Ireland 1997: The Orange Shirt and the Road to France ’98

The Ireland 1997 away shirt is back in stock, and this time every size from small to XXL is available. The last batch sold quickly, and the emails asking when it would return haven’t stopped since. If you missed out before, this is your chance.

Shop the Ireland 1997 orange away shirt

Green and white? Not this time

For decades, Ireland stuck to green and white. Then came the orange away shirt: bright, bold and trimmed in green. It was a shirt you couldn’t miss in a stadium, a beer garden or on a five-a-side pitch, and it’s still one of the most talked-about shirts the Republic ever wore.

Plenty of fans loved it straight away. Others needed convincing. Nearly thirty years on, it’s become a cult favourite, and it’s one of the shirts we get asked about most.

The road to France ’98

The shirt belongs to a period of change for Irish football. Jack Charlton stepped down after Euro ’96, ending the most successful era in the country’s history, and Mick McCarthy took charge for his first qualifying campaign.

The squad mixed experience with new talent. Roy Keane drove the midfield, Denis Irwin brought calm at the back, and a young Shay Given was building the reputation that would make him one of the best goalkeepers of his generation.

Ireland pushed hard in their qualifying group and earned a play-off against Belgium in late 1997. Over two tense legs it slipped away, and France ’98 went ahead without them. It still stings for many fans, but that campaign laid the foundations for the side that reached the 2002 World Cup.

Why fans love it

Retro shirts are about memories as much as design. This one takes people back to crowded pubs, Saturday afternoons and the hope of a new era under McCarthy. It’s also a guaranteed conversation starter. Wear it to a match and someone will ask where you got it.

It works just as well away from football too. The orange stands out with jeans, and it’s a strong pick for festivals, holidays and summer weekends.

Sizing advice

Shirts from the 1990s were cut differently to modern kit, and our reissues follow that fit. We recommend going one size up from what your measurements suggest, especially if you prefer a relaxed fit or like to wear a layer underneath.

Add your name and number

Want to make it yours? Use the Customise tab on the product page and leave your instructions in the note box at checkout. A classic name and number on the back finishes the look.

Get yours while every size is in

Every size is in stock right now, but this shirt has sold out before, so don’t leave it too long.

Shop the Ireland 1997 orange away shirt

Happy with your order? Customers rate us 4.4 on Trustpilot from over 200 reviews.