Keeping Them Under Pressure: Masculinity, Narratives of National Regeneration and the Republic of Ireland Soccer Team

The Greening of Euro 2016: Fan Footage, Representational Tropes, and the Media Lionization of the Irish in France

“…Any examination of the reception and circulation of these videos must take into account the context they emerged from: the French authorities were on high alert following devastating terrorist attacks in the preceding year, and the early games of the tournament were marred by violent clashes between fans of England and Russia (both with each other, and with local authorities). Furthermore, it is important to add that the Irish have long enjoyed a reputation as exemplary fans—particularly in comparison to their maligned English neighbors (Free 2005, 274). The Republic of Ireland first qualified for a major international tournament in 1988.…”

Tales from the Fifth Green Field: The Psychodynamics of Migration, Masculinity and National Identity amongst Republic of Ireland Soccer Supporters in England

“…The team's British-based players (often British-born, having qualified via parentage or grandparentage) as national heroes represented Ireland's emigrant history while these tournaments' global reach facilitated the diaspora's participation in a symbolically inclusive, geographically complex national identity unhindered by cultural nationalism's exclusivity or British colonialism's psychic legacy. [1] Prompted by these arguments, the qualitative research underpinning this essay aimed to examine how 'Republic' supporters in England, through 'international' match attendance, informal gatherings and discursive interactions concerning soccer developed collective senses of national identity; and to examine their relationships with the general experiences of personal (for 'first generation Irish' emigrant supporters) and familial emigration (for English-born, 'second generation Irish' supporters). Conducted from 1994 to 1998 the research primarily involved interviews with two networks of male supporters, predominantly in Birmingham, concerning their experiences at 'home' games in Dublin and 'away' games at various locations, and concerning their personal or familial experiences of emigration.…”

Headlining the head-butt: Zinedine Zidane/Marco Materazzi portrayals in prominent English, Irish and Scottish newspapers

“…Originating in English public schools during the early 1600s, soccer arrived in Ireland and Scotland during the Protestant Reformation when English soldiers traveled the territories in an attempt to end Catholicism (Foer, 2004;Hassan, 2002). Since then, religious struggles have continued, exacerbated by tensions involving gender, social class and political ideals (see Arrowsmith, 2004;Bairner, 1999Bairner, , 2003Bairner and Walker, 2001;Dunning, 1999;Free, 2005;Hassan, 2002Hassan, , 2006Lee, 2004). Consequently, when soccer clubs with large partisan followings take the field, their performances tend to serve as metaphors for the legitimacy and vitality of the cultures and nations they represent.…”