TD 1
in a post-nuclear family world. In football, you
are naked to the sensations of your team’s performance on the field. It’s the last honest place. The last holy ground that hasn’t forsaken us. As such, it’s a perfect sociological forum that hints to larger and more widespread sentiments – a lot of which is political, overtly or otherwise. Football is a game for everyone, a utopia that we create, where our actions have significant reactions. The world outside the stadia is like an alien planet at times, ruled by those who are out of touch with the everyday person. If you want to learn about humans, go to a football match and watch the crowd. If a people-led movement is brewing, you’ll hear about it there first. – Can you talk about the current state of the League of Ireland? We were reminded of Wimbledon proposing a move here in the mid-’90s in an article. Is there hope for greater success for clubs here or is it destined to perpetually play second fiddle to the clout and draw of teams across the water? What one innovation would help? Every league in the world plays second fiddle to the clout and draw of teams in the English Premier League. The League of Ireland can’t compete with a league that sells TV rights for £5bn for three years. The League of Ireland will always appeal to people who like attending live football and its accompanying experience. Not all football fans in Ireland equate being a football fan to being fan of live football though. What the League of Ireland and lower league football in England and other countries offer is a real experience. That can’t be replicated through a TV at home or in a bar. The league itself, whilst being an exhilarating part of Irish society, sadly mirrors the hierarchical and entrenched incompetence of the ruling political class in its leadership. – Who do you support? Who is the most gifted soccer player in the world right now? We support our local teams. In Dublin, London and Edinburgh. Danny Mandroiu. Issue five of Póg Mo Goal is out now, €10 pogmogoal.com – What websites, podcasts, magazines, voices should we be checking out regarding soccer? There are loads of top-quality independent football magazines out at the moment which is great. It’s a true renaissance moment for intelligent writing and thought in the game, but also printed press as a whole. In particular, the one that inspired us to make ours was the Green Soccer Journal. Unfortunately, they’ve stopped producing them but if you can get your hands on a copy online then you won’t be disappointed. 69