Tommy Martin: Can we catch a glimpse of being a proper football country?

The direction of travel has shifted, the mythical thing has been glimpsed, the shining city spotted on the distant hill: being a proper football country.

CARDS ON THE TABLE: Maurice
Nugent during a Galway United FC squad portrait session at the Galmont Hotel. Pic: Seb Daly, Sportsfile

LAST year a former Republic of Ireland international, a seasoned Premier League player, was taking in a Shamrock Rovers European game at Tallaght Stadium. 

Eyeing the neat and largely full stands, the slick playing surface and the brilliant glow of the floodlights, he had a bittersweet thought: “This is what it feels like to be a proper football country.”