The Republic of Ireland's long overdue rebrand was revealed this evening, with the FAI revealing a new Ireland crest to go along with a change in the Association's branding.
The previous crest used by our national teams have long been an issue of contention for supporters. It was not popular, being very bland looking and have little it to indicate what country it represented.
A campaign has been underway for some time to 'bring back the shamrock', with the FAI duly obliging.
Ireland's new crest, which was unveiled on social media this evening, is certainly a major shift from the previous edition.
Our new National Team crest, a nod to the past but set for the future
A symbol that represents our pride, passion, ambition and truly celebrates our iconic Shamrock ☘️⚽️ #IrelandFootball | #WeAreOne pic.twitter.com/oiHPaglBLA— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) March 9, 2023
Ireland Football is the new home of the Ireland Men’s, Women’s and Under-age National Football Teams
For news relating to the FAI, please visit @FAIreland #IrelandFootball pic.twitter.com/scjA9yLpCP— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) March 9, 2023
It's a very good effort. The return of the shamrock is a nice touch, as is the incorporation of the Irish flag underneath.
One notable aspect is the change in name to 'Ireland Football', with a move away from including 'FAI' on the crest.
In fact, it seems as though the FAI branding will now be completely separate to our various national teams.
The FAI are proud to launch two new identities for both the FAI and the Ireland National Teams.
Iconically Irish, honouring the past but ready for a bright future. pic.twitter.com/wHT0Z1cepn— FAIreland (@FAIreland) March 9, 2023
In terms of fan reaction to these, it has been mixed to an extent.
Supporters have mixed opinions on new Ireland crest
The new Ireland crest is along the lines of what was expected, although there was always a fear that it would not be up to par and we would be stuck with it on kits moving forward.
Fortunately, the reaction to the badge itself has been largely positive.
🇮🇪| The official new crest of Ireland
I like this one, I like it a lot
A new era for Ireland, let’s help make it a good one
COYBIG ☘️💚 pic.twitter.com/dgyKIZ074U— IrishPropaganda🇮🇪⚽️ (@IrishPropaganda) March 9, 2023
The new ireland crest is officially out!🇮🇪
I’m surprisingly very impressed, let’s hope the jersey are just are nice🤞🏼 pic.twitter.com/HTYbvcTebA— Rep of Ireland Player Tracker (@reptracker) March 9, 2023
Anyone else liking the new Ireland crest 😍 pic.twitter.com/ZVZ1pXgODm
— STEEL 🇮🇪 (@1chunk909) March 9, 2023
The new Ireland crest is a thousand times better than the old one btw. People just love to moan 🤣
— 🥔 (@BohemianMassive) March 9, 2023
New #Ireland crest.
Personally feel it’s a big improvement over the last weird abstract thing they had.
Like the nod to the older Italia 90 crest
Overall it’s a thumbs up from me 🇮🇪
pic.twitter.com/DiAPNXyO5K— Craig - Football Kit Memories Podcast (@FKMPodcast) March 9, 2023
New crest on the Ireland jerseys is class 👌🇮🇪☘️ pic.twitter.com/gCK8kTp6ax
— FPL Goonie 🇮🇪 🇨🇦 (@FplGoonie) March 9, 2023
Big fan of this new crest.
Obviously Ireland are now going to win the World Cup. Both of them. https://t.co/3yxxtDiNBU— Mark Rodden (@MRodden) March 9, 2023
Good stuff that https://t.co/D6uLwq9bdo
— Alex (@alexdunnesf) March 9, 2023
Already an improvement on the old one 👍🏻 https://t.co/bPZwda2DST
— F🍐 (@feeuhkra) March 9, 2023
Very pleased about the return of the shamrock!! https://t.co/cwbRw9dMGr
— … (@Deadly_Aoife) March 9, 2023
Love this! 💚🤩 https://t.co/RMjZZ2S3CO
— Matt Craddock (@MattyCraddock1) March 9, 2023
Oh that is beautiful https://t.co/ebnThyyXrf
— B6 Ben🇵🇹 (@OcBen) March 9, 2023
Of course, it is impossible to please everyone on issues such as this one. Among the more common complaints are that it is a little bit generic looking with one fan say that it resembles the off-brand tops you'd buy in Penneys back in the day. Some also would have preferred to see 'Éire' included as opposed to 'Ireland'.
In saying that, the reaction to the new Ireland crest has been overwhelmingly positive.
On the other hand, the 'Ireland Football' rebrand has proven to be less so.
It is clear what the FAI were doing there. The Association has developed an overwhelmingly negative reputation in recent years, with this being an effort to separate the FAI and the Republic of Ireland national team as a brand.
That is fair enough, but some have question why 'Ireland Football' was the moniker they opted to employ.
Bit of a PES feel about Ireland Football
— Cillian Sheridan (@CillianSheridan) March 9, 2023
Crest is an improvement. I'd have thought Football Ireland would be better than Ireland Football but hey ho. https://t.co/1ssQQlKtPn
— Neil O'Riordan (@noriordan) March 9, 2023
Nice crest but 'Ireland Football', not so sure on that.
Peil Na HÉireann would be a better look and would roll off the tongue a bit better in my opinion. https://t.co/dxkEHznVMm— James O'Donoghue (@odonoghuejames) March 9, 2023
I like the crest. I don't like the Yoda name. https://t.co/indFG2YsQn
— Owen Cowzer (@OCowzer) March 9, 2023
Ireland football. 😂😂
— Seán (@seanyfizzle) March 9, 2023
Nice crest and glad to see the shamrock back! Ireland football though 🤔 https://t.co/dJa2rX5I37
— Laura Ní C (@laucarney) March 9, 2023
ireland football is a shocking name but crest is nice https://t.co/ju5kY6KANK
— matthew🐸 (@DeathToElonMusk) March 9, 2023
Who’s looking forward to the 2023 Ireland Football Cup? pic.twitter.com/LaOW6gZbBm
— Dodge (@seidodge) March 9, 2023
I really like it 👏🏼🇮🇪💚
Just dont like “Ireland Football” https://t.co/eDpaC5f6ah— Jason O'Connor (@Jayoconnor8) March 9, 2023
Considering how eagerly anticipated this rebrand was, it's probably fair to say that it looks like a success at this stage.
The new Ireland crest has gone down very well, and while the 'Ireland Football' tag has received a less positive reaction, you'd imagine we will all get used to it in time.
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