Up Cork or Up (?)

Posted by Lewis on December 17, 2004

In Reply to: Up Cork or Up (?) posted by SR on December 17, 2004

: What is the origin of 'up' as a shout of support or encouragement? I remember shouting 'Up Cork' as a sign of support for the Cork teams in hurling or football when I was young. Is this a phrase used only in Ireland or is it still in common usage anywhere else?
: Why 'up?'
: I haven't heard it used much here in the US except as a toast in some Irish pubs.

'Up' a team could simply be from league matches in which the team strive to be at the top of the table.
'Onwards!' would be better suited to cup competitions - as in 'on towards the final!'

Portsmouth aka 'Pompey' have a chant 'play up Pompey, Pompey play up' to the tune made by a carillon of bells.

L