Glory Nights and Heartache is a book for anyone who has stood on a terrace, celebrating a victory or swearing they are finished with football only to always be drawn back. It brings together writers who love Irish football up close as supporters. Starting with one match, each essay expands to take in the rivalries, disappointments and the rare, unforgettable nights when everything went right. It details the experience of following the Republic of Ireland men’s team from Amsterdam to Kazakhstan and how the women’s team went from obscurity to playing in a World Cup finals.

Whether examining the rivalry between Dublin clubs, how regional towns and cities identify with the teams that represent them, or the experience of black players in Ireland, this unique book, written by supporters for fellow supporters, captures the essence of the game in Ireland. Here are tales of family and friendship, glorious highs and financial collapses, and hopes that refuse to disappear. Funny, moving and brutally honest, it captures why following Irish football gets under your skin and never lets you go.