Beannachtaí Ciaran Clark

December 6th, 2010 | by: Schwallacus | Comments Off

Welcome, Mr Ciaran Clark!  While one can argue that his first goal against Arsenal was offside, I’d like to think there was no way of stopping such a beautiful volley from the foot of an Irishman.  Yes, Mr. Clark has vocalized his desire to play for the Eire NT and if he can help us in scoring goals like that, lets sign his name up!

pink umbro crest

Well, next to this line is the new crest that was recently revealed for the friendly against Norway.  Don’t worry too much, this isn’t a new crest or jersey for the FAI.  It is from the warm up top the lads had before their game, to help and raise awareness for cancer, in particular breast cancer.  The FAI partnered up with Umbro and the Irish Cancer Society to make this top, which will grant 10% of all funds that are received with the sale of this jersey to Action Breast Cancer, a smaller division of the ICS.  This is a huge step towards raising awareness on an issue that affects many people every single day.  While it isn’t the first jersey to try and raise awareness for a cause (That goes to PUMA, and their World Cup kits), it is the first one that raises a view on something that affects everyone.  Everyone either knows someone who has cancer, has had cancer themselves, or knows someone who is affected by another person who has some form of cancer.  While it isn’t a full fledged fund, dinner, or activity to raise money for cancer research and things, it is a step in the right direction.  The lads wore these to be seen by many people, both those who were at the stadium, saw the game on TV, and those who saw the highlights later on.

While it may not seem like a big deal, the Irish National team has now shown that they are ready and willing to help bring support for a cause that still commands so much attention as we still don’t have a simple and easy cure.  Now, more countries need to follow the example of Ireland and raise support in their own way.  Or, in whatever way possible.  As we saw in the World Cup this past summer, the whole entire world stopped to watch it, even those people whose countries weren’t playing or had been knocked out.  Now, imagine if some of those teams had a symbol like a ribbon for a disease or cancer, and how much attention it would have received?  I may be thinking too broadly for some, but I believe that through soccer, football, Fußball, or whatever one calls it, we can raise enough to help find a cure, and find a way to fight our common enemy- cancer.

Bless you all, and Éire go Brách!