Patriotism, public figures and British football

SectionF

Thought I'd ask for a little help on this one for the blog...

Lots of noise about the LoI in crisis lately, accompanied elsewhere by lots of guff about patriotism, pulling together etc (even though our Sports Minister wants to close down the league)

So I'm thinking of which Irish or Irish-based public figures and celebrities follow which teams.

Maybe in this format...
name | Irish team | British team

e.g.

Roddy Doyle... unknown... Chelsea
Bertie Ahern... none (?)... ManU
John Delaney... Waterford U.... ManU
Tom Humphries... none... Leeds
Dave Fanning... UCD.... unknown
Des Cahill... Bray Wanderers... West Ham
Dermot Desmond.. unknown... Glasgow C.
Myles Dungan... unknown... Arsenal
Johnny Logan... Bohs... unknown
Colin Farrell... Shamrock R. .... unknown
John O'Shea... Waterford U. .... Celtic (I just remembered)
Colm Meaney... Shamrock R.... unknown (Chelsea?)
Con Murphy... Shamrock R... unknown
Tony O'Donoghue... Cork City... unknown
JP McManus... Limerick?.... ManU
Eddie Jordan... unknown... Chelsea
Finian McGrath... Shelbourne... West Ham
Dermot Gallagher... Shels.... (probably not allowed)
Roy Keane... Cobh Ramblers... unknown
Des Bishop... Cork City... unknown
Michael Flatley... Cork City... unknown
Irvine Welsh... Bohs... unknown (Hibs?)
George Hook... unknown... Arsenal
Ray Kennedy (Sky News) ... Shels... unknown
Bernard Dunne... Drogheda(?)... Liverpool
Dara Ó Briain... Bray Wanderers... Arsenal
Caroline Morahan... Bohs... unknown
Adrian Eames... Sligo R... unknown
Tommy Gorman... Sligo R... unknown
Eamonn McCann... Derry... unknown
John Hume... Derry... unknown
Shay Given... Finn Harps... unknown
Eamon Sweeney... Sligo R... unknown
Colin Murphy... Derry... unknown
Matt Cooper... unknown... Leeds
Arthur Matthews... Drogheda... unknown
Paul McLoone... Derry... unknown
Paul Caffrey... Bohs or Shels/disputed... unknown
John Creedon... Cork... unknown
Fiona Looney... Shamrock R... unknown
Tom Dunne... St Pat's... ManU
Martin O'Neill... Lisburn Distillery... unknown
Martin McGuinness... Derry... unknown
Jim Carroll... unknown... Liverpool

---

That's all I can think of for now, but I have a terrible memory. Any more, or any corrections? Actual fans only, i.e. seen at or stated to have been at a game, and not just those trying to be hip.

(PS: if you want to have the old LoI v rest of world debate, all takers welcome, but can we do it in a separate thread please?)

Quint

European and World Champions captain John O'Shea is a waterford fan. I saw him in with waterford fans at a game in Dublin.

stovelid

Spotted Pat Rabbitte and Colm Meaney (can't recall) at Rovers before. Not together.

Niall Quinn is/was(?) supposed to a member of Rovers. Obviously, we've all heard the story about Colin Farrell saying he wanted to play for Rovers, like some of his family.

Like I said before, I was told (and nearly sure I read once) that Humphries was a gypo.

Latchy

I know Colin Farrel played football at school /college but not sure if he supports any Irish /British team ?

SectionF

Colin Farrell (a northsider!) is definitely Shamrock and has given them publicity on Letterman (I think). Humphries, as far as I can tell, is at best faux Bohemian. I've heard no end of his rumoured-to-be, but I've never seen any evidence.

I'll add them to the top post as they come in.

stovelid

latchyco wrote: »

I know Colin Farrel played football at school /college but not sure if he supports any Irish /British team ?

http://www.rte.ie/arts/2008/0213/farrellc.html

Probably crap, and doesn't really equate to 'support'.

redout

JP McManus.........Man Utd/ Limerick possibly.

HalloweenJack

Des Cahill seems to be more obsessed about West Ham than Bray, but he does get to a few of our games every year. His son is a regular.

I've seen George Hamilton at Bray games before and fairly certain he's mentioned it on the telly also.

Didn't Bertie mention something about Drumcondra before?

Con Murphy's said he's a Rovers fan and Tony O'Donoghue has said he's a Cork fan but, call me a cynic, I just think that's all to help the show.

EDIT - Formula One fella (?) Jordan is a notorious Chelsea fan.

Also, Des Morgan was a UCD fan, afaik.

Latchy

SectionF wrote: »

Colin Farrell (a northsider!) is definitely Shamrock and has given them publicity on Letterman (I think).

stovelid wrote: »

http://www.rte.ie/arts/2008/0213/farrellc.html

Probably crap, and doesn't really equate to 'support'.

I knew I had heard it someplace , think on the Bioggraphy channel .

Cheers

SectionF

HalloweenJack wrote: »

Des Cahill seems to be more obsessed about West Ham than Bray, but he does get to a few of our games every year. His son is a regular.

I've seen George Hamilton at Bray games before and fairly certain he's mentioned it on the telly also.

Didn't Bertie mention something about Drumcondra before?

Con Murphy's said he's a Rovers fan and Tony O'Donoghue has said he's a Cork fan but, call me a cynic, I just think that's all to help the show.

EDIT - Formula One fella (?) Jordan is a notorious Chelsea fan.

Murphy and O'Donoghue are the real deal, afaik. Drumcondra doesn't exist, so doesn't count (handy... it gave him kudos but he never had to go to a match and watch football that was so far beneath his lofty taste)

SectionF

stovelid wrote: »

Spotted Pat Rabbitte and Colm Meaney (can't recall) at Rovers before. Not together.

Niall Quinn is/was(?) supposed to a member of Rovers. Obviously, we've all heard the story about Colin Farrell saying he wanted to play for Rovers, like some of his family.

Like I said before, I was told (and nearly sure I read once) that Humphries was a gypo.

Quinn's membership/presence probably SundIreland PR. Anything firmer on Rabbitte?

stovelid

HalloweenJack wrote: »

Didn't Bertie mention something about Drumcondra before?

I think Noel and Bertie Aherne were quoted in Who Stole Our Game? as big childhood Drums fans.

Must check the book again later.

SectionF wrote: »

Quinn's membership/presence probably SundIreland PR. Anything firmer on Rabbitte?

Nah, sorry. Spotted him at the 2002 final, but not since. Probably a bit of PR too as he is a TD in West Tallaght.

Zebra3

SectionF wrote: »

Murphy and O'Donoghue are the real deal, afaik. Drumcondra doesn't exist, so doesn't count (handy... it gave him kudos but he never had to go to a match and watch football that was so far beneath his lofty taste)

Drumcondra FC play on the pitch across from Tolka and have a clubhouse there saying they were founded in 1927, but it is not the original Drums (who were merged into HF in the early 70s).

And yeh that claim of Bertie's is convenient to say the least. Though if you get into the 3rd qualifying round of the CL he might turn up at the game to show he's "the man of the people". :rolleyes:

Finian McGrath TD (Ind) has been down at meetings and sponsors a Shels player every season, but not sure if he's at many games-or if he fits your description of "public figure".

Dermot Gallagher (ex-Premiership ref) is a Shels fan-he's originally from Dublin and spoke about it before in FourFourTwo.

gimmick

Des Bishop and John Creedon both Cork City fans and season ticket holders.

Lead singer of Frank & Walters is a City fan.

Michael Flately said he watches out for Citys results.

Think Roy Keane said he still keeps a close eye on Cobh Ramblers.

stovelid

gimmick wrote: »

Lead singer of Frank & Walters is a City fan.

.

Didn't one of the lads from Sultans of Ping used to wear a City jersey?*


* I accept that we're seriously stretching the definition of celebrity here.

SectionF

Is Dermot Ahern a Dundalk supporter?

OPENROAD

George Hook is an Arsenal fan

Gavin "shels"

Often see Sky Correspondent, Ray Kennedy with his 2 kids at Shels matches, does be at most home matches.

monkey9

I think George Hamilton is an Arsenal fan

OPENROAD

Dara O'Briain is an Arsenal season ticket holder.

Xavi6

SectionF wrote: »

Is Dermot Ahern a Dundalk supporter?

No but his nephew who writes for the Indo is.

Declan Drake - Shels

redzerdrog

bernerd dunne has been at a good few drogheda games, not sure if he is a fan or just there for the craic as he know a few of the fans well.

SectionF

redzerdrog wrote: »

bernerd dunne has been at a good few drogheda games, not sure if he is a fan or just there for the craic as he know a few of the fans well.

That'll do.

gustavo

Adrian Eames , Tommy Gorman - Sligo Rovers

SectionF

Who's that Undertones chap who sang at the final?

Pigman II

stovelid wrote: »

Didn't one of the lads from Sultans of Ping used to wear a City jersey?*

Some/All of the Sultans were Notts Forest supporters. Even wrote a song about Nigel Clough.

He 's a nice young man with a lovely smile

Frankie Lee

Bernard Dunne also supports Liverpool, I'm almost certain.

fullstop

Didn't Shay Given say on Soccer A.M that he was a Harps fan...

Dancor

Zebra3 wrote: »

Finian McGrath TD (Ind) has been down at meetings and sponsors a Shels player every season, but not sure if he's at many games-or if he fits your description of "public figure''

He is also a West Ham supporter

Saint_Mel

Colin Murphy (The Panel) ... Derry City ... ?
Eamon McSweeney (Writer/Journo) ... Sligo Rovers ... ?

applehunter

Arthur Matthews (writer if Father Ted) is a Drogheda fan

stovelid

SectionF wrote: »

Who's that Undertones chap who sang at the final?

Paul McLoone? Guy that replaced Fergal Sharkey? Think he's on he radio too.

Gavin "shels"

Bertie Ahern was a Drums fan, but during our Champions League bout I seen him in Tolka.

Seen Paul Caffery (ex.Dubs manager) at a few Shels matches a few years back, haven't seen him in a while though.

RebelRockChick

Drummer of the Frank and Walters is a Cork City fan, as well as the lead singer who was already mentioned.

Jacqui Hurley (Interviewer for 60 on MNS) is also a city fan.

As for Roy Keane, saw him at Cobh Ramblers vs. Dundalk about a year and a half ago

SectionF

Gavin shels wrote: »

Seen Paul Caffery (ex.Dubs manager) at a few Shels matches a few years back, haven't seen him in a while though.

Said more recently to frequent THOIF. Since you've reminded me, I'm putting him down as BFC, though I'm open to correction.

SectionF

RebelRockChick wrote: »

Drummer of the Frank and Walters is a Cork City fan, as well as the lead singer who was already mentioned.

Anyone got names on these, as well as ping persons?

_blank_

who the hell are the frank and walters?

these people aren't famous.

I'm probably more famous than them, stick me down as Shels.

SectionF

Des wrote: »

I'm probably more famous than them, stick me down as Shels.

I'd say you're not a real supporter, just one of those showbiz posers who puts a LoI team on their CV.

_blank_

SectionF wrote: »

I'd say you're not a real supporter, just one of those showbiz posers who puts a LoI team on their CV.

Unlike that Logan fella.

SectionF

Des wrote: »

Unlike that Logan fella.

Hard core!

Paparazzo

Gavin shels wrote: »

Bertie Ahern was a Drums fan, but during our Champions League bout I seen him in Tolka.

he actually said he was a shels fan during that run. bandwagon jumper.
Fiona Looney is a Rovers fan.

Ronan|Raven

Longford Town... um... hmmm!

SectionF

Who does Tom Dunne support?

pablomakaveli

Paparazzo wrote: »

he actually said he was a shels fan during that run. bandwagon jumper.

That's bertie and his fellow politicians for ya. I honestly can't remember ever hearing of an irish politician who genuinely supported a LOI team excluding the occasions like the one mentioned.

dfx-

SectionF wrote: »

Shay Given... Finn Harps... unknown

Would it be fair to say he has a fondness for Newcastle - there's no other logical explanation for him being there.

RebelRockChick

SectionF wrote: »

Anyone got names on these, as well as ping persons?

Ashley Keating is the Franks drummer and Paul Linehan is lead singer.

Niall O'Flaherty is the Sultans lead singer. Drummer, Morty McCarthy, is a fan also (not sure about the rest of the band).

Ashley and Morty were both interviewed on the shed DVD iirc.

HalloweenJack

Since when is Dara O'Briain a Bray fan?

First I've heard about it.

bohsman

Genius. http://thebohs.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=9616

Zebra3

dfx- wrote: »

Would it be fair to say he has a fondness for Newcastle - there's no other logical explanation for him being there.

Maybe he's into ugly classless birds.

stovelid

Paparazzo wrote: »

Fiona Looney is a Rovers fan.

*Rips membership card*

_blank_

SectionF wrote: »

Who does Tom Dunne support?

Why don't you ask him

HalloweenJack wrote: »

Since when is Dara O'Briain a Bray fan?

First I've heard about it.

Well, he's from Bray anyway.