Boston Irishman in Ireland

Why don’t Irish soccer fans support Irish soccer teams?

Earlier this summer, like most of the people living in Ireland and the active citizens of the global diaspora, I was caught up in the excitement of the Irish soccer team’s appearance in the European Championship.

 It was heartening, especially in these miserable economic times, to see Ireland qualify for its first international tournament since the 2002 World Cup, now best remembered in Ireland for the infamous sequence of events leading up to it.

However disappointing it was to watch Ireland lose three times in rather spectacular fashion, it was uplifting to hear the huge crowd of Irish supporters singing “The Fields of Athenry” at the close of the 4-0 loss to Spain. It was a defiantly loyal riposte to what the supporters could see on the field and on the scoreboard. To hear the singing 3,000 miles away, in the heartland of Irish America, as I did, made it even more special. 

There’s no place like Galway! An Irish-American’s love for his adopted home city

Maybe she’s right. I probably am over the top. But as I always remind her, Galway is my utopia. And I know I’m not alone.

Handicapping the hottest US Senate race in the country – GOPs Scott Brown versus Democrats Elizabeth Warren

These three factors will continue to shape the dynamics of the campaign.  It should be very interesting.  This columnist will be watching closely.