Rewriting the history of the origins of Irish soccer

This weekend brings the anniversary the first playing of soccer in Ireland — or so the story goes, writes Paul Rouse.

And that story as it is told appears a relatively straightforward one, a story with the sort of clarity that lends itself to an easy telling.

Central to it is the Belfast businessman, John McAlery, who is credited with bringing soccer to Ireland and of building the foundations of the game in this country.