Podcast: Book Launch – Shades of Green: A Journey into Irish Football

My new book, Shades of Green: A Journey into Irish Football, is out NOW! It’s part-groundhop, part-history discovery of football on the island of Ireland as an outsider.

My thanks to author and journalist James Hendicott for standing in as host in this episode to interview me (!)  If you’re in London on 17 March 2025, please join my for book launch at Dulwich Hamlet. More info here.

In this podcast, we discuss;

History: We explore Irish football’s rich history and its deep ties to politics, culture, and identity, looking at Ireland pre-split, and both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland since 1921. We also discuss the historical impact of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) ban on soccer players, which long hindered the sport’s growth in Ireland.

What can readers expect? We discuss the book’s structure, which divides Irish football into the four provinces while also covering international football, famous Irish players abroad, and the history and growth of women’s football.

Groundhopping: We highlight iconic stadiums like Dalymount Park and Tolka Park (Dublin), and The Oval (Belfast), which preserve a nostalgic, old-school football experience.

Fan culture: We examine how League of Ireland fan culture has been shaped by a passionate ultrà scene, blending European-style support with local traditions and humour.

Challenges facing Irish football: We look at some of the ongoing challenges facing Irish football in both leagues, including funding issues, outdated facilities, and competition with the English Premier League for local attention.

Why is the League of Ireland having a moment? We reflect on how Brexit has influenced player development, with young Irish talents staying longer before moving abroad, strengthening the domestic league.

League and cup set-ups: We explore the contrasting league structures, with Northern Ireland following a traditional winter season while the Republic plays a summer schedule, complicating cross-border fixtures.

…and much more…

Here’s a video with more info on the book:

I release a new podcast every two weeks, so be sure to subscribe on your preferred podcast platform. You can find Football Travel by Outside Write on Apple, Spotify, Player.FM and Anchor. Look for it in Google Podcasts too. I’d really appreciate a rating or view if you like what I’m doing as it helps others discover the podcast. 

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The podcast is sponsored by Pibe de Barrio, the on-the-ground football experts in Buenos Aires, helping you live the Argentine matchday experience.