."
That's class. You'd forget there's a whole section of the young population that has never experienced Ireland doing well and the excitement it brings. We were spoiled growing up really. I hold my hands up, had big question marks over a few of those lads but they really redeemed themselves.

Obviously no international element to the GAA where you can get behind the a national team (not even going to pretend that farce Aussie rules plus Gaelic is worth watching) and rugby just does not come close to capturing the immagination or reaching every corner of the country. Bar the very staunch garrison sports people, most people from every county have played and followed soccer at some level, even at its most agricultural! There is no other sport that stirs national pride as much as the soccer team when they are competing with the best. As someone from a family and part of the country that has lost a lot of people to immigration, the pride and joy that brings the diaspora as well is phenomenal and can't be underestimated.

FullOfPorter (Roscommon) - Posts: 476 - 17/11/2025 12:24:47    2645005

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Replying To SouthGalway:  "Did the Ireland Rugby team no harm."
So Northern Ireland have an away Play Off v either Italy, Turkey, Poland or Ukraine!
The Republic of Ireland could be away to Scotland, Slovakia Cheq Republic or Wales.
If North Macedonia draw with Wales in last group game then the Republic could have home draw v either Kosovo, Bosnia, Albania or Wales.

katser (Galway) - Posts: 2751 - 17/11/2025 12:35:46    2645008

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Replying To Viking66:  "Who played in that game Barney? And was Liam McCarthy qualification or seeding affected by it? Big difference between challenge games and games which decide if you qualify for the World Cup at all, and what seed you are in the draw."
In fairness the Rugby PR department know how to promote these games, and fair play to them. The pyrotechincs before the game looked great and I'm sure added to the atmosphere.

Bon (Kildare) - Posts: 2588 - 17/11/2025 13:56:05    2645030

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Replying To katser:  "So Northern Ireland have an away Play Off v either Italy, Turkey, Poland or Ukraine!
The Republic of Ireland could be away to Scotland, Slovakia Cheq Republic or Wales.
If North Macedonia draw with Wales in last group game then the Republic could have home draw v either Kosovo, Bosnia, Albania or Wales."
Are we better off getting someone like Turkey who we'll be underdogs against but well capable of getting a result if its approached like the last two games? Favourites tag doesn't suit us and you'd nearly be afraid they'd revert back to how we approached Aremnia if we got the likes of Kosovo.

FullOfPorter (Roscommon) - Posts: 476 - 17/11/2025 13:59:43    2645031

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Replying To FullOfPorter:  "That's class. You'd forget there's a whole section of the young population that has never experienced Ireland doing well and the excitement it brings. We were spoiled growing up really. I hold my hands up, had big question marks over a few of those lads but they really redeemed themselves.

Obviously no international element to the GAA where you can get behind the a national team (not even going to pretend that farce Aussie rules plus Gaelic is worth watching) and rugby just does not come close to capturing the immagination or reaching every corner of the country. Bar the very staunch garrison sports people, most people from every county have played and followed soccer at some level, even at its most agricultural! There is no other sport that stirs national pride as much as the soccer team when they are competing with the best. As someone from a family and part of the country that has lost a lot of people to immigration, the pride and joy that brings the diaspora as well is phenomenal and can't be underestimated."
Yours is a very good post, with some balance.

supersub15 (Carlow) - Posts: 3310 - 17/11/2025 14:04:21    2645033

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Replying To zinny:  "Since you have never been involved in the sport, its no great surprise that you don't understand it. Its the same for any sport, players and supporters of that sport will always find reason to be more passionate about it than those looking on from the outside. However what object to is people making lazy comparisons to their own sport in a way to try and belittle the other sport.
Ask yourself a question - where was the last friendly game that Kildare had played? I guarantee you they didn't trave to Australia to play it. The world cup comes around once ever four years, A lot of sports you could argue ar the same in the Olympics would be seen as the top of the game, however do they stop trying to be the best they can be for the other 3years ? Everytime they go out they want to prove they are the best and be the best, that just doesn't happen in a world cup. SA are the best in the world not because they won a world cup but because of their consistency against all major teams."
SA rugby players have had failed dope tests too, since you're assessing why they're the best in the world there for a finish. Did you ever wonder why their forward packs are as 'consistently' strong as they are, for the last 60 years and more?

Pope_Benedict (Galway) - Posts: 4469 - 17/11/2025 14:23:06    2645035

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