So, that time of year is upon us again. It’s that time when every league of Ireland fan (who is lucky enough to support a club involved) fills with anticipation. The draw for European football has been done.
This year Dundalk, Shamrock Rovers, Cork and Pats fans will be hoping their teams can go a step further this year. In a glorious 2015 season for Dundalk, the match with BATE Borisov was the most memorable. A mass of different emotions experienced throughout that peculiar day began with optimism. One goal would see us through. Optimism turned to apprehension, caused by the crowd’s over confidence. Many of whom were not Oriel Park regulars and seemed to be under the impression that we would win easily. That would never be the case. Nevertheless, excitement levels went through the roof when the teams walked out and that Champions League theme played across the stadium. As the match went on, and a goal for us seemed less and less likely, frustration sank in, then depression. Shortly after the final whistle, a wave of pride seeped through. We had been narrowly beaten by a very fine team.
The tension in the crowd (and often, the class on the pitch) that comes with European football cannot be matched by a league game. Memories from these games never diminish. My Dad (a Bohs fan) often recounts his experience of the victory over Glasgow Rangers in 1984. He mistimed his exit from Dalymount and found himself surrounded by hundreds of angry Belfast men chanting anti-IRA songs. Needless to say, the Bohs scarf was quickly whipped off and hidden in a bag. All he could do was walk on and remain very quiet. Luckily I didn’t witness anything similar when I ventured up to Tolka to watch Shelbourne maul Glentoran in 2005. Amongst my Dad’s programme collection is Bohemians v Bordeaux from 1993; another dour experience. Twenty pound was parted with in exchange for a ticket and the rain that day was unmerciful; all for a 1-0 defeat. However, when reading the program, I discovered something my father didn’t realise at the time. Three of the Bordeaux team that played that day would go on to win a World Cup. One of these players happened to be a curly haired Zinedine Zidane. We both made it to Dalymount in 2009 to watch Red Bull Salzburg save themselves in the last few minutes of another heartbreaking Champions League tie.
Support was occasionally handed out to other clubs during their campaigns. In one of the most exciting climaxes I’ve seen in a match, we witnessed St. Pats eliminate the Swedish IF Elfsborg. After the match we wondered how the entire crowd of almost 3000 somehow managed to fit into the nearby MacDowell’s pub. For what was probably an Irish club’s greatest European victory, I was in a Leeds hotel, glued to a live stream of Shamrock Rovers dramatic victory over Partizan Belgrade. As a Dundalk fan, I am expected to dislike the Hoops, but I joyously skipped around the room when Stevie O’ Donnell (now our skipper) scored that winning penalty. European football briefly gives our teams a little spotlight and gives the players wonderful experience. It’s vastly important to our clubs so get out and support your team. If your club aren’t involved, lend your support to another team. It may be the best time you’ll ever have at a League of Ireland match.
Author: Robbie Ryan
Image Credit: Uefa.com