League of Ireland fans are an odd bunch really. They revel in the role as a niche market. It gives them a certain feeling of superiority over fans of English football. The barstoolers have the jersey and all the merchandise. They possibly even have the tattoo.

But then you ask them, when was the last time they saw their club play? “During the week, sure we were on Monday Night Football.” No, when was the last time you saw them play — in the flesh? “We go all the time, I think we got to as many as four games last season. Oh, and there was that pre-season game when ‘we’ came over and played Lazio in the Aviva, so that makes it five.”

Five