NEW FIXTURE CAN MARK A NEW ERA
New fixture can mark a new era
JUST over five years ago, Ireland's two international football teams played in an infamous World Cup qualifying match in Belfast.
The match, which finished in a 1-1 draw, was completely overshadowed by an appalling display of sectarianism from a large section of the home support.
In particular, repeated gloating references were made to the 'Trick or Treat' massacre carried out by loyalists in Greysteel just weeks earlier.
The disgraceful scenes were the inspiration for Marie Jones's hugely successful play, A Night in November, starring Dan Gordon, which attracted packed houses all over Ireland and even completed a run off Broadway in New York.
It is a measure of the changes which have swept across the island in recent years that Northern Ireland and the Republic are to meet in a friendly next year in Dublin which should raise more than �500,000 for the Omagh appeal fund.
All those involved in organising the fixture, which may well become an annual attraction, deserve considerable credit.
Players and officials from both sides of the border have traditionally enjoyed good relationships, and the establishment of similar friendships between fans would be a positive development.
JUST over five years ago, Ireland's two international football teams played in an infamous World Cup qualifying match in Belfast.
The match, which finished in a 1-1 draw, was completely overshadowed by an appalling display of sectarianism from a large section of the home support.
In particular, repeated gloating references were made to the 'Trick or Treat' massacre carried out by loyalists in Greysteel just weeks earlier.
The disgraceful scenes were the inspiration for Marie Jones's hugely successful play, A Night in November, starring Dan Gordon, which attracted packed houses all over Ireland and even completed a run off Broadway in New York.
It is a measure of the changes which have swept across the island in recent years that Northern Ireland and the Republic are to meet in a friendly next year in Dublin which should raise more than �500,000 for the Omagh appeal fund.
All those involved in organising the fixture, which may well become an annual attraction, deserve considerable credit.
Players and officials from both sides of the border have traditionally enjoyed good relationships, and the establishment of similar friendships between fans would be a positive development.
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/0491
Published Date: 08-Dec-98
Related Images
There have been no images archived for this article.