Football in Ireland has been enjoying a surge of popularity and success in recent years, as evidenced by the record-breaking crowd that attended the FAI Cup final on Sunday. The sold-out Aviva Stadium witnessed a thrilling encounter between St Patrick’s Athletic and Bohemians, which ended in a 1-1 draw after extra time and was decided by a penalty shootout. St Patrick’s Athletic emerged victorious, claiming their tenth FAI Cup title and their first since 2014.
The attendance of 43,881 fans was the highest ever for an FAI Cup final, surpassing the previous record of 41,238 from the 1945 final between Bohemians and Shamrock Rovers at Dalymount Park1. The remarkable turnout reflected the growing interest and support for domestic football in Ireland, which has traditionally been overshadowed by the popularity of English football and Gaelic games.
According to the Irish Sports Monitor, football is the second most popular sport in Ireland in terms of participation, with 6.5% of adults playing the game regularly or occasionally2. It is also the third most popular spectator sport, behind only Gaelic football and hurling, with 16% of total attendances at sports events2. The League of Ireland, the top level of domestic football, has seen an increase in average attendances in recent seasons, reaching around 2,000 in 20213.
The success of the national team has also contributed to the rise of football in Ireland. The Republic of Ireland qualified for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, their first appearance at the tournament since 2002. They finished second in their qualifying group behind Portugal, and secured their spot with a dramatic play-off win over Serbia. The team, led by manager Stephen Kenny and captain Seamus Coleman, will face Argentina, Mexico and Japan in the group stage of the World Cup, which will kick off in November 2022.
The Irish fans, known for their passion and loyalty, are expected to travel in large numbers to support their team in Qatar, as they have done in previous international tournaments. In 2016, the Republic of Ireland reached the last 16 of the UEFA European Championship in France, where they were eliminated by the hosts. The fans won the hearts of many with their cheerful and respectful behaviour, singing songs, cleaning up after themselves and helping out locals4. They were awarded the Medal of the City of Paris for their exemplary conduct5.
Football in Ireland is clearly on the up, both at the club and national level. The FAI Cup final was a showcase of the quality and excitement of the domestic game, while the World Cup qualification was a testament to the talent and determination of the national team. The fans have also played a vital role in creating a positive and vibrant atmosphere around the sport. Football in Ireland has a bright future ahead, and the world will be watching.