You never do know where you'll see a League of Ireland kit pop up on screen, do you? Here's some of our favourite examples of the League of Ireland taking over pop culture
1) The Kildare County poster in HBO's "The Life and TImes of TIm".
In 2008 a brilliant new adult cartoon (sorry, animated series...) debuted on the uber-hip HBO network in the US. As you'd expect, channels around the world picked up "The Life and Times of Tim." Our hero Tim and his buddies local bar sported a Kildare County poster on the bathroom door.
Why? Who cares? It's by far the coolest thing ever associated with the now defunct club.
2) Rats from the Flats and his signed Shamrock Rovers jersey
"Paths to Freedom" is perhaps RTE's greatest comedy series. The series main star was a recently released prisoner affectionately known as Rats (from the Flats). The lovable rogue loved nothing more than to wear his signed Shamrock Rovers jersey while reciting poetry
Rovers, as you'd expect, have featured in a number of different productions, most recently in an Lidl ad...
3) Shelbourne losing on penalties to Sky One's "Dream Team"
In the late 1990s Sky One's first attempt at a homegrown drama was the football based "Dream Team" which followed the trials and tribulations of Harchester United. After years of struggle Harchester qualified for the UEFA Cup where they were drawn against Shelbourme. As part of the filming Sky filled Tolka Park. In the episode (Shels lose on penalties), you can hear the crowd's collective voice being noticeably higher than your standard football crowd.
We've mentioned the 1989 Cork City jersey on balls before. It's a classic. What it was doing in the video for the Beautiful South's "Prettiest Eyes" video, we're not quite sure. The single was released in 1994.
5) Dustin the Turkey basing his Presidential election campaign on St Francis
The star of RTE's The Den (and many, many more) Dustin the Turkey was found of wearing a St Francis jersey on screen. He even wore in his Presidential election campaign posters.
St Francis left the league and Dustin went on to embarrass the nation in Eurovision. Co-incidence?
6) Charlo bringing his kid to see Bohs and Pats in Roddy Doyle's "The Family"
In 1994, Roddy Doyle wrote a TV series for RTE/BBC that centred on the Spencer family. The arsehole dad brought his son, complete with Liverpool scarf, to see Bohs and Pats play in Dalymount Park in episode one.
7) Bohs and Johnny Logan
We'll let this video of Johnny Logan on "Craig Doyle Live" speak for itself.
8) Derry City's kit on the cover of the Undertone's "My Perfect Cousin"
Not only can Derry City count members of the Undertones amongst their fans, they've even been featured on the cover of one of their singles.
9) One Direction and their Bray Wanderers connections
This screen grab is from the making of the new One Direction movie. The guy is clearly wearing Bray Wanderers shorts.
We'll admit this tenuous link is merely a ploy to broaden balls.ie appeal amongst teenage girls. Wait, that doesn't sound right. never mind.
10) All the famous fans
Who's the most famous LOI fan? It could well be the President of Ireland (see [1] and [2]). Maureen O'Hara and her love for Shamrock Rovers was even mentioned in the 1957 US version of This is Your Life (from 18m40s). The "loved in Europe" Mr Logan is clearly a big Bohs fan. In US TV circles, Pats fan Bunk from the Wire is huge. But for having a member who actually played in the league, and in a desperate attempt to bring the female audience age back up a bit, we'll nominate record breaking Sligo Rovers fans Westlife for the last picture.
If you spot any more, do let us know!
