Séamas O'Reilly: We're not at the World Cup, but neutrality is not an option

Lately, being a football fan has meant having to swallow a lot of bitter pills, some so revolting you start to wonder if each compromise is even worth it

Séamas O'Reilly. Picture: Orfhlaith Whelan

What is the correct course of action for the neutral? I speak, firstly, as a football fan, gazing upon the sight of yet another international tournament to which we have not been invited. Or rather, one for which our invitation was cruelly rescinded simply because we didn’t win enough football matches. I guess Irish people should be used to neutrality, I just sometimes wish it was of our own choosing.

When I worked in an office, the answer to this query was simple; take part in a World Cup raffle and cleave to my chosen team like the soil within their hills was the blood that filled my veins. So it was that I became so catatonically invested in Uruguay’s progress in 2014, that I found myself defending Luis Suarez’ latest acts of cannibalism to a break room filled with English fans. Since I now work for myself, contriving this arrangement on my own would be a sadder pursuit than even I can contemplate.