Shelbourne's Dutch Roots: How Ajax's Legacy Continues to Inspire Irish Football

What happened?

When David Winner wrote Brilliant Orange: The Neurotic Genius of Dutch Football, he began with chapter five before immediately moving to chapter seven followed by chapter nine. This non-sequential numbering embodied the spirit of “Total Football”, developed by the great Ajax manager Rinus Michels, which encouraged supremely gifted players to change positions with any team-mate during a match.

Why it matters for Shelbourne

Irish links with Ajax have deep roots, beginning in 1910 when John Kirwan became their first professional manager. A remarkable sportsman, in 1894 aged just 17 Kirwan “won” an All-Ireland football championship with Dublin after a reply against Cork was abandoned following a brawl.

What comes next?

Shelbourne will face off against Ajax in the Uefa Conference League on Thursday, with the match taking place at the 55,000-capacity Johan Cruyff Arena. The Irish side will be looking to draw inspiration from the Dutch masters who have shaped their game for over a century.

Shelbourne's recent form has been inconsistent, with a 0-0 draw against Waterford followed by a 1-0 loss to the same team. The team's next fixture is against Ajax, with the match taking place on Thursday. League standing: 5th in Premier Division, 34 pts, 8W-10D-7L from 25 games, recent form LWDLD. Goals this season: 35 scored, 36 conceded (-1 goal difference). Title race: 17 points behind leaders Shamrock Rovers.

The Irish connection was later strengthened in 1987 when Ajax, now managed by Johan Cruyff, signed Frank Stapleton as a replacement for AC Milan-bound Marco van Basten. Stapleton only made a handful of appearances for Ajax, although his sole goal came against familiar opponents. In September 1987 Dundalk met defending champions Ajax in the first round of the European Cup Winners’ Cup. In the first leg in Amsterdam, Dundalk held out in a goalless first half with the hosts booed off and Stapleton introduced as a substitute. The change proved inspired with Ajax going on to win 4-0 with Stapleton completing the scoring.

As Shelbourne prepares to face off against Ajax, they will be drawing on the legacy of the Dutch masters who have shaped their game for over a century. The match will be a chance for the Irish side to learn from the best and take inspiration from the Dutch approach to the game.