A Journey into Irish Football: Summary of Book Launch Talk

20/03/2025  -  12.03

Chris Lee

On 17 March 2025, St Patrick’s Day, I launched my new book, Shades of Green: A Journey into Irish Football, at an event at Dulwich Hamlet in South London. The event was co-hosted by the club and the Football and War Network with the support of independent bookseller Stanchion Books. Here’s a summary of my talk.

Why did I choose Ireland as a topic?

I don’t have a connection with Ireland beyond an apparent distant genetic connection to the west of the island. Rather, I chose the subject for several personal interest reasons.

My previous books, Origin Stories: The Pioneers Who Took Football to the World (2021) looked at the early history, while The Defiant: A History of Football Against Fascism (2022), looked at the sport as a political platform. Ireland can boast both a rich footballing heritage – it has one of the oldest football cultures – and it’s seen its fair share of politics, which appeals to me! 

There are some amazing old stadiums on the island of Ireland that transport you back in time, like The Oval, home of Glentoran in Belfast, or Bohemians’ Dalymount ground in Dublin, which I was privileged to visit before its planned refurbishment starting at the end of this season.

Also, both leagues – the Northern Ireland Football League (NIFL, or simply ‘Irish League’) and the League of Ireland in the Republic – are seeing attendances rise. The League of Ireland, in particular, is having a moment, driven partly by its social media-friendly ultra culture drawing people in, improving quality as younger players stay longer before moving to Britain, and growing disillusionment with the Premier League.

Chris Lee Enlightening the Audience on Football on the Island of Ireland. Source: Alex Wilson

Here's a summary of what we covered:

A brief history of football on the island of Ireland

Football arrived in Ireland in the 1870s, introduced through connections with Britain, mainly through military garrisons and Scottish workers in Belfast. The Irish Football Association (IFA) was established in 1880 and initially governed the sport across the entire island at this point.

However, football in Ireland faced resistance from Irish nationalists, who viewed it as a British import alongside rugby, cricket, and hockey. The Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA), founded in 1884, sought to promote indigenous Irish sports like Gaelic football and hurling. Despite this, football grew in popularity, especially in Belfast, which had strong links to the Scottish game and industry, while Dublin was slower to adopt it as it was more of an administrative centre and rugby was more popular initially.

The Split of 1921 That Created Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland

The political split of Ireland in 1921, which created Northern Ireland and the Irish Free State (later the Republic of Ireland), had a significant impact on football. The Irish Football Association (IFA), based in Belfast, had long dominated the sport, with most national team selections coming from the north. 

Growing frustration among southern clubs, particularly over fixture arrangements and representation, led to the formation of the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) in Dublin in 1921. This resulted in two separate football leagues: the Irish League in the six counties of Northern Ireland and the League of Ireland in the 26 counties of the new Irish Free State (now Republic of Ireland). 

FIFA eventually had to intervene in the 1950s to clarify team identities, designating ‘Northern Ireland’ and the ‘Republic of Ireland’ as separate national teams.

The fortunes of the national sides, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland

Northern Ireland saw success in the mid-late 20th century, qualifying for the World Cups in 1958, 1982, and 1986 and famously winning the final edition of the British Home Championship in 1984. However, their influence declined in later decades. The Republic of Ireland, under Jack Charlton’s management, enjoyed a golden era between 1988 and 1994, qualifying for major tournaments and reaching the World Cup quarter-finals in 1990. 

Both teams qualified for Euro 2016, marking the first time they appeared in a tournament together and both sets of fans were commended by UEFA for the great atmosphere they created. However, in recent years, both have struggled to maintain past glories, though they still command passionate support.

The cases of Belfast Celtic and Derry City

We discussed the fascinating story of Belfast Celtic, still one of the most successful teams in Northern Ireland, despite withdrawing from the Irish League in 1949 due to sectarian violence. The club never rejoined the league but remains a symbol of lost football heritage. 

Derry City, another club affected by sectarian tensions, was forced out of the Northern Irish league during the Troubles in the early 1970s. In 1985, they successfully applied to join the League of Ireland in the south, where they have since become a major force. For more, please read my recent Football and War post on football and sectarianism in Northern Ireland (https://www.wlv.ac.uk/research/research-centres/centre-for-historical-research/football-and-war-network/football-and-war-blog/2025/a-brief-history-of-football-and-sectarianism-in-northern-ireland/).

Groundhopping in the Irish League/NIFL

The Irish League (NIFL) is the second-oldest football league in the world, known for its historic clubs and traditional rivalries. Matches follow the British football calendar, with major derbies like the ‘Big Two’ clash between Linfield and Glentoran. 

Many stadiums, such as The Oval, the home of Glentoran and Cliftonville’s Solitude, retain an old-school charm, making them appealing to groundhoppers. Linfield, the most dominant team in the league, plays at Windsor Park, which also hosts the Northern Ireland national team. However, a lack of Sunday fixtures limits groundhopping opportunities over a single weekend.

Groundhopping the League of Ireland and its 'ultra culture'

The League of Ireland operates on a summer schedule, making it an attractive destination for fans looking for football outside the traditional European season. The league has seen a resurgence in attendance, with clubs like Bohemians and Shamrock Rovers developing strong supporter cultures. 

League of Ireland fans have really embraced a European-style ultra set-up, with vibrant tifos, pyro displays, and continuous chanting inspired by what they’ve seen in, say, Germany or Italy. Meanwhile, Bohemians, with their left-leaning supporter base, have gained international attention for their activism and community work.

Women's football in Ireland

Women’s football in Ireland is experiencing a rise in prominence. Northern Ireland’s women's team qualified for Euro 2022, while the Republic of Ireland reached their first-ever Women's World Cup in 2023. The history of women’s football in Ireland mirrors the global struggle for recognition, with early matches in the early 20th century being discouraged by authorities. 

Today, clubs like Shelbourne and Peamount United lead the development of the women's game, though attendance and investment levels still lag the men's leagues.

Irish pioneers abroad

Irish footballers and pioneers have made significant contributions to the game beyond their home country. Figures like Patrick O'Connell, who managed clubs in Spain, including FC Barcelona during the Spanish Civil War, played crucial roles in football history. In Argentina, Paddy McCarthy is credited with helping shape Boca Juniors’ early development, while clubs like Hibernian in Scotland were founded by Irish immigrants. 

The future of football across the island of Ireland

Football in Ireland is at a crossroads, with increasing attendance and growing international interest, particularly in the League of Ireland. However, issues such as inadequate facilities, inconsistent investment, and fixture scheduling challenges persist. 

The question of an all-Ireland league remains a topic of debate, with some advocating for a unified competition while others fear losing European qualification spots. The women’s game continues to grow but requires further structural support. 

Ultimately, the sport on the island of Ireland has strong potential for further development if investment and organization can match the rising enthusiasm among supporters.

Biography

Chris Lee is the founder and editor of the football history, culture, and travel blog and podcast Outside Write (https://outsidewrite.co.uk).

His third book, Shades of Green: A Journey into Irish Football (https://www.pitchpublishing.co.uk/shop/shades-green), is out now via Pitch Publishing.