Quote Originally Posted by Philipvs Vallindervs Calicvla View Post
To clarify, I do get it, it just makes me sad.

Sad, though, that our ancestors couldn't find a better way to work out how Ireland and the rest of the British Isles fit together.

I also find it difficult to accept on an emotional level even though I understand it intellectually, and appreciate the Irish viewpoint.

Actually, thinking about it, I probably find it somewhat upsetting because I'm aware Irish independence is more to do with failings in London that anything else - that probably explains the general English unwillingness to examine the issue too.

One day possibly I do get the feeling that things are begingin to change but it is still to soon for me at least(mad as that sounds) When you come to a match an international match in Ireland we only need too separate people because it's the rules of the various international bodies, not because we will kill the opposing fans over percieved slights(excepting the North everything is different there)

Bother has only ever being caused (yet) by hooligans coming into Ireland and I expect that will continue.

I have been at World Cup matches where English people cheered us on and they loved every minute of the match, technically it was cos we were playing Germany though. I'm telling you I never seen a happier racist football hooligan as I did that night in Ibaraki, he nearly fell of the upper tier so he did. Also I have actually sang rebels songs at family gathereings in england in front of English people and they loved every minute of it, they knew that the atmosphere was one of celebration and rememberance not one of anger.

Irish people will one day root for England if were not playing ourselves, I know this to be ultimately a truth but we will always savour the odd victory we get over yous lot