FROM THE ARCHIVES:A match between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland in the early rounds of the 1996 European Championship was fraught with tension in spite of the developing peace process, as Gerry Moriarty reported in this preview. – JOE JOYCE
MICK, FROM Lurgan, is a lapsed Catholic, which in some abstract way may explain why he’ll be rooting for Northern Ireland in their game against the Republic. He supported Jack Charlton’s team the last time but didn’t go to the match, although he had tickets.
“I didn’t go because I was afraid to go,” said Mick candidly. This time though, as he has a rich Armagh accent and will be supporting the North in any case, he is heading for Windsor Park in Belfast with his buddy Seamus, complete with sensible aliases.
“Ill be Bobby and Seamus’ll be Tommy,” said Mick, feeling the even more decidedly Protestant “Sammy” night be a bit too common. Rather stupidly I asked who Seamus would be cheering.
Mick laughed. “Seamus won’t be cheering for anybody, but he’ll be supporting the Republic”.
I should have remembered. Those southerners who ventured into the white heat of Windsor Park for the crucial World Cup qualifying game between the “two Irelands” last year brought home stories to tell their grandchildren. Whatever you say, try to say nothing, was the advice. But that rule was easier to enunciate than to carry out.
At the last minute I had bargained a tout down from £50 to £25 for a £15 ticket. A red scarf to half convey the impression that I was a Linfield supporter was my only disguise. A colleague from the Evening Herald adopted an American accent and ended up being invited back to the Shankill any time he was visiting.
While I didn’t suffer any direct intimidation there was fear and loathing in Windsor Park.
The pre-match needle between Billy Bingham and Jack Charlton , the allegation that the Republic comprised a bunch of mercenaries, the fact that a World Cup place was at stake and the North’s desire to deprive the Republic of a visit Stateside , all combined to create a terrible tension.
Allied to this was the fact that the game was taking place at one of the most bitter periods of the Troubles, after the Shankill and Greysteel massacres.
In the ground the sight of Billy Bingham and goalkeeper Tommy Wright stirring up the crowd, the taunts – many of them racist – from elements in the crowd, the UDA songs, and the hostile atmosphere managed to exacerbate that feeling of a state of war. Yet it was a rare and unforgettable night.
Tomorrow night, the expectation is that the atmosphere will be somewhat calmer, but again not an occasion for the fainthearted. For a start, not so much is at stake. Northern manager Bryan Hamilton and Jack Charlton enjoy a fairly amiable relationship. Moreover, the game is taking place at a time of relative peace in the North.
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/archive/1994/1115/Pg003.html#Ar00300:54B979592993