New Ireland kit launch overshadowed by furious fan backlash

January 22, 2026

The new Ireland kit launch has been soured by a furious fan backlash over the cost.

On Thursday morning, the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) revealed the men’s and women’s home and away kits, made by Castore, but there was no doubt about the talking point.

The standard replica version of the new Ireland jersey costs €105.00, with the ‘professional’ version carrying the price tag of €145.00.

Yes, you read that correctly.

Not the full kit, only the jersey. No wonder the response has been so scathing.

New Ireland kit response – ‘And they wonder why people buy knock-offs’

On social media, the response to the new Ireland kit was overwhelmingly about the high cost of the shirts, with fans venting their fury.

New Ireland shirts out today.

I know €145 for player fit and €105 for normal replica is pretty much standard across the board these days but still, pretty crazy when you think about it. pic.twitter.com/qKrCmsg15S

— Seán O'Connor (@SeanOCSport) January 22, 2026

On X, the user iGerLynch stated, “€145 for the new Ireland shirt. What are the @FAIreland smoking. That’s an absolute joke, for essentially a t-shirt. Crazy amount, prices so many normal fans and kids out of buying it. And they wonder why people buy knock offs instead. Apologies, rant over. Disgraceful.

Another account @robsmithireland simply stated: “Stop robbing the fans. What a farce.”

@bielslaball commented, “V-neck and a ridiculous price, for Castore of all tops. They wonder why the Chinese market is booming.”

The FAI, Castore and the authorities won’t like to hear this, but the extortionate costs are driving fans toward obtaining cheaper options.

Invariably, that means the type of online marketplace platforms where shirts can be picked up at a fraction of the cost.

The official marketing from the FAI and Castore, as is now a common feature across football, carries verbose and exaggerated descriptions of the new Ireland kit.

Below is an example of this.

https://twitter.com/IrelandFootball/status/2014290413046141041

What is the pro kit version?

In recent years, football kit manufacturers have been releasing more than one version for each new shirt.

The premise is that beyond the standard replica kit launch, which still comes at a premium, you can buy a better, enhanced jersey that is the same as the kit worn by the players.

Except, often it isn’t.

Yes, the material is a more ‘athletic’ fit and feel, and of better quality than the base kit, but it is not always identical to what is worn on the pitch in look and feel.

The new Ireland kit is another example of this, as pointed out on X by @ajryannn

“Player fit should come sponsorless with the option for front print, like every other national team.”

The Republic of Ireland are one of the outliers when it comes to international kit sales, as the jerseys sold to the fans contain a shirt sponsor, Sky TV.

On the pitch, no shirt sponsors are permitted in international football, so how can this be a genuine pro version? It isn’t.

Ireland fans enticed by the counterfeit option

Many fans will buy the new drop from official sources, but a lot will be deterred by the cost and enticed by the counterfeit option.

At €105 and €145, plenty will simply be priced out.

The same goes for parents with young kids eager to wear the shirt of their heroes, with the new kit to be worn in Ireland’s upcoming World Cup playoff against the Czech Republic.

The kids’ version of the new Ireland shirt costs €85, with the shorts at €48 and the socks costing €19.

€152 in total for the new Ireland kit for a kid. Wow.

Image credit: @irelandfootball/X