Republic of Ireland or Eyre. The predicament of Irish football is to supply English clubs. No way of having strong clubs and championship in such circumstances – Irish clubs are quite old, but poor. It did not matter were they professional or not, since everyone able to kick a ball straight was moving to the next island. Local glory was left to Irish clubs and TV for the fans. The national team, consisting entirely of foreign-based players, was the best of Irish football and very little can be said for the rest. Mainly names and numbers, just for the record.

Drogheda United was 3rd in the championship. One nickname of the club is 'the Turks'.

Bohemians (Dublin) finished 2nd. Better known name to outsiders, but wrongly known – the actual name is just Bohemian FC.

And the champions are:

Great! But what could be said about them? The club was founded in 1928. Plays in the Irish league since 1934. The name in Irish Celtic is Cumann Peile Ruagairí Shligigh - a mouthful. They are cooperatively owned by the people of Sligo, which is a rare structure and in 21 century – very unusual curisoisity. Back in 1977, the owners sedated in the local pubs were surely prod and happy – a second title! They had to wait 40 years for that moment. 40 years is a lot of beer.

The Cup final opposed more familiar names: Limerick and Dundalk.

Limerick hoped to win a second Cup, but unfortunately they lost 0-2.

Dundalk won their 5th Cup. 'Five' was their number in 1976-77: 5th in the championship, not much by any measure, but the other 5th, the Cup, was a success. Pints of beer happily poured for sure.

Beer is beer, but what to say about 'the Lilywhites'? Well, the nickname comes from the colour of their shirts. They were founded in 1903. They are the second most successful club in the history of Irish football. Domesticly successful, that is. And their non-English name is Cumann Peile Dhún Dealgan of course. Back to beer, then, mulling over the Irish word for football. Or soccer.