EIRE 'STRIP' ON FOOTBALL TEAM SHIRTS

The Football Association of Ireland today announced that it will use Éire on senior international match day jerseys when it begins its World Cup qualification campaign in September. The name

The Football Association of Ireland today announced that it will use Éire on senior international match day jerseys when it begins its World Cup qualification campaign in September. The name will appear on the customised stitching applied to match day jerseys worn by squad members.

Speaking on Saturday, FAI Chief Executive John Delaney said: "We were approached by Éamon Ó Cuív, Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs about adding Éire to the stitching of our senior international match day jerseys and our board was happy to act on his idea. Irish is the first official language of the State and our players will wear it with pride".

The Celtic League welcomes this move by the FAI. This follows in the steps of the Scottish Football Association to add the native name for Scotland, Alba, to the shirts of the Scottish national football team.

The move will also provide a useful boost to our campaign for National teams generally in the Celtic countries to wear the National logo with mpride.

(Item supplied for Celtic News by Seanán Ó Coistín, Assistant General Secretary).