OPINION has been mixed among Ireland soccer fans after Umbro unveiled a BLUE national team jersey.
The limited edition shirt, which also sports a large shamrock crest, has been released to mark the centenary of the Football Association of Ireland.
A yellow goalkeeper jersey has also been unveiled.
Introducing the Limited Edition Republic of Ireland Centenary Jersey & Collectors Box set by Umbro Ireland. Don’t miss out on your piece of history. Pre-order yours today from @Elverys 👉 https://t.co/hEgFlMzvBJ 🔵
.
.#WeAre100 pic.twitter.com/QwDK9GjcVf— Umbro Ireland (@UmbroIreland) August 20, 2021
Ireland traditionally play in green home shirts, but Umbro say the shirt is a nod to the first ever Republic of Ireland kit, which was St Patrick’s blue.
Following the partition of Ireland, the FAI was formed in 1921 as the Football Association of the Irish Free State (FAIFS).
After being admitted to FIFA in 1923, the team played their first international as the Irish Free State against Bulgaria at the 1924 Paris Olympics.
Check out the beautiful Centenary Goal Keeper Jersey 🟡
.
.#WeAre100 pic.twitter.com/eARbHAqgor— Umbro Ireland (@UmbroIreland) August 20, 2021
Ireland wore their blue change kit in the 1-0 victory to avoid clashing with the Bulgarians, who were in green.
Ireland have played in green since then, with change kits usually being white.
However they have sported black, orange and grey change kits in recent years while occasionally donning navy change shorts.
While the strikingly bold shirt may be historically accurate, opinion over the jersey was divided.
Blue was a bold, one might say, stupid choice.
— Commodus (@OFarrell86) August 20, 2021
Crest is stunning, not sure about that blue though. @MarkIrwinMelbs thoughts?
— Barry McGrath (@barrymcgoo) August 21, 2021
That should be the away kit.
Home kit should be the same but all green
Keep the crest also .— Robbie D (@Robbdoogan1) August 20, 2021
82 euro for a blue Irish jersey. Commemorative or not someone is having a laugh.
— David Browne - The WordPress Guy (@WordPressGuyie) August 21, 2021
I don’t wear jerseys,but this is a nice one to have👌☘️
— David (@oreilly1970) August 20, 2021
People giving out about the color. If that’s what the original color was. What’s the problem.
— David (@oreilly1970) August 20, 2021
We’ve had more kits than competitive wins in the last ten years 😩😅
— GL3NN (@Gl3nnC77) August 20, 2021
It’s unclear whether the commemorative jersey will be worn by the national side.
The Umbro FAI 21 Centenary Boxed Jersey is released on October 1 and is currently available for preorder.
Adult jerseys are priced at €82 with children’s costing €62.
