When reading the book, it is clear that a lot of meticulous research went into the writing process. Were there any particular interviews or discoveries that surprised you or changed your perspective on Irish football?
“For example, the book is structured chapter by chapter on various facets of the Irish game.
“What really fascinated me as I went through the book was how closely aligned the story of soccer/football is in Ireland compared to the political situation during that time. It’s been 150 odd years since it was first played, and it really mirrors the politics of the island, which is most noticeable by the fact that it has two national sides whereas Cricket, Rugby and the Gaelic Athletic Association games are still all-island affairs.
“I thought that was really interesting, and the legacy of that has played out in a couple of big stories, one of which is the Belfast Celtic story, which may or may not still be relevant. They were the big Catholic community club, they won the league twice, and there were troubles during the battle for Irish independence in the 1920’s and again in 1949 when they withdrew from the league. They were so powerful and successful and held a strong rivalry with Linfield at that time, but they are still the third most successful club in Northern Ireland, despite not having played for nearly 70 years.
“There’s a lot throughout the book, like Jimmy Hasty, who was a one-armed player who lost his arm at 14 on his first day on the job in Belfast. He ended up taking up football and was a really successful striker with Dundalk, despite having one arm. He won titles there but then met a tragic end. After his career, he became a book keeper back in Belfast, and he was actually shot in the back by a unionist group during the Troubles. It was really tragic.
“There are so many stories like that. Those are some of the key findings that stood out to me.”
You discuss the intersection between football and society in Ireland, where there’s a complex relationship with politics. Obviously, sectarianism and national identity are things that are very sensitive, especially in Ireland. How did you approach writing about that intersection?
“I used local voices to approach that. I interviewed historians, politicians, club directors, officials, fans, and others through the book to give me a local perspective. The only time I really come in is to kind of curate or summarise what people have said, adding some of my own observations or opinions, but generally, it’s told through the lens of local people.
“So, when it comes to the political side, it’s the local people’s views that are included rather than my own. I try to keep it as objective as possible, just recording history and letting the story tell itself.”
The League of Ireland and Northern Irish Football League are both seeing increased attendances. What do you think are the factors driving that, and do you think this can be sustainable long term?
“There are a number of factors. One is that a third of the population in Ireland supports a team across the water, most commonly Liverpool, Manchester United or Celtic. It’s expensive to travel to watch those teams live, whether by flying or taking a boat to England or Scotland, when you have a product on your doorstep. So, there’s definitely a financial incentive to support local clubs.
“I also think part of the League of Ireland’s improvement is the increased quality of the game.
“One reason for that is Brexit. Now, young players can’t leave for English or Scottish clubs until the age of 18 unless they have British parents, so there’s an influx of young talent staying in Ireland and developing. Social media has also been a big factor. Instagram and social media in general have made the game more visible and exciting, especially with the rise of ultras culture. It’s really changed the atmosphere in the stands.
“Clubs in Dublin, for example, now have their own ultras groups, and there’s been a huge shift towards making the experience more exciting and social media-friendly. One of the key turning points was the Copa90 documentary on Bohemians, which helped people realise that they had a product right in their own backyard. This awareness really caught on. Attendance records have been broken in recent years, and in February 2025, the opening game of the new League of Ireland season was held at the Aviva Stadium and set a new attendance record of 33,208 fans. So, the League of Ireland is certainly having a moment of real momentum right now.”
How far do you think this will go? Will it be sustainable in the long term?
“I think there will be a saturation point, and it will depend on whether the league continues to improve its product. The Premier League is still too expensive for many people, and I think local fans will stick with the League of Ireland as long as they’re offering something of quality. If they continue to grow and the quality improves, I think it can be sustainable, but there’s always a ceiling.”
Last question for you. There are a lot of great insights in the book, and I don’t want you to give too much away, but for someone who is maybe not fully aware of football in Ireland or has a passing interest, what would you say the book would be able to tell them?
“The book is pretty comprehensive. I wanted to create a geography-based story, similar to how authors such as Uli Hesse and John Foot have done with their books about Germany or Italy, where you get a comprehensive story about a specific area.
“The book is written for an audience that doesn’t necessarily know the ins and outs of Irish football. It’s an introduction to each club through the voices of their supporters. It’s also an exploration of how politics, football, and society in Ireland are intertwined.
“I hope readers will come away with an understanding of how the politics and the support of the game have always mirrored each other, and they’ll get a more comprehensive view of the game in Ireland, whether they’re familiar with it or not.”
Shades of Green is available to buy from Pitch Publishing and from all good book stores.
Featured image courtesy of Pitch Publishing.
Callum McFadden 