Chris Dunlavy
A FRESH TAKE ON FOOTBALL

IS IT any wonder James McClean relished playing for the Republic of Ireland so much? It was, after all, the only place he ever got a break from the relentless abuse he’s suffered throughout his career.
Some argue he brought it on himself by not wearing a poppy, posing in a balaclava and switching his ties from Northern Ireland.

Yet a Catholic faith and separatist politics are no excuse for racist chants, less still ongoing threats to his family and children.

Now he has brought the curtain down on a 100-plus cap career, it would be nice to think op...