So, I asked around and Zach wanted to go, too; on Tuesday, we went to Elvery's, which is a local sporting goods store, to get jerseys. It turns out the team's sponsor changed from last season, which meant lots of jerseys on sale...ace, right?!
Anyway, I got the away jersey from last season, which is green, blue, and awesome and looks like this for 9€, which is an insane deal:
So, we left for Terryland Stadium (which is literally down the street from our apartments) at 7:00 for the 7:45 kickoff. We got to the stadium and noticed a lot of people drinking outside, which we later learned was because no alcohol is allowed, let alone sold, at the stadium--definitely a change from American sports! There were also two different entrances, depending on which team you supported. The two entrances led to two separate stands--fans were completely segregated. Really strange to see, but I guess the "soccer hooligan" stereotype is true! As a matter of fact, when there were about 10 minutes left in the match, there were several announcements asking Bohemians fans to stay behind 5 minutes after the match and to use a different exit than the United fans. There were also a ton of Gardai lined up in front of the Boh's stands to prevent fans from rushing the field after...I don't really blame them because Bohs fans set off fireworks when the scored. Definitely a little excessive and definitely a little illegal.
Onto the match! United scored about 20 minutes in, and the Bohs tied it about 3 minutes before half. Both teams scored again in the second half, and it looked like it would be a draw until about 5 minutes before the end of the match. That's when United rallied--it started back in defense and one player--couldn't tell you which one--stole the ball and CHARGED up the field. Another Galway man happened to be in the Boh's corner, dribbled past a few defenders practically up to the goal and scored. It was absolutely fantastic...the crowd went wild and the Bohs literally sat down on the field because they knew it was over.
SUCH an exciting match!
The segregation isn’t the norm, but some clubs’ “fans” have a reputation for trouble, particularly some of the Dublin ones, among them Bohemians and Shamrock Rovers. The troublemakers are a small percentage of the travelling contingent, but they, unfortunately, make all the headlines, and spoil it for the rest of the visiting supporters.
ReplyDeleteI guess visiting fans are also more numerous, relatively speaking, than they would be in most US sports, because of the much smaller distances between cities.
I’ve been to quite a few of Wexford Youths’ games, and the only time I ever saw anything that required Garda intervention was when Shamrock Rovers were visiting. The biggest game ever played at Wexford’s stadium was a League Cup Final between Wexford and Derry City - although there was a huge crowd, separately seated, there was no need for segregation, as the fans of both teams were well behaved… both sets of supporters also had a great time in Wexford’s many bars that night.
Glad you enjoyed the game. Watch out for the second “International Rules” game next weekend (it will be on RTE TV). Australia won the first one 47-40, so Ireland will have to work hard to overcome this deficit in the second and final game of the series.
If you really enjoyed the match on Friday, we (hopefully) have one last home game on Tuesday 2nd November. It is a relegation playoff against Bray Wanderers. The winner stays in the Premier Division. Thanks for your support.
ReplyDeleteSah, you've got sports reporting in you. . .
ReplyDelete