Reclaiming the tricolour

In the past couple of years, the tricolour has been flown a lot at unpalatable gatherings of narrow-minded, not to say extreme right, individuals. 
I recently read in the Irish Times an interesting article about the necessity to not let them claim it as their own. I fully agree. 
The tricolour should be flown. With hope, and optimism, and joy, and a love for one's nation that does not presuppose the hate of others. 

Martin and Leo had travelled to the Big Smoke for the Ireland-England soccer match. Well, the trip was 100% instigated and mostly financed by Leo and Martin provided transport and chaperoning services. 

The atmosphere on the way to the stadium was extremely joyful, boisterous even. There was a very tangible sense of possibility as thousands of fans chanted the Boys in Green. Martin found it a touch overwhelming at times and apparently it was the loudest kick off of a sporting event he has ever attended (and he has attended a few).

The chanting died down pretty soon once the match got under way...