The Representation of African and Afro-Irish Players in the Media Coverage of Irish Football: A Study of the League of Ireland

Abstract

African and Afro-Irish players have become an increasingly visible presence in Irish football over the past two decades, reflecting the growing diversity of Irish society. The media plays a significant role in shaping how these athletes are perceived by the public, acting as a key site for the construction of narratives around race, identity, and belonging. In Ireland, football coverage across digital and traditional outlets often serves as a lens through which broader social dynamics are reinforced or challenged.

This dissertation investigates how African and Afro-Irish footballers are represented in Irish sports media, with a focus on the League of Ireland. It addresses four key research questions: how these players are portrayed; what stereotypes or narrative tropes are most common; how fans perceive and internalize these portrayals; and how media framing affects public discourse on national identity. A mixed-methods approach was adopted. A survey of over 100 football fans was used to gather data on public perceptions of media representation. In addition, a content analysis of Five articles from The42.ie was conducted to assess dominant frames and descriptors used by Irish sports journalists.