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Davy Keogh says hello! A brief history of Irish flags on tour

A few of our favourite flags from over the years.

IT HAS BECOME an essential part of many Irish fans’ kit when travelling abroad to a major tournament — so you can bet there will no shortage of custom-made flags on show in France over the next few weeks.

From the weird and wonderful to the downright idiotic, you get the feeling that you’ve seen every possible variation over the years — until the next one comes along.

Get it right and you make international headlines, as the ‘Angela Merkel Thinks We’re At Work’ lads discovered four years ago.

Fly it proudly for long enough and you become part of the country’s footballing furniture, like the globe-trotting Davy Keogh.

Our friends over at DailyEdge.ie have already picked out some of this year’s best efforts but here is a brief history of the greats from years gone by.

The flags weren’t always so complicated

A simple “Duff Em Up” back in 2003

Republic of Ireland Fans INPHO INPHO

And who cares if Ireland aren’t even playing in the tournament?

We couldn’t be the 33rd team, so Niall Keogh and Niall Mallin brought this to the 2010 World Cup

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And these fans were feeling nervous at the 2013 U17 World Cup

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You know you’re truly loved as a player or manager when you have your own flag

A Richard Dunne tribute at a 2012 friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina

A Richard Dunne flag James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

We all dream…

flag balls.ie / Mike O'Sullivan balls.ie / Mike O'Sullivan / Mike O'Sullivan

The man, the myth, the legend

Ireland fans display a flag Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

In Trap we trust(ed)

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Some of the most iconic moments in Irish football history in one place

Irish flags Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

One of our favourites, flown high in Warsaw last October

These days you can be sure to find a few Father Ted references

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Euro 2012 was when flag fever reached its height… until now

Irish fans with the Angela Merkel flag James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

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And last but not least…

Davy always says hello — fair play to him

Davy Keogh

Republic of Ireland fans

Republic of Ireland fan Davy Keogh

Davy Keogh from Dublin and Euan Traynor from Monaghan Donall Farmer / INPHO Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO

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