England introduced the game of soccer to Ireland by way of Scotland. The soccer histories of England, Scotland and Ireland will always be linked to one abother. The Irish national team has not enjoyed a great deal of success at the international level, but soccer remains the most popular sport in the country.

Irish businessman John M. McAlery was on vacation in Edinburgh, England when he saw his first soccer game. He liked what he saw and decided to introduce the game to Ireland in 1878.
McAlery arranged for two Scottish teams–Queens Park and Caledonians–to play an exhibition game at Ulster cricket grounds in Ballymafeigh. A few months later, McAlery formed the first Irish soccer club in Cliftonville of Belfast.

On November 18th, 1880,at the Queens Hotel in Belfast, the Irish Football Association was created. The original members were from Northern Ireland, and the clubs were Knock, Oldpark, Distillery, Moyla Park, Cliftonville, [wp_campaign_2]
Avoniel and Alexander (Limavady). Moyla Park was crowned the first Irish Football Association champion.

Rugby in Ireland has a long tradition in both the international and domestic game that stretches back to the 19th century, and 2009 proved to be a successful year in both club and international rugby in Ireland.

The first organized rugby football club was formed at Dublin University in 1854 by students who learned the game at English schools.

Between 1874 and 1879, two rugby unions vied for control of rugby in Ireland. The Irish Football Union controlled the game in Leinster, Munster and parts of Ulster, while the Northern Football Union controlled rugby in the majority of Ulster.

Irish Rugby has a long history at the domestic and international level.

The Irish Rugby Football Union was formed in 1879 when the two previous unions, the Northern Football Union of Ireland and the Irish Football Union, joined together. The two unions had controlled rugby in different areas of the country from 1874 before combining. By 1885, it had 26 clubs affiliated to it. There are now 50 senior teams in the Irish National League.

The first international was played in February 1875 against England by teams of 20 per side. The first 15-a-side international was played in 1877.

One of the pleasures of going to a soccer game is experiencing the atmosphere generated by the crowd. If you go to a game played by the national teams of Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland, you are sure to hear the crowd singing songs to encourage the players.

Perhaps the most well-known sporting song in Ireland, the Field of Athenry was written by songwriter Pete St. John in 1979. It tells the tale of a young men deported from Ireland for stealing corn during the Irish Famine of the 1840s. Sent to Australia, his wife is left behind in Athenry, a town in Galway, to raise their child. Although the song has its roots outside sport, it is widely song by sports crowds in the Irish Republic, including at soccer and rugby internationals and by fans of the Munster Rugby team.

Northern Ireland fans have adapted the popular Christmas song to pay tribute to their top goal scorer David Healy. The fans sing the first verse of the song, before ending the line, “the stars in the bright sky looked down where he…” with shouts of “Healy! Healy!” The chant was subsequently taken up by fans of Fulham, where Healy played his club football.

Football has many different positions that require many similar skills and training. Strength and agility can not be taught, but they can be achieved. There are key drills that can improve these skills and help a person on the road to becoming a great football player.
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