Trap: Irish fans love rugby more

Former Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni claimed Irish sports fans care more about rugby than football.

Writing in Italy’s Gazzetto dello Sport ahead of the Giro d’Italia which started in Belfast yesterday, Trapattoni claimed: “The Irish are a hugely proud nation and very, very passionate — although the passion is more evident in rugby than in football.

“When I lived there I went to see two or three rugby matches and I was struck by the good behaviour and expertise of the spectators, and the sense of belonging to that world and the 15 players wearing the green jersey.