Actions, not cruel words, will win this sporting battle

IS it just me, or does this hatred of the English thing go a bit too far.

Now, I know it’s in all of us, especially when we go abroad (I once had to be rescued from a Bulgarian bar at 4am after I was found facing down 30 English soccer supporters, roaring on about 800 years of oppression as the barman belted out U2’s Sunday, Bloody Sunday on the stereo). Cringe.

But that incident notwithstanding, I am not a fan of Wolfe Tones-style fireside republicanism and think the abuse the British are constantly subjected to does stray over the top.