Much to the annoyance of LetsGetAlongerists and supporters of IFA-Land, the Irish team at the European Championships wore black armbands as a mark of respect to the six Irish supporters murdered by the UVF terrorists in 1994.
Of course the gesture is a new bond between the Irish team and their supporters in the Six Counties. And thats what really annoys the LetsGetAlongerist community. Shame on them.
Keeping An Eye On the Czar of Russia 
It was a great gesture and tbh, seeing the response from the likes of Trevor Ringland conflating there feelings about eligibility rules and seemingly trying to go out of their way to belittle what happened at Loughinisland, as you can tell, I felt quite angry about it.
I know many will say or believe Ringland meant well but his thinking and those who support or agree was poorly thought out.
Mr Fitz,
I thought it was a dignified, thoughtful and honourable gesture. It was, at the end of the day, a recognition of six Irishmen who died while watching their team in their local. Because they were Irishmen watching their team in their local. By that same team.
I think this point was missed by those who sought to denigrate the gesture or suggest it ignored other victims of sectarian violence.
Anyhow I was very proud of them for doing it and ignoring the usual naysayers.
I think the point missed by the naysayers is the unique circumstances surrounding the tribute. Those supporters were murdered on the same date as the Ireland played the Italy whom they played on Monday, they did so while cheering on the irish team.
Sadly a lot of unionist politicians have made the issue a political one, I suspect as it is another “official” recognition by the FAI of their northern supporters.