The structure of this plot is always a little vague, but it usually has something to do Irish culture being undermined. Once that football adventure began, the meaning of the Tricolour changed dramatically, suddenly expressing a positive view of ourselves. We didn’t think of ourselves as having the best country, or the best football team: but what it expressed was a plucky spirit, a determination to good-humouredly make the best of whatever limited resources we had. But this time the team, their diehard fans and fair-weather fans (like me) will be bolstered by the knowledge that anything is possible. The flags will be out then: for a team of young Irish men whose faces aren’t all white.

Source: The Irish Times November 23, 2025 12:02 UTC