Roy Keane

[DannyInvincible]

I don't think a lot of people appreciate how strong the diaspora still identify with Ireland, especially in Scotland. Many see themselves as Irish first, Scottish second, even in the third generation.

As has been highlighted, you'd be a fool to question the Irishness of the likes of McCarthy, McGeady, Clark and Kilbane.

[ArdeeBhoy]

It's been said before and I'll say it again. Whatever we thought of RMK as a player, those were his best days, and what he says now has no more credence than the average person in Patrick Street.

If he ever becomes a serious manager, then we might take him seriously....

[DannyInvincible]

Just listening to the interview at the minute. The part relevant to the discussion above begins around the half-an-hour mark and then again around 38 minutes. It continues for the full hour, but haven't gotten that far yet.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Well it's early for you Danny, but should you feel the urge to do so, I'm sure it'll prove the ideal cure for any insomnia issues....

[OwlsFan]

So does Keane think that any of his children born in England should not be eligible to play for Ireland? Did anyone ask him that?

[geysir]

I can get a live stream of the station, fanatic religious stuff,
but can't get any of those podcasts to open up and play

This page opens to the podcast library
Jesus was a Corkman (feed://sport931.podbean.com/feed/atom/)
and Roy's interview in in 'recent articles' from the 'Last 7 days'
and the link to Roy 's interview is the same as given by Fixer.
But Roy is blanking us.

[DeLorean]

Still, at least their so-called media friends aren't alleged paedophiles like Keano's best mate in the press.

Jesus Stutts, leave the elephant in the corner!! :eek:

[DannyInvincible]

At the beginning of the interview, Keane pays a bit of lip-service to the idea that Dublin-based players were favoured treatment-wise and selection-wise over players from Cork and the rest of the country in his time. Is this just a persecution complex of sorts? He doesn't exactly claim things are still like that, as he wouldn't be in a position to judge nowadays, but I know Stephen Ireland made similar claims about the FAI. Was he just taking the hump that he hadn't the red carpet rolled out for him? Isn't it entirely possible that Irish teams might just feature more Dublin players than players from elsewhere for the very obvious reason that football is a largely urban game in Ireland and Dublin is our primary and capital city, home to about a fifth of the island's population? It would be peculiar if our teams didn't feature a significant Dublin contingent.

[DannyInvincible]

So does Keane think that any of his children born in England should not be eligible to play for Ireland? Did anyone ask him that?

That's an interesting proposition. I'm not sure anyone other than the individual player concerned is in any position to judge whether they are Irish or "English through and through". Unless it becomes obvious by their utterances that they have always felt very English and are hopping on the Irish bandwagon not because it offers them a chance to play for Ireland but because it offers them a last-gasp chance to add international football to their CV. Still, it generally seems rather crude and insensitive to start making judgments as to who is "really Irish" and who isn't based on what can only be arbitrary preferences.


This page opens to the podcast library
Jesus was a Corkman (feed://sport931.podbean.com/feed/atom/)

I could believe it for Joe and Mary, but some of the stuff they come out with...

[Charlie Darwin]

At the beginning of the interview, Keane pays a bit of lip-service to the idea that Dublin-based players were favoured treatment-wise and selection-wise over players from Cork and the rest of the country in his time. Is this just a persecution complex of sorts? He doesn't exactly claim things are still like that, as he wouldn't be in a position to judge nowadays, but I know Stephen Ireland made similar claims about the FAI. Was he just taking the hump that he hadn't the red carpet rolled out for him? Isn't it entirely possible that Irish teams might just feature more Dublin players than players from elsewhere for the very obvious reason that football is a largely urban game in Ireland and Dublin is our primary and capital city, home to about a fifth of the island's population? It would be peculiar if our teams didn't feature a significant Dublin contingent.
Stephen Hunt was asked about this on Setanta a few weeks ago and he said that while the Dublin-based players were favoured by international selectors at underage level, they were generally further ahead in their development and it all evened out as they moved up the age grades.

[hoops1]

Never ceases to amaze how all these players that have a love for playing for Ireland never make people aware of it at schoolboy level or before its blatantly obvious they have no hope of playing for the country of their birth.
I have an irish relative and used to spend every summer in Ballygobackwards seems to be enough to satisfy most Irish fans.
Not that it matters to most but you would have more respect if they said Im English but am eligible if you want me to do a job for you. Rather than spout the usual rubbish.
Picking some of these 'plastics' is just another way for the FAI to get away with running football in Ireland properly

[Stuttgart88]

I think you mean "get away with not running it properly" :)

I don't think there's a hard & fast rule over which non-Irish born players I'm comfortable with. As I've said before I use a "gut instinct" test. Most, I'd say nearly all, of those picked in the last few years have passed that test. Those who don't haven't actually been picked.

Is it not testimony to the FAI (or at least someone in Irish football anyway) that this squad will contain Doyle, Long, Fahey and Ward who have all played LOI or been nurtured by it. Mainstays like Given, Keane, Duff, O'Shea, Dunne and Whelan have all come up through the ranks, as have Foley & McCarthy. Others like Hunt and Andrews have been late developers but are Irish born and raised.

I do agree with you that certain players are just chancers, but I think there have been far more of these in the past than there has been from Mick's tenure onwards. It's only right that the FAI team be representative of the diaspora as well as home grown. I don't think we are abusing or stretching this principle right at this time. Talk of Noble, O'Hara and Pennant doesn't sit comfortably.

[OwlsFan]

This thing about the Anglo(Scots) Irish bores me. Truth be told I don't believe we would have qualified for even one competition without them be they Cascarino, McAteer, Alridge, Houghton etc etc. To me my team (Ireland) is a like a club and I don't give a fiddler's flam who turns up in the green jersey provided they give 100%. It doesn't cast me a thought.

Keane in the news again putting feelers out for a job (see below). Must be tired of walking the (still alive) dog. You can see from his comments below that a lot of people have “hurt” Roy. That’s terrible and I feel sorry for him. It’s not like Roy has ever said anything hurtful about others..no way. Wonder which lucky club will get him now that he’s nearly ready to come back. Hope it’s not one of those interfering ones that muck things up on him.

Keane ready for return
By Simon Peach
Wednesday May 11 2011

Former Sunderland and Ipswich boss Roy Keane says he is ready for a return to management and wants to take a club to the "very top".

Keane has been without a job since being sacked by the Tractor Boys in January following a run of seven defeats in nine games.

The ex-Manchester United and Republic of Ireland midfielder had enjoyed a fine start to his career in the dugout by guiding the Blacks Cats to the Championship title in 2007 and keeping them in the top flight the following season, before standing down in December 2008 after a poor run of results.

And the 39-year-old believes he is capable of experiencing success again with the right club having learnt from his mistakes at Portman Road.

"I want a club to take to the very top," he told Irish radio.

"Sunderland was so close, even in my third season there, just a few poor results which every manager goes through.

"I can learn from my mistakes, particularly at Ipswich, and I think potentially I could be a good manager.

"But potential is one thing, going out and doing it is something very different."

Keane also hit out at Sunderland owner Ellis Short, claiming he felt hurt and disrespected during his time at the club leading him to become disillusioned at the Stadium of Light.

"I knew Niall [Quinn] was involved at Sunderland and, on paper, it should have been a nightmare," he said.

"Six or seven Irish fellas involved and all the politics, but it was actually perfect.

"None felt they were the boss so they just let me get on with it and the first two years were a dream, no interference, no nothing.

"That changed when the club was sold to Ellis Short (during the 2008/09 season) and when you have one owner the dynamics of the football club change.

"I was never comfortable. People might think I am a machine and don't get hurt, but I was hurt when I missed the World Cup, I was hurt when I left United.

"I could have stayed with my contract, but my pride had been hurt and I felt I had been disrespected in a big way and stuff that people will never know about.

"When accusations are made against you and you are told where to live or are accused of doing a one-day week, the time is right to go.

"In terms of supporters, Sunderland fans were brilliant, but, as usual, they don't know the whole truth and just believe the headlines and all that.

"Sometimes you feel you want the truth out there, but I have kept my mouth shut. But there was stuff going on in the background I certainly wasn't happy about."

- Simon Peach

[Charlie Darwin]

To be honest, it's hardly unusual for people to develop an interest in their roots in their adult life having not had as much of an interest. There are the likes of Kilbane who were aware of their identity all their lives, but there are probably more who signed up with the Irish team and then began to explore their roots. Look at Chris Hughton - he named his son Cian, one of the least-travelled Irish names going.

[TrapAPony]

This thing about the Anglo(Scots) Irish bores me. Truth be told I don't believe we would have qualified for even one competition without them be they Cascarino, McAteer, Alridge, Houghton etc etc. I don't give a fiddler's flam who turns up in the green jersey provided they give 100%. It doesn't cast me a thought.

I'd go along with that.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Never ceases to amaze how all these players that have a love for playing for Ireland never make people aware of it at schoolboy level or before its blatantly obvious they have no hope of playing for the country of their birth.
I have an irish relative and used to spend every summer in Ballygobackwards seems to be enough to satisfy most Irish fans.
Not that it matters to most but you would have more respect if they said Im English but am eligible if you want me to do a job for you. Rather than spout the usual rubbish.
Picking some of these 'plastics' is just another way for the FAI to get away with running football in Ireland properly

So you've no relations who've ever left Ireland who claimed to be 'Irish' then??

[DannyInvincible]

Never ceases to amaze how all these players that have a love for playing for Ireland never make people aware of it at schoolboy level or before its blatantly obvious they have no hope of playing for the country of their birth.

If I'm not mistaken, eligibility at schoolboy level depends on the location of one's school. It's why Ryan Giggs, for example, played at schoolboy level for England but was only eligible for Wales otherwise. You do recognise that for some dual nationals, the question of allegiance to one nation or the other may not be so simplistic or black-and-white? What would your opinion be on Barry Maguire (born to a Dutch mother and a Dublin father in the Netherlands) lining out for us, for example?


I have an irish relative and used to spend every summer in Ballygobackwards seems to be enough to satisfy most Irish fans.

What criteria would you deem worthy of weeding out pretenders yourself?


Picking some of these 'plastics' is just another way for the FAI to get away with running football in Ireland properly

I wouldn't necessarily disagree there. I do feel it enables the FAI to shirk certain responsibilities by piggy-backing off the youth development systems in place at English clubs. Still, if members of our diaspora wish to play for us, I wouldn't want to be the one to tell them they're not "Irish enough".

[Fergie's Son]

I spoke to the missus about this in relation to our son. He was born in the US (where we live) and she is definitely not Irish or Irish-American. However we've made a conscious decision to raise our son as Irish as possible. Lots of trips back home etc. So on the off chance he was good enough would certain commentators on this website not want Jim declaring for Ireland?

[CraftyToePoke]

So on the off chance he was good enough would certain commentators on this website not want Jim declaring for Ireland?

Little Jim would be more than welcome, as long as he declared nice and early as a first and sole option and didnt use his Irishness as a bargaining tool with any other associations in the lead up. I think most on here would be ok with that, am I wrong?

[Charlie Darwin]

You're putting a lot of pressure on Little Jim. Give him a bit of space lads.

[Fixer82]

:soldier:This is a very grey area. Look at Clinton. He pretty much pi$$ed everyone off on this forum but then gave his all when playing for us and we all loved him when he was scoring goals for us...

ps @fergie's son ....I don't think Ireland has an American Football team ;)

[yiddo]

According to google 93.1fm is a Christian chanell. Is Roy born again?g

Dunno bout that but the reason he did the interview is because it was part of a 24 hour broadcast fundraiser for Cork Simon Community.

[DannyInvincible]

:soldier:This is a very grey area. Look at Clinton. He pretty much pi$$ed everyone off on this forum but then gave his all when playing for us and we all loved him when he was scoring goals for us...

Likewise for Westwood when he made the "I'm a good Catholic boy" gag, but he drew all the plaudits after he saved our skins against Macedonia.

[gastric]

If Roy wants back into management the possibility of him replacing Neil Lennon, if he leaves Celtic, must appeal to him. The controversy, drama, sectarianism and the profile of such a club would suit him. Much of what happens to Celtic managers would be like water off a duck's back to him, and I doubt very much a Hearts fan would attack Keane. The opposite however could occur!


http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/keane-ready-for-return-2644293.html

[OwlsFan]

Much of what happens to Celtic managers would be like water off a duck's back to him, and I doubt very much a Hearts fan would attack Keane. The opposite however could occur!

Lol. There is no vacancy there at the moment though and I don't see Lennon quitting.

[Stuttgart88]

I spoke to the missus about this in relation to our son. He was born in the US (where we live) and she is definitely not Irish or Irish-American. However we've made a conscious decision to raise our son as Irish as possible. Lots of trips back home etc. So on the off chance he was good enough would certain commentators on this website not want Jim declaring for Ireland?

Little Seamus, surely?

[Crosby87]

One can be Irish without having been born there I think. I dont understand why people get mad at others for respecting and loving their heritage.

[TiocfaidhArmani]

The Irish team is a perfect representative of the Irish nation. Our nation is not just on the island itself, the diaspora is all over and our history dictated that. I have no issue with those not born in Ireland representing Ireland. For me, it makes the Irish team even more of an Irish team in the sense it represents the diaspora as well as the island itself.

[Drumcondra 69er]

More rent a quote bull**** from his Corkness. Any validity his argument may have had is lost when he says it's worse now then ever. It was far 'worse' when he was in the squad initially.

He's turned into a caricature at this stage, sad sad man.....

[Fergie's Son]

It's slightly more complicated than just saying that you ha e Irish heritage and that being enough. I'm surrounded by Irish Americans who are well meaning but don't have a clue about modern Ireland. So I think an effort needs to be made to understand the true culture of Ireland to consider yourself Irish (the Kevin Kilbne test if you will) My boy already has a passport and will spend meaningful amounts of time in Ireland.

[Spudulika]

I know that this will come across as being a bit odd, but we need to consider where Roy's coming from and also his "demons". The man has an addictive and self-destructive personality. He kicked the bottle (not in the Staunton sense) and just about prolonged his career. He left so many question marks surrounding his career that it must haunt him (his moves abroad which he scuppered by chickening out and staying at home). If he had not used his ability as a footballer I don't believe there is much doubt that there were chances he'd have ended up quite badly in his life, I think it can kindly be called the gurrier mentality.

His bits about being "hurt" while at Sunderland (and United and Ireland) are frightening. It's hard to figure whether he's using it to excuse his behaviour or he's being brutally honest. Either way he is a) self-delusional, or b) very damaged. He knows little else other than football, or so he thinks, though he is so unsuited to such work at present that his next adventure will be another meltdown. He had his chances but he just couldn't complete it, no shame in that, but his apologists in the media will always love him into another position because he makes their lives so easy.

[Stuttgart88]

I think it's not fair on Keane to believe that every word he speaks in a 60 minute interview to a fringe Christian radio station in Cork is a calculated snipe or dig. I haven't listened to the interview but, as I've pointed out above, his case that the team's Irishness is more "diluted" now than it was in his time is just plain wrong, but I can't disagree with his view on the mooted arrival of O'Hara, Pennant et al.

I think we all agree that the team represents the diaspora, not just the Irish born & bred, but this isn't inconsistent with hoops1's view, though I believe he too is wrong in his initial statement.

[Macy]

So you've no relations who've ever left Ireland who claimed to be 'Irish' then??
I don't think that's what hoops1 was saying though. He's saying it about those who only remember when they won't get picked for the Soctland and England.


To me my team (Ireland) is a like a club and I don't give a fiddler's flam who turns up in the green jersey provided they give 100%. It doesn't cast me a thought.

Pretty much sums up why I have no interest in international football anymore. It is supposed to be different from club football. And yet at the same time the likes of Stephen Ireland or Keane get criticised for turning their back on their country - pretty much double standards imo.

[shakermaker1982]

It is supposed to be different from club football Macy and that is why FIFA have to stop changing the eligibility rules. Surely the point of international football is that footballers from the same country (whether born there or diaspora) get together and represent their country. Clubs can buy in talent but in international football you should be forced to utilise the talents that are at your disposal. Qatar bringing over Brazilians, Europeans and Africans to try and ensure they qualify for major tournaments is a con. They might try hard and be committed but that doesn't mean it's right.

[OwlsFan]

Pretty much sums up why I have no interest in international football anymore.

Why bother posting here then? :)~


It is supposed to be different from club football. And yet at the same time the likes of Stephen Ireland or Keane get criticised for turning their back on their country - pretty much double standards imo

Is it though? Sligo Rovers are supported primarily by people from Sligo, Everton by people from Liverpool, Sheffield Wednesday by people from Sheffield, Shamrock Rovers by people from south Dublin, Manchester United by....well, errr, ummm people all over the world but by and large clubs are supported by people from the area the club is based and the supporters don't care where the players come from so long as they play for the jersey. Ireland is my country (like Shamrock Rovers is my local side) and most of the players will be born in this country and if there are a few so-called mercenaries or plastics among them, so be it. Doesn't cast me a thought.

As for Keane and Ireland (S), it was all the bull*hit and smokescreens that went with it that annoyed me but it's all been said before.

[Macy]

Why bother posting here then? :)~
Well I try not to care, but I would like to support the National team, it's just this type of bs and double standards makes it very hard.


Ireland is my country (like Shamrock Rovers is my local side) and most of the players will be born in this country and if there are a few so-called mercenaries or plastics among them, so be it. Doesn't cast me a thought.
It devalues what it means to represent your country, imo. I think I've been long enough posting on foot.ie for people to know that where someone is born or brought up isn't the defining factor for me. The majority are happy with the current situation and will take any player going, no matter how tenious the link, just to improve the team. That's their perogative, but it doesn't mean we all have to embrace it. It will kill international football in the long run though, when you dilute it to an extent it's seen as an extra club side, more and more players just won't bother their hole playing international football, retire early etc.

[Supreme feet]

Well I try not to care, but I would like to support the National team, it's just this type of bs and double standards makes it very hard.


It devalues what it means to represent your country, imo. I think I've been long enough posting on foot.ie for people to know that where someone is born or brought up isn't the defining factor for me. The majority are happy with the current situation and will take any player going, no matter how tenious the link, just to improve the team. That's their perogative, but it doesn't mean we all have to embrace it. It will kill international football in the long run though, when you dilute it to an extent it's seen as an extra club side, more and more players just won't bother their hole playing international football, retire early etc.


I don't think international football will be 'killed' by Granny-rulers in the long run - the principal FIFA rules on the issue have been in effect for a very long time, going back to Shay Brennan in the 1960s. As Stutts has pointed out, there are far fewer Granny-rulers in the Irish squad now than there were 15 years ago. Pre-Bosman, international football was top dog, but now with so much money in the club game, and the elite clubs becoming horrendously wealthy multinational entities, international football has been overtaken as a spectacle, and in terms of prestige, sponsorship and popularity. That would be my worry about the international game, long-run.

Things like Simon Cox being picked as our seventh-choice striker don't really make me fear for the future of international football. The situation with Qatar has been dealt with and forbidden by FIFA, and really isn't relevant.

[DeLorean]

I think I've been long enough posting on foot.ie for people to know that where someone is born or brought up isn't the defining factor for me. The majority are happy with the current situation and will take any player going, no matter how tenious the link, just to improve the team. That's their perogative, but it doesn't mean we all have to embrace it.

I don't really think many embrace the likes of O'Hara, who has said straight out he'll consider us if all else fails. However, there is nothing any of us can do about the rules, so if O'Hara does end up wearing green, most of us probably won't agree with it, but we're not going to be so put out that we'll stop supporting Ireland altogether. Therefore, the only alternative is to hope he does a good job for us and support him like we do the rest.

[bennocelt]

It's slightly more complicated than just saying that you ha e Irish heritage and that being enough. I'm surrounded by Irish Americans who are well meaning but don't have a clue about modern Ireland. So I think an effort needs to be made to understand the true culture of Ireland to consider yourself Irish (the Kevin Kilbne test if you will) My boy already has a passport and will spend meaningful amounts of time in Ireland.

So would a lot of natives too?

[Fergie's Son]

So would a lot of natives too?

In fairness though they at least wallow in the ignorance by living there. No it's more that many Irish-American's worship a country that doesn't, and perhaps never did, exist. It can be hard to relate to and it would be utterly patronizing if it wasn't so sincere. The Irish American Heritage Centre here in Chicago is a different world sometimes.

My thinking is that an effort needs to be made to consider yourself Irish. That's my test anyways.

[theworm2345]

In fairness though they at least wallow in the ignorance by living there. No it's more that many Irish-American's worship a country that doesn't, and perhaps never did, exist. It can be hard to relate to and it would be utterly patronizing if it wasn't so sincere. The Irish American Heritage Centre here in Chicago is a different world sometimes.

My thinking is that an effort needs to be made to consider yourself Irish. That's my test anyways.
I agree with you on this point, and that effort has to be more than just drinking Guinness and wearing green on St. Patrick's Day. Compare them with Kilbane who wore his Irish shirt to the England tryouts or Connolly whose father took him to Croke Park for the All-Ireland hurling final in 1987 to support Galway. Never been to the Heritage Center here though so I can't attest to that, I do know its on the northwest side though and see signs for it on the Kennedy.

I think people in Ireland perhaps have an idea of Irish Americans as maybe their first cousins or siblings who do still have roots in Ireland when in reality most Irish Americans are probably 5th or 6th generation who through their fathers have retained an Irish name. Not sure if thats the case in England.

Knowing Roy he probably thought he deserved the captaincy over Townsend in '94 and is still mad about that.

[DannyInvincible]

I don't think that's what hoops1 was saying though. He's saying it about those who only remember when they won't get picked for the Soctland and England.

How does one know though really how a particular player might feel at any point in their life unless the player concerned actually comes out and says something on the matter? As has been mentioned earlier, it's very possible that a sense of Irishness can develop as a second or third-generation individual matures and seeks to learn more about their heritage. Maybe their parents didn't instil a sense of pride in heritage from a young age, but should they necessarily be chastised for this if willing to investigate? And what about Barry Maguire, for example?

[DannyInvincible]

In fairness though they at least wallow in the ignorance by living there. No it's more that many Irish-American's worship a country that doesn't, and perhaps never did, exist. It can be hard to relate to and it would be utterly patronizing if it wasn't so sincere. The Irish American Heritage Centre here in Chicago is a different world sometimes.

Hehe, I do like this painting on the website (http://irish-american.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=110&Itemid=110):

http://irish-american.org/images/stories/ibam2009/IMG_0105.jpg

[Crosby87]

In fairness though they at least wallow in the ignorance by living there. No it's more that many Irish-American's worship a country that doesn't, and perhaps never did, exist. It can be hard to relate to and it would be utterly patronizing if it wasn't so sincere. The Irish American Heritage Centre here in Chicago is a different world sometimes.


Dont forget that Chicago and its culture are only great to Chicagoans. The midwest in general, might not have great heritage centers pertaining to any country. I loathe going there on business. You might find better Irish American Stock elsewhere that are more intuned with the History you value. An Irish American friend I know just wrote a Phd dissertation on 'Ireland: 1900-1920.' I assure you he understands his Irish roots.
But you should submit a test for all of us plastic paddy's just lucky enough to spend summers there like I was, then decide If we can root for the national team or not.
And another question I might ask is, why do you not live in Ireland? Surely not for the weather.

[ArdeeBhoy]

To be fair, even to the most detached Irish-Americans, their Irishness is based on individual thought. However 'misguided'.

It may be not definitive to most, but is part of the beauty of what makes up the different strands of Irish culture through its wider population, which has been dispersed for centuries.

[theworm2345]

Dont forget that Chicago and its culture are only great to Chicagoans. The midwest in general, might not have great heritage centers pertaining to any country. I loathe going there on business. You might find better Irish American Stock elsewhere that are more intuned with the History you value. An Irish American friend I know just wrote a Phd dissertation on 'Ireland: 1900-1920.' I assure you he understands his Irish roots.
But you should submit a test for all of us plastic paddy's just lucky enough to spend summers there like I was, then decide If we can root for the national team or not.
And another question I might ask is, why do you not live in Ireland? Surely not for the weather.
Yes and everyone loves our loud, obnoxious New Yorkers and their festering cesspool of a city. :rolleyes: Having worked at a tourist spot I can say that the vast majority of the people leaving tell me how much they enjoy the city and its unique attributes. If you loathe coming here on business you and your "more intuned" Irish Americans can kindly stay the **** away.

[Stuttgart88]

I don't think international football will be 'killed' by Granny-rulers in the long run - the principal FIFA rules on the issue have been in effect for a very long time, going back to Shay Brennan in the 1960s. As Stutts has pointed out, there are far fewer Granny-rulers in the Irish squad now than there were 15 years ago. Pre-Bosman, international football was top dog, but now with so much money in the club game, and the elite clubs becoming horrendously wealthy multinational entities, international football has been overtaken as a spectacle, and in terms of prestige, sponsorship and popularity. That would be my worry about the international game, long-run.

Things like Simon Cox being picked as our seventh-choice striker don't really make me fear for the future of international football. The situation with Qatar has been dealt with and forbidden by FIFA, and really isn't relevant.I agree totally.

In fact, the Irish team was never more popular among the Irish than when we had way more granny-rulers than we do now.

I think that change is finally beckoning within FIFA and European football's new Financial Fair Play era could well lead a reversal of the international game's prestige versus the club game.

Controversially, I think I actually want Blatter to win another term. For all his faults, I think he stands up for the international game and stands up to club football very well. I don't think Bin Hamman will be as strong. I'm confident that FIFA is about to enjoy its "Salt Late City" moment and that governance and ethical standards will improve because of the scrutiny currently beginning to be applied, not least by MPs like Damien Collins over here.

[SkStu]

Yes and everyone loves our loud, obnoxious New Yorkers and their festering cesspool of a city. :rolleyes: Having worked at a tourist spot I can say that the vast majority of the people leaving tell me how much they enjoy the city and its unique attributes. If you loathe coming here on business you and your "more intuned" Irish Americans can kindly stay the **** away.

New York doesnt hold a candle to Chicago. One of my favourite cities in the world.

But lets keep this on topic - I wonder what Roy Keanes favourite cities are?

[gastric]

Cork you bloody idiot!

[Crosby87]

Never liked Chicago but I can understand people who do. Eskimos? Silly argument anyway, they call themselves "The Second City." Who calls themselves that? Its the Brussels of the US.
Second to whom? Most think Vegas and LA are better so wouldn't that make it "The Fourth City?" (At least)? I know a lot of people, including Grant Achatz, rate San Fran better on food alone.

My point is I don't think many "Irish-Americans" portend to be as Irish as people born and raised in Ireland. I enjoy watching the Irish team and will continue to do so and if Admin wanted to ban me due to the Xenophobia that is perpetrated by some of the slower readers on here, he would have done so many posts ago. I have a good auld Irish last name. Im proud of it.
I dont care to come on here to have silly arguments and I apologize for contributing to it. The Irish team is better off with players like Mc G and Jimmy Mac and with fans around the world proud of their Irish Heritage. And yes, I know how to pronounce "Saoirse". (Fairplay almost no one seems to know, Irish American or not.)
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