{"id":7056,"date":"2026-05-20T16:18:04","date_gmt":"2026-05-20T08:18:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.boasecohencollins.com\/?p=7056"},"modified":"2026-05-20T16:18:08","modified_gmt":"2026-05-20T08:18:08","slug":"toasting-the-original-irish-rovers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.boasecohencollins.com\/zh-hant\/%e7%b6%b2%e8%aa%8c\/toasting-the-original-irish-rovers\/","title":{"rendered":"Toasting the original Irish rovers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Dublin, 20 May 2026: <\/strong>In the annals of Sino-Irish relations, Tony O\u2019Neill deserves special mention. In 1976, as coach and doctor to the University College Dublin football team, he organised a pioneering tour to China. The students thought he was mad but O\u2019Neill \u2013 known to all as \u201cThe Doc\u201d \u2013 worked out his plan, unearthed contacts and found sponsors to help fund the bold venture. It was the first visit by a Western football team since the establishment of the People\u2019s Republic of China in 1949.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alas, after their first match, played in front of 40,000 fans in Shanghai, the nation was plunged into mourning by the passing of Mao Zedong. The remaining games were cancelled and the players spent their spare time taking in the sights and sounds of the nascent modern China. \u201cThe Doc\u201d subsequently penned a tour diary for The Irish Press<\/em>, describing the details of everyday life there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The landmark tour is back in the news<\/a> as I arrive in Dublin for this week\u2019s Ally Law AGM. Some 18 of the ex-players have just returned from a 50th anniversary trip as guests of the Chinese People\u2019s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries. Prior to setting off, they were hosted to a reception at the Chinese Embassy in Dublin, with ambassador Zhao Xiyuan praising O\u2019Neill\u2019s writing for its warmth and curiosity. \u201cSuch openheartedness was admirable then and, in today\u2019s world, it has become exceptionally rare,\u201d he notes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Doc\u201d went on to become a towering figure<\/a> in Irish sport \u2013 a senior administrator with the football governing bodies of Ireland and Europe and a visionary director of sport for University College \u2013 before his premature passing, after a short illness, in 1999. His memory is preserved in the form of various awards, trophies and \u2013 naturally, since this is Ireland \u2013 a bar<\/a>. I will raise a toast to him during my social activities with Ally Law colleagues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On a broader note, these are boom times for Sino-Irish ties. Taoiseach Miche\u00e1l Martin\u2019s recent state visit<\/a> to China for \u201cwarm and constructive\u201d talks with President Xi Jinping and other senior politicians underscored the importance of not only bilateral relations but Ireland\u2019s role as a bridge to ease trade tensions between China and the EU. It is significant that Ireland will hold the rotating EU presidency in the second half of this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bilateral trade has reached more than US$23 billion per year, with China becoming the fourth-largest trading partner of Ireland. There are about 400 Irish companies in China, employing some 5,000 individuals. Chinese firms in Ireland support a similar number of jobs. But it is the educational and cultural exchanges that resonate. At university level, some 110 joint programmes enroll more than 12,000 students. As well, Chinese graduates enjoy work visas of up to two years, cementing Ireland\u2019s appeal as a study destination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ireland\u2019s latest census<\/a> shows some 26,800 Chinese people here, marking a 38% increase in six years, with the majority aged under 40; the Ireland China Culture and Tourism Association promotes mutual understanding, people-to-people exchange and practical cooperation; Dublin has officially celebrated Lunar New Year for almost two decades. Integration? Six years ago, Hazel Chu \u2013 Irish-born daughter to immigrants from Hong Kong and a barrister by profession \u2013 was the first ethnic Chinese to become mayor of a European capital when she took up office in Dublin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many Irish have travelled in the opposite direction \u2013 beginning with 14th century friar James of Ireland<\/a> in tandem with his good friend, the splendidly named Odoric of Pordenone \u2013 giving rise to some notable tales. Sir Robert Hart<\/a> modernised the Qing Dynasty’s customs administration and postal service; botanist Augustine Henry<\/a> sent some 15,000 plant seeds and samples back to Kew Gardens in London from his remote government posting in Hubei Province; in 1931, missionary Father Hugh Sands was kidnapped by communist forces and, on Christmas Day, was visited in his cell by the future Chairman Mao. They had a pleasant chat<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, my adopted city has plenty of connections with the land of Wilde, Shaw and Joyce. In a new book<\/a>, The Irish in Hong Kong<\/em>, author Mark O\u2019Neill details the nine governors and five chief justices from Ireland who served in colonial days, not to mention the nuns who eradicated tuberculosis and priests who founded schools. In the present, my BC&C colleague P\u00e1draig Seif is president of the Irish Chamber of Commerce of Hong Kong<\/a>, which provides networking, resources and other support for individuals and businesses. Of course, socialising is also high on the agenda, typified by a recent party with the Mexican Chamber featuring whiskey and tequila tasting. (I know, what could possibly go wrong?)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thus introduced, MexCham president Yamilette Cano is my latest guest<\/a> on Law & More<\/em>, detailing how she became a professional ballerina before studying international relations at university and relocating to Hong Kong. Among her many talents, she is a public speaking coach. \u201cWork on your body language, it\u2019s the most important communication channel we can have,\u201d she counsels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which brings me back to the Ally Law AGM. With Yamilette\u2019s advice ringing in my ears, I\u2019ll join several others on stage this Friday to discuss the hot topic of cross-border dispute resolution. I\u2019ll do my best to command attention, although I suspect minds might already be on the evening\u2019s closing dinner (at a distillery, of course). Still, we should not lose sight of the bigger picture: adventurous individuals from around the world gathering to discuss, understand and learn from each other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Such a gathering, you suspect, would have full approval from the student pioneers of 1976. In fact, it\u2019s just what \u201cThe Doc\u201d ordered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Until next time, everybody!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Colin Cohen<\/strong>
Senior Partner<\/strong>
Boase Cohen & Collins<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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