For most Irish football fans the choice is simple, you either support one of the big Premier League teams like Manchester United or Liverpool or support a League of Ireland team. Quite often who you support comes down to who your family and friends root for.
For others, the decision is not that simple and they have to look further afield for a team that they identify with. Some look to La Liga and support Barcelona or Real Madrid while younger football fans might support trendy European teams like Borussia Dortmund or Ajax.
While it is easy to casually support a continental team from afar, it is much harder when you're a hardcore fan. As someone who is a Bayern Munich supporter, it is not always easy to stay committed when the team you support is so far away.
For those who support Premier League clubs, they can take a short weekend trip across the water to catch a game, but it takes a bit more planning when you support a team that is over 1,000 miles away. In March of 2017, I did just that and set out to experience a game at the Allianz Arena.
Before that though, I will try to explain how I became a Bayern Munich fan in the first place. For years I used to watch highlight shows whether it was Serie A, Ligue 1 or the Eredivise. Then one day I came across a Bundesliga highlight show and straight away I was hooked.
Just seeing the enormous banners and the relentless energy of the fans was a great introduction to the league. Then I started to watch some games and I was impressed by how entertaining they were. While there were youngsters coming through the league, there was still the sense that it was well behind the other European leagues in terms of quality.
This was around 2008 and while Arjen Robben and Frank Ribery had just come in, my favourite player was Italian striker Luca Toni. The old school number 9 was a huge reason why Bayern won the league that year after scoring 24 league goals.
Deflating defeat
From then on Bayern were my team and the next few years was a rollercoaster ride. While the loss to Inter in the 2010 Champions League final did hurt, there was a sense that the team were only really emerging at that point. It was the 2012 Champions League final that really stung.
Müller found himself at the far post and headed it past Petr Čech. Surely they could hold on for the win? Then Drogba cropped up from a corner and the game completely changed.
That was as deflated as I've ever been as a football fan and it felt like this team had well and truly missed their shot, especially seeing as it was in their home stadium. Bayern lost the Bundesliga title to Borussia Dortmund that year so the Champions League was the only chance for silverware.
Bayern Munich's anguish in the penalty shoot-out during the UEFA Champions League Final soccer match, Bayern Munich Vs Chelsea at Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany on May 19th, 2012. Chelsea won 1-1 (4 penalties to 3). Photo by Henri Szwarc/ABACAPRESS.COM # 320844_038I never expected the next season though to be one of the best in the club's history and the treble never really seemed likely. While I did have confidence in the team, many people felt they were lucky to get to the Champions League final the year before. It was the 4-0 thrashing of Barcelona that year that really made people stand up and take notice.
With a midfield of Bastian Schweinsteiger, Toni Kroos and Javi Martinez they controlled games and provided the service for the likes of Robben and Mario Mandzuckic. The 2013 Champions League final was nerve-racking to say the least and I was the only one up for Bayern amongst my friends.
We were all expecting it to go to extra time and then out of nowhere Robben surged into the box and managed to roll the ball past Roman Weidenfeller. I couldn't contain my excitement, but after what had happened the year prior I couldn't celebrate too much. When the final whistle blew it was more relief than anything and once again Bayern were the kings of Europe.
Munich's Arjen Robben (L) celebrates his 1-2 goal during the Champions League final between German soccer clubs Borussia Dortmund (BVB)and Bayern Munich at Wembley Stadium in London, United Kingdom, 25 May 2013. Photo: RevierfotoMatchday experience
Eventually, my fandom got to the point where I wanted to have a taste of the matchday experience at the Allianz Arena. My Dad and I managed to get tickets for a Bundesliga game against Eintracht Frankfurt, but it came at a fairly steep price. The match was on Saturday so we decided to fly in on the Friday night.
I remember Ireland were playing Wales in the Six Nations that night and we went to an Irish pub when we got in. The place was absolutely packed full of Irish people and It felt like we were back at home watching the game.
When it came to the Saturday we took a trip down to the main square called the Marienplatz to soak in the pre-game atmosphere. I remember a group of Eintracht Frankfurt fans hijacking a tram and making sure everyone heard them.
After a short trip to the fan store to get the newest jersey, it was time to get the tube out to the stadium. For anyone wondering the stadium is quite a bit out from the city centre so we had to get the U-Bahn out to it.
Muller setting up Lewandowski for a goalThe walk up to the stadium did take a while but it's a sight to behold once you get there. One of the best things about the matchday experience was how the fans at either end of the ground were on their feet for the entire game and never stopped chanting.
One of the funniest moment was when the scores from the other games came up on the big screen and it showed Dortmund were losing to Hertha Berlin...It got the biggest cheer of the day.
All in all, to be able to finally see my favourite team in action was a truly special experience. Bayern's motto is 'Mia San Mia' which is a Bavarian variation on the term "We are who we are." While it might not seem like much, it's really about being proud of who you are and what you stand for.
It has been a unique experience supporting Bayern Munich but it's also one I truly cherish. While it is much easier to support a Premier League club, I feel like I'm part of something bigger and part of a community of hardcore supporters that care about their club.
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