It’s not just a hashtag, the League of Ireland actually is the greatest league in the world. Here’s a few reasons why:
1. Versatility of the players
Everyone’s a utility player.
Matthew Connor, a goalkeeper, is on up front for Daniel Pender, who has been carried off on a stretcher. #GreatestLeagueInTheWorld
— Chris McNulty (@ChrisMcNultyDgl) September 5, 2015
2. The officials
They can be pretty funny…
https://twitter.com/d24saint/status/641726021922852864
…even if the comedy isn’t intentional.
#GreatestLeagueInTheWorld … ATFC ground staff wash away the lines as ref asks for centre circle to be made bigger pic.twitter.com/XlFlUQG8hz
— Ashley Cahill (@cahill_ashley) September 5, 2015
3. Tiki Taka
And they can do it on a cold, windy night in Connacht
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cj6rtYMNBvQ
4. Selfie Kings
It puts Arsenal’s efforts to shame.
5. Strikers are above Premier League-level
You can’t argue with the stats.
Stop calling us, stop texting us @FinallyMario, we don't need you for our game on Friday versus @AthloneTownFC pic.twitter.com/2z4CDKyN86
— Cabinteely FC (@Cabinteely_FC) June 8, 2015
6. Laser-like focus
From players and officials alike.
Mess at the EA cup. Players and ref didn't know the peno shoot out was over pic.twitter.com/yT3XNFJS8i
— Kevin Mc Gillicuddy (@KMcGillicuddy86) September 19, 2015
7. Loyalty
The fans spare no expense to support their club.
In Turners Cross tonight I heard that 4 Rovers fans got a TAXI from Dublin to the game #TheGreatestLeagueInTheWorld 🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀
— Gougher (@GougherA) May 22, 2015
8. Attention to detial is unparalleled
*detail
Duff's first name spelt wrong. #GreatestLeagueInTheWorld pic.twitter.com/038mA1bz0S
— Back Page Football (@bpfootball) September 1, 2015
9. Inclusion
No matter how big of a name he is, the new guy doesn’t get any special treatment.
@ShamrockRovers players won't give Damien Duff the ball during tonight's warm up #GreatestLeagueInTheWorld https://t.co/5CThzVkjlX
— Alan Kinsella (@electionlit) August 17, 2015
10. The art of defending
It’s been mastered.
Ryan McBride takes out 2 Cork City players… #playon! 😂 #loi #corder #ccfc #derry https://t.co/11SXZhyfBU
— @fromtheoff (@fromtheoff) September 25, 2015
11. Athletes are fine-tuned, fitness machines
Smoking is just weight-lifting for the lungs.
Big Dave Barry interview in Cork programme – like this story about Patsy Freyne and his fondness for a smoke pic.twitter.com/M5xAHGg0XX
— Daniel McDonnell (@McDonnellDan) August 21, 2015
https://twitter.com/Dannny_Ledwith/status/652578353044684804?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
12. Players are reliable
They always show up… eventually.
Madness…one of this Athlone Town squad has just entered the pitch area having been locked in the dressing room for the 1st 30 mins!!!
— Ashley Cahill (@cahill_ashley) August 21, 2015
13. They’ve got the support of the long arm of the law
The shades know to give credit when it’s due.
@noriordan Even the guard behind the goal clapped that goal. #greatestleagueintheworld pic.twitter.com/eVrsUpDJPy
— Michael Shine (@Michaelshine2) August 21, 2015
14. The PA announcements
More often than not, they’re gold.
PA announcer at Oriel has just informed the owner of a car that they 'have left all their windows open'. #greatestleagueintheworld
— Gavin McLaughlin (@gav_mclaughlin) August 17, 2015
The Bohemians stadium announcer in the League of Ireland tonight just asked on the intercom if anyone has a spare Samsung charger for 20mins
— DaveOCKOP (@DaveOCKOP) July 24, 2015
15. Opportunistic teams
1,500 leaflets handed out at the German fans end tonight #projectwillkommen @tallaghtstadium pic.twitter.com/PsFFuDpFb5
— Shamrock Rovers FC (@ShamrockRovers) October 8, 2015
16. Schmoozin’ the A-listers
How could he refuse?
Stuck for something to do on Friday Zayn? We'll let you in free and knock 50% off soup. #AlwaysInOurHeartsZaynMalik pic.twitter.com/mlUVH8SP3c
— Finn Harps FC (@FinnHarpsFC) March 25, 2015
17. Never a dull moment
Got fired today, then I got my job back, scored 2 goals to be 2-1, up, then I got sent off and then lost 3-2. Tomorrow should be interesting
— John McKeown (@JohnMcKeown94) August 15, 2015
18. Job Security
You can’t slack off, not even for five minutes.
Bray made the announcement this morning, stating that their former Under-19 coach will take over the senior side with immediate effect, following the resignation of Alan Matthews.
Tarnogrodzki may have been on the receiving end of the quickest demotion in Irish football history.
Bray sent out an initial statement, shortly before noon today, that announced Tarnogrodzki as their coach. Five minutes later came an updated statement and Tarnogrodzki became caretaker coach.
Only in the LOI could you get a question like number 15!!#greatestleagueintheworld pic.twitter.com/pgnOd4BTJd
— sean Cotter (@seanco88) July 23, 2015
19. Where stars are born
11 yrs ago today @KevinDoyle1983 played Wes Hoolahan in the @SSEAirtricityLg, both have done well since! #TBThursday pic.twitter.com/edzS8hYehu
— Inpho Photography (@Inphosports) October 29, 2015
20. Clubs make hay while the sun’s shining
RT our Bray match poster & you could win a @stpatsfc jersey! Anyone wearing a mankini or bikini tomorrow gets in free pic.twitter.com/itA2OcJ2Fk
— St Patrick's Athletic FC (@stpatsfc) August 13, 2015
21. Even the thieves know some items are just too scared to steal
You wouldn’t get that level of respect in the Premier League.
The Club Shop was broken into again last night for the second time in a number of months. There was nothing taken… http://t.co/Ky3FSkSdy9
— Athlone Town FC – Unofficial (@AthloneTownFC) April 15, 2015
22. International recognition
Richie Towell of Dundalk gets a mention in @marca today pic.twitter.com/J8Gd09aY1r
— Dermot Corrigan (@dermotmcorrigan) November 25, 2015
23. Golazos
24. Wondersaves
VIDEO | Paul Hunt produced an unbelievable double save tonight to keep Shelbourne out #CRFC pic.twitter.com/KcCTaorze7
— Cobh Ramblers FC (@CobhRamblersFC) April 28, 2017
25. Even the ball boys are passionate
The Ballboy's reaction to Stephen McPhail's @ShamrockRovers free kick sums up the mood of all @LimerickFCie fans.https://t.co/QItEqkri1P
— Darren Cleary (@RadioCleary) October 23, 2015
26. The mascots
The sidelines are alive with big cats, goats and superheroes.
https://twitter.com/LOIDOTIE/status/609441419703488512
https://twitter.com/MrCeltic67/status/327910807453188096
27. They paint you a picture
We may not know art, but we know what we like… REALLY BIG BANNERS!!!
28. Every league needs a Neymar
Joga bonita, Shannonside.
El @LimerickFCie de la Liga irlandesa fichó al doble de @neymarjr http://t.co/DyZrq3CZ6f pic.twitter.com/ainQRr9AAS
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) August 30, 2015
29. Rewarding fans
But only to those who’ve earned it.
To celebrate the new @FootballManager, the 1st person to win the Premier Division with us wins a Cabo Season Ticket! https://t.co/kM8YtLWF9c
— Cabinteely FC (@Cabinteely_FC) November 11, 2015
We have teamed up with @FootballManager, the winner of our competition will become a player in the game! https://t.co/q2OkYs3nnT
— Cabinteely FC (@Cabinteely_FC) November 23, 2015
30. Joey Barton
He’s too clearly intimidated to play in it. Let’s consider that a victory.
https://twitter.com/LOIDOTIE/status/628933373696847873?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
No. Probably retire. Unless of course I lost all my money in a Bernie Madoff style ponzi and had no other option. https://t.co/kXXasGQwbZ
— 👑 Joey Barton 👑 (@Joey7Barton) August 5, 2015
31. Outstanding promos
Goosebumps.
32. Video game superstars
Andy Boyle owned that cover way better than Jordan Henderson ever could.
33. Priorities
In 2016, Cabinteely FC teamed up with the Dublin School of Grinds so that their U19 squad would receive free Leaving Certificate grinds.
The club said on its official website that “this study/training/play balance will give young players the opportunity to achieve their true potential, not only on the pitch, but also help them to achieve their academic goals.”
How awesome is that?
34. It’s not about the money
How much is his contract worth?? pic.twitter.com/bWcaRfhfgH
— Des Walsh (@desTHFC) January 5, 2018
35. The transfer announcement photos
They’re next level.
Deevers declares for Harps #UTH #ThisIsOurshttps://t.co/yhKQeDPg2d pic.twitter.com/UfjXCh8Mzc
— Finn Harps FC (@FinnHarpsFC) January 3, 2018
36. …and they’re well aware of it.
At least they can have a laugh about it.
Taco sauce added in for a hat trick.
— Finn Harps FC (@FinnHarpsFC) January 3, 2018
37. Alf Stewart
Need we say more?
https://twitter.com/dyjaho/status/920415988344152065
38. Michael D Higgins
Uachtaran na hEireann approves of this message.
39. The Freudian slips
*suppresses giggles*
https://twitter.com/GazzaONuallain/status/893581644426248193
40. The poetry
‘Fuckin’ hell!’
G'wan Trevor Clarke @ShamrockRovers #KOH #Tallaght #RoversBohs pic.twitter.com/baD4UPrwAh
— Simon Walsh (@SiiWalsh) March 3, 2017
41. And finally…
Proof doesn’t come much more definitive than this.
The greatest one of all who played in Dalyer has wished us a happy 125th birthday. #Bohs #Pele #mrgreen #Dalymount pic.twitter.com/1nOb2hWBSH
— Bohemian Football Club (@bfcdublin) October 16, 2015
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