One of the British TV commentators was referring to the Irish soccer team as "we" Well, what made it extra notable was that he was a former manager of the English team.

Actually I think most English people I've met tend to think of it that way, and it'll stay that way up until the day the Irish team meets the Engish team in the final (and that's the only way they can actually meet in this year's World Cup). That's largely because all the Irish players play normally in English clubs.