Potentially eligible players thread

[gastric]

TOWK, I really don't understand your opinions, So far on here, you have claimed Noble and West Ham are crap, that Stephen Quinn is as good as Noble, while you are not happy with Duffy's supposed move to Blackburn. You seem to put many Irish [players on pedestals, and anyone who doesn't meet your limited and myopic view of nationality is to be dismissed. The facts are Noble is an experienced, quality player who was the club's best player last season. Quinn is a good player, but really has not shown enough consistency over the years to be deemed comparable to Noble. Hopefully, he can continue to improve and in time take Noble's place in an Irish squad. On Duffy why are you underwhelmed? He has had limited experience, is potentially a great player, but is not as good as Stone at the moment who has a lot more experience than Duffy. These are realities and running down Noble while talking up both Quinn and Duffy lacks objectivity and is incorrect. While I do feel a bit uneasy about the likes of Noble declaring, if it means we qualify for a Euro or WC, I really can overcome these feelings quite easily! I will repeat what I said earlier in the thread, how many of you watched Algeria and scoffed at all their French born players? As an Irish fan I love watching underdogs play well and hopefully we can soon emulate their success.

[Charlie Darwin]

To be fair, I think a fully fit Quinn is better than Noble.

[Crosby87]

Penn State is the underdog in Dubs Gastric. You can root for them.

[gastric]

http://anditscomethroughhere.blogspot.ie/2014/08/mark-noble-tests-limit-of-our-granny.html

Here are my two cents, in blog form. As always, any feedback, comments or critique would be welcomed.

A very well -written and objective article which I think would reflect the views of the majority of posters on here. However, I think McGoldrick would be an asset now. I really believe he can compliment Long well in attack as he is quick, hardworking and determined, the type of player I love to watch!

[DannyInvincible]

http://anditscomethroughhere.blogspot.ie/2014/08/mark-noble-tests-limit-of-our-granny.html

Here are my two cents, in blog form. As always, any feedback, comments or critique would be welcomed.

Good stuff, although I'll nit-pick if you insist. :p


Such an inclusive strategy should ensure that every player is aware that they are in the manager's thoughts. There will be no crude alienation of talent - a welcome contrast from the previous regime.

Not a major issue really, but didn't Trap name extended provisional squads too before whittling them down?


Even in the modern day, it is naive to think that the likes of McCarthy, McGeady, Pilkington and Westwood would have declared for Ireland had they been approached first by their native associations.

I sense there to be an insinuation there with which I don't quite agree. McCarthy and McGeady have always identified very strongly with a sense of Irishness. Growing up, their families were steeped in Irish culture. Whilst McCarthy did say he might have represented Scotland had they been quicker to him, that's not to say we were a back-up plan because no offer was forthcoming. We were at least an equal option, if not a preferred one, rather than a possible secondary one, as might be the case with England-born players with Irish grandparent(s). Likewise, there's no reason to assume McGeady would have preferred to have played for Scotland either. I recall seeing home video footage of him kicking a ball around as a wee bairn in an Ireland jersey and if he'd have preferred to have played for Scotland he could always have chosen to switch. They'd have been delighted to have him. Scotland would also have been delighted to have McCarthy had he been willing to switch.


However, I think we all want to see this new Irish team, under O'Neill, not just getting results, but playing with a character that Irish fans and public can get behind and identify with - a team of players who truly value playing football for their country. We want to see a team that plays with the kind of intensity, pace and aggression that we saw from O'Neill's Celtic team in the big European nights.

You can say that again!


However, I think we all want to see this new Irish team, under O'Neill, not just getting results, but playing with a character that Irish fans and public can get behind and identify with - a team of players who truly value playing football for their country. We want to see a team that plays with the kind of intensity, pace and aggression that we saw from O'Neill's Celtic team in the big European nights.

Thanks.

[ArdeeBhoy]

To be fair, I think a fully fit Quinn is better than Noble.
Niall or Micky?
;)

[Stuttgart88]

To be fair, I think a fully fit Quinn is better than Noble.
Agreed, or at least not worth discarding for the sake of an opportunistic latecomer. Quinn has been a bright spot for Irish fans so far this season. One of quite a few I think. I've been pretty happy with how our key players have begun the season.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

TOWK, I really don't understand your opinions, So far on here, you have claimed Noble and West Ham are crap, that Stephen Quinn is as good as Noble, while you are not happy with Duffy's supposed move to Blackburn. You seem to put many Irish [players on pedestals, and anyone who doesn't meet your limited and myopic view of nationality is to be dismissed. The facts are Noble is an experienced, quality player who was the club's best player last season. Quinn is a good player, but really has not shown enough consistency over the years to be deemed comparable to Noble. Hopefully, he can continue to improve and in time take Noble's place in an Irish squad. On Duffy why are you underwhelmed? He has had limited experience, is potentially a great player, but is not as good as Stone at the moment who has a lot more experience than Duffy. These are realities and running down Noble while talking up both Quinn and Duffy lacks objectivity and is incorrect. While I do feel a bit uneasy about the likes of Noble declaring, if it means we qualify for a Euro or WC, I really can overcome these feelings quite easily! I will repeat what I said earlier in the thread, how many of you watched Algeria and scoffed at all their French born players? As an Irish fan I love watching underdogs play well and hopefully we can soon emulate their success.

I didn't say West Ham were "crap". You are deliberately twisting my words. I said they are one of the worst footballing sides in the Premier League.
Stephen Quinn is a better player than Mark Noble. Perhaps you should have more faith in our own players rather than expecting mediocre English players to change our fortunes?
I didn't say anything about Shane Duffy's move to Blackburn?! I think you have me confused with someone else.
Mark Noble doesn't feel Irish and doesn't want to play for Ireland and if he does declare it is for all the wrong reasons. No need to overanalyse it.

You honestly think Mark Noble will make a difference to us qualifying that McCarthy/Gibson/Hendrick/Quinn/Hoolahan/Reid won't? I heard the same things about Paul Green.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Since when do you have to be a Unionist Skrewdriver fan with steel capped boots to call someone a "fenian c*nt" in a moment of passion? I have been called similar things in the heat of the moment and the people calling me that were politically ambivalent.

Edit: Not even saying I think Noble said what he's alleged to have said. Just saying I wouldn't be that surprised.

I'm sure if someone said he seen Frank Lampard and Eidur Gudjohnsen mocking American tourists after 9/11, people would belittle him too.

[TrapAPony]

Scored today. Playing well by all accounts.

[DannyInvincible]

Scored today. Playing well by all accounts.

Scored from outside the box, although it did take a significant deflection: https://vine.co/v/OBhUvFA9nFL

[back of the net]

the comment at 00:53 is interesting

http://www.rte.ie/sport/player/734/640263/

[TrapAPony]

What does it say at 0.53? I cant connect to it

[back of the net]

What does it say at 0.53? I cant connect to it

its an interview with some journo -- journo says he interviewed noble just last year and noble said he hoped to be called up for england as it would make his a father a happy man before he died



Tbh i realise we aint in a position to be turning down good players who want to declare for us but comments like the above cant help but leave a bad taste in my mouth

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Noble a better option than Whelan because he's an established Premier League player. Have you ever heard such nonsense....

Whelan has over 175 PL appearances, over 50 International caps, plays for a better PL team and doesn't have a relegation on his CV; and West Ham are no better a footballing side than West Ham.

By all means add depth to the squad and have a player be unhappy if he isn't playing football but this all comes across as throw enough sh*t at something and it will stick.

The players we are being linked with (sigh) wouldn't even get into the team on merit as it stands. We are talking about England cast offs here not Germany, Spain or Italy cast offs.

[DannyInvincible]

the comment at 00:53 is interesting

http://www.rte.ie/sport/player/734/640263/

Who were the two interviewing? They were awful. One of them thought Noble had already declared for us, whilst neither were able to correct the West Ham fan in relation to Cascarino's eligibility. Cascarino used a bit of artistic licence in his autobiography, but his eligibility was all perfectly above board. The interviewee said he didn't see any problem with us being Noble's "second choice"; they should have asked him what he would have made of it if it was a case of a 27-year-old former German under-age international contemplating switching to England as back-up after trying to get into the senior Germany squad his whole career.

[back of the net]

Who were the two interviewing? They were awful. One of them thought Noble had already declared for us, whilst neither were able to correct the West Ham fan in relation to Cascarino's eligibility. Cascarino used a bit of artistic licence in his autobiography, but his eligibility was all perfectly above board. The interviewee said he didn't see any problem with us being Noble's "second choice"; they should have asked him what he would have made of it if it was a case of a 27-year-old former German under-age international contemplating switching to England as back-up after trying to get into the senior Germany squad his whole career.

no idea who they were dan - yeah it was an ill informed interview alright

But i do find it worrying if hes comments on noble playing for england last year are true


If they are - it just makes a complete mockery of representing your country

[Stuttgart88]

I sometimes think dud interviews are chosen deliberately to undermine Irish football, but more realistically I think it betrays an editorial ignorance of what is actually of real interest wrt Irish football. Shephen Ireland mania being the most notable example.

[Closed Account 2]

Since when do you have to be a Unionist Skrewdriver fan with steel capped boots to call someone a "fenian c*nt" in a moment of passion? I have been called similar things in the heat of the moment and the people calling me that were politically ambivalent.

Edit: Not even saying I think Noble said what he's alleged to have said. Just saying I wouldn't be that surprised.

I'm sure if someone said he seen Frank Lampard and Eidur Gudjohnsen mocking American tourists after 9/11, people would belittle him too.

Ive lived in London for almost 30 years and ive never heard anyone say fenian here aside from some guy giving a talk about Irish history pre WWI. I just cant see it happening, a guy from Canning Town saying a phrase like that. I think the guy on reddit is a bit of a chancer, it sounds like a figment of his imagination. It would be more believable if he had at least claimed to have heard a phrase that hadnt left common parlance a century ago

[geysir]

its an interview with some journo -- journo says he interviewed noble just last year and noble said he hoped to be called up for england as it would make his a father a happy man before he died



Tbh i realise we aint in a position to be turning down good players who want to declare for us but comments like the above cant help but leave a bad taste in my mouth
We haven't yet heard any different from Noble. He could have the same opinion as O'Hara, 'honoured and all that to be asked, but i'm English'.

[back of the net]

We haven't yet heard any different from Noble. He could have the same opinion as O'Hara, 'honoured and all that to be asked, but i'm English'.

Fair point geysir

[tetsujin1979]

Since when do you have to be a Unionist Skrewdriver fan with steel capped boots to call someone a "fenian c*nt" in a moment of passion? I have been called similar things in the heat of the moment and the people calling me that were politically ambivalent.

Edit: Not even saying I think Noble said what he's alleged to have said. Just saying I wouldn't be that surprised.

I'm sure if someone said he seen Frank Lampard and Eidur Gudjohnsen mocking American tourists after 9/11, people would belittle him too. the reports about Lampard and Gudjohnsen came out immediately after it happened, there's been no mention of these alleged remarks from Noble until now, which doesn't add to their credibility

[back of the net]

Mark noble is on goals on sunday on sky shortly

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Absolute joke - Noble said on Goals on Sunday - that his agent has spoken to the Ireland camp, he will make a decision on it in the next few weeks.....

but.....he also said he is only 27 so he still harbours hope that he will get an england call up


Real cringe stuff - dont want him anywhere near our setup after seeing that

[Deckydee]

http://www.joe.ie/football/football-news/mark-noble-ill-make-a-decision-on-playing-for-ireland-over-the-next-couple-of-weeks/

[bishbash]

Maybe I'm on my own here but I'd rather have Irish players playing & lose than someone like Noble & win. When I say Irish I don't just mean being born here. Someone like Kevin Kilbane born in Preston but he was Irish as it gets. Let's have a bit of respect for ourselves, it's an honour & a privilege to play for this Country not some consolation prize.

[ArdeeBhoy]

At this stage, it really doesn't make much difference. He could declare and then be permanently injured/in a huff like Gibson...
Too many modern footballers are just up themselves and their words count for very little.

[back of the net]

Maybe I'm on my own here but I'd rather have Irish players playing & lose than someone like Noble & win. When I say Irish I don't just mean being born here. Someone like Kevin Kilbane born in Preston but he was Irish as it gets. Let's have a bit of respect for ourselves, it's an honour & a privilege to play for this Country not some consolation prize.

Completely agree.

[Stuttgart88]

I agree with bishbash with the qualifying remark that they dont need to be as Irish as Kilbane. It's a tough one to pin down which is why I rely on my instinct.

I'm actually peeved with O'Neill for both chasing these guys and for publicly declaring that we need to be chasing thse guys because he doesn't rate what he has. Bull.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Let's have a bit of respect for ourselves, it's an honour & a privilege to play for this Country not some consolation prize.
Agree with the rest of your post, but unfortunately not how most footballers regard the international game now, just as an 'optional extra' .

[Olé Olé]

He's doing a lot of 'dilly-dallying' for someone who has 50% Irish blood. Pilkington claimed on 25% (his paternal grandmother) and was showing good form at a younger age than Noble is now.

It does appear like Noble's dream is to get an England call-up and he is really doing his utmost to fulfill Joey Barton's stereotype (i.e. not good enough for England, claim for Ireland).

He donned the England jersey on numerous occasions as a younger lad and even wore the captain's armband. An identity crisis appears to be facing him.

That talk of getting agents involved does make it sound like a business decision though.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

I obviously don't want him anywhere near the set up for myriad reasons that are obvious to decipher, so I won't add much to what I have already said.

Sam Allardyce has encouraged him to declare for Ireland because he will never get to play for England.

Personally, I think we are wasting our time with him.

[liamoo11]

[QUOTE=ArdeeBhoy;1775754]At this stage, it really doesn't make much difference. He could declare and then be permanently injured/in a huff like Gibson...
Too many modern footballers are just up themselves and their words count for very little.[/QUOTE

how can gibson be name checked in a thread about utter merceneries like this noble ape. Gibson is born breed Irish and has played for us since under 19s. That kind of post is an embarrassment to any Irish supporter.

[liamoo11]

Should do donations for banner for wednesday night saying **** off noble you british ****

[back of the net]

Should do donations for banner for wednesday night saying **** off noble you british ****


please tell me ur joking.....

[ArdeeBhoy]

At this stage, it really doesn't make much difference. He could declare and then be permanently injured/in a huff like Gibson...
Too many modern footballers are just up themselves and their words count for very little.

how can gibson be name checked in a thread about utter merceneries like this noble ape. Gibson is born breed Irish and has played for us since under 19s. That kind of post is an embarrassment to any Irish supporter.
Besides the dubious spelling, not sure your analogy works.
Gibson's hardly proved himself of much use to the international team since switching.

[Stuttgart88]

I don't think any central midfielder was allowed to prove his worth under Trap! Whelan was allowed to clock up caps despite not proving any worth. I think Gibson should have put up and shut up wrt Trap but part of me sympathises. I think a fit and sharp Gibson is a good player, a proper midfielder, someone who doesn't fear the ball and can use it well. Unfortunately his injury means he still has some way to go to reach his potential.

[Stuttgart88]

Should do donations for banner for wednesday night saying **** off noble you british ****
The first three words of that banner would be sufficient.

[liamoo11]

Besides the dubious spelling, not sure your analogy works.
Gibson's hardly proved himself of much use to the international team since switching.

i couldnt care less how good any northern born lad or english/dutch/belgian/spanish/german/ born lad is as long as he wants to play for his country(ireland). if he turns out to be an excellent footballer who makes a good career like gibson great but if he struggles to make a pro career at a high level like ger crossley im still proud he did his best for his country

[geysir]

If that's Noble's attitude then the fck off should be directed to our management team, who (if it transpires) would be 99% responsible for his presence in the squad.

[TrapAPony]

Here is the link to the video of Mark Noble talking today on Goals on Sunday. It's on page 3.
http://www.sportinglife.com/video/23481/9449980/nobles-england-ambition

[Closed Account 2]

Ah screw that, his interview pretty much says we're his second choice, hes barely being diplomatic about it. I have a feeling its a last "come and get me plea" for him to get into the England squad, would rather not have him in the squad... Although part of me would find it funny if he was put in the squad and given 2 mins against Georgia to cap-tie him and then never called up again.

[OwlsFan]

He's doing a lot of 'dilly-dallying' for someone who has 50% Irish blood. Pilkington claimed on 25% (his paternal grandmother) and was showing good form at a younger age than Noble is now.


Sounds like Nazis aryan stuff - blood percentages were used to calculate whether someone was Jewish.

Personally, it has never bothered me someone's motives for declaring for us. All that matters to me is, does he strength the side? I don't know enough about him to make a judgement in this regard.

[IsMiseSean]

I have a feeling its a last "come and get me plea" for him to get into the England squad

My thoughts exactly. He's probably hoping for a call from Woy to give him some sort of reassurance.
It will be interesting to see if a CM pulls out of the England squad in the next few days who the replacement will be....

[Stuttgart88]

Sounds like Nazisaryan stuff does he play for Armenia?

[back of the net]

He just comes across in the interview as he views himself 100% english in the interview.

I not sure whether i find it funny or insulting the way he views potentially declaring for Ireland

Im all for appreciating improving the squad and its about winning games.........but including Noble in our squad when he has that attitude is just wrong in every way

If he would find it strange wearing the green as he says in the interview , then I cant see how his heart would be into wearing it.

His attitude really bothers me - O'Neill and Keane need to draw a line on this if and when they see that interview

Whatever bout winning games , they need to realise that the wearing the green jersey should be a players priority

[DannyInvincible]

At this stage, it really doesn't make much difference. He could declare and then be permanently injured/in a huff like Gibson...
Too many modern footballers are just up themselves and their words count for very little.

I think it's true of any walk of life; some people's word you can trust and others' word you can't. Footballers are people with human faults too, like anyone else, albeit with a bit more disposable cash in some instances. Anyway, I don't think it's fair on Gibson to compare him with the likes of Noble. For clarity, Gibson never formally switched from one association to another as he had never played for the IFA in a FIFA-recognised competitive fixture. He's always officially been an FAI player, as far as FIFA are concerned. To quantify what he's offered, he has, since 2004, played for Ireland at under-17 level and later captained us at both under-19 and under-21 levels. He has won 21 senior caps since 2007.

There were rumours he had a falling out with Trap (http://foot.ie/threads/37264-Darron-Gibson?p=1623367&viewfull=1#post1623367) after the Spain game at the Euros when Trap allegedly poked fun at some excess weight he was supposed to have been carrying in front of the rest of the squad (http://foot.ie/threads/37264-Darron-Gibson?p=1690483&viewfull=1#post1690483). It seems, there was also another incident after the Italy game which might have left Gibson feeling upset or insulted (http://foot.ie/threads/37264-Darron-Gibson?p=1709314&viewfull=1#post1709314), although I don't think we ever found out what its nature was.

He felt embarrassed and angry after not seeing game-time at the Euros (https://sg.sports.yahoo.com/news/trapattoni-had-problem-says-gibson-114600456--spt.html); fearing Trap had a problem with him, he sought clarification from his manager, only to be dismissively told he was "young" before Trap walked off. Whatever about the rights and wrongs of it or who was primarily to blame for the falling out, it appears the working relationship between manager and player broke down completely. I thought Gibson's self-imposed exile was petulant and self-detrimental - the wrong option to take to deal with his problem - but I did sympathise with his sense of grievance.

I don't think he appreciated Trap advising him to leave United at the time either (http://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/sep/09/darron-gibson-ireland-euro-2012), although he did later acknowledge that joining Everton was beneficial for him and that Trap might have been right on that front after all. That showed a level of maturity at least.

Otherwise, he's been fully committed to playing for Ireland and even admitted he had "something to prove" (http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/oct/09/darron-gibson-republic-of-ireland) when he was re-selected by Noel King after Trap left the managerial post. There's nothing he can do about being injured. I'm sure it's been very frustrating for him to have missed out for so long.


Since when do you have to be a Unionist Skrewdriver fan with steel capped boots to call someone a "fenian c*nt" in a moment of passion? I have been called similar things in the heat of the moment and the people calling me that were politically ambivalent.

Edit: Not even saying I think Noble said what he's alleged to have said. Just saying I wouldn't be that surprised.

Out of interest, under what circumstances were you called similar? I've not lived over here for as long as edmundo has, but in the four years I've been here, I don't think I've ever heard (in person, at least) an English person use the term "fenian" as an insult. Anti-Irish sentiment isn't all that fashionable in England any more. I did once have a rendition of the notorious 'Billy Boys' sung at me by a disgruntled and clearly mentally-unstable homeless drunk man slouched next to a cash machine begging when I had no change to give him and he didn't take too well to my pronunciation of Derry after he asked me where I was from, but he was from east Belfast originally and was being generally nasty and abusive/racist towards anyone and everyone in the ATM queue who had no spare change for him. Nobody had provoked him, but he was clearly very bitter about the hand that life had dealt him. He erupted into frothy sectarian verse as I departed and assured me that he hadn't wanted any of my "taig money" anyway whilst cartoonishly waving his fist at me.

I've had people do that silly "po-tay-to" pronunciation thing with me from time to time, but, although a bit irritating, it's generally done in the spirit of harmless jest, whilst I recall a passing boorish lad with a bit of drink in him referring to the Irish supporters of Dungiven boxer Paul McCloskey leaving the MEN Arena after his loss to Amir Khan a few years ago as "paddies, but other than those very isolated incidents, I can't say I've experienced any explicit anti-Irish prejudice over here. I can only really imagine a die-hard loyalist, a bitter Rangers fan or a BNP/EDL-type ever using "fenian" in a derogatory fashion in this day and age, unless it is that I've not been hanging around with the wrong sort of people enough...

I also find it hard to believe that Noble would collectively refer to a group of Irish supporters (including men, women and children) as "fenian b*stards", especially when two of his grandparents were "full Irish" themselves.

[zero]

I think it's true of any walk of life; some people's word you can trust and others' word you can't. Footballers are people with human faults too, like anyone else, albeit with a bit more disposable cash in some instances. Anyway, I don't think it's fair on Gibson to compare him with the likes of Noble. For clarity, Gibson never formally switched from one association to another as he had never played for the IFA in a FIFA-recognised competitive fixture. He's always officially been an FAI player, as far as FIFA are concerned. To quantify what he's offered, he has, since 2004, played for Ireland at under-17 level and later captained us at both under-19 and under-21 levels. He has won 21 senior caps since 2007.

There were rumours he had a falling out with Trap (http://foot.ie/threads/37264-Darron-Gibson?p=1623367&viewfull=1#post1623367) after the Spain game at the Euros when Trap allegedly poked fun at some excess weight he was supposed to have been carrying in front of the rest of the squad (http://foot.ie/threads/37264-Darron-Gibson?p=1690483&viewfull=1#post1690483). It seems, there was also another incident after the Italy game which might have left Gibson feeling upset or insulted (http://foot.ie/threads/37264-Darron-Gibson?p=1709314&viewfull=1#post1709314), although I don't think we ever found out what its nature was.

He felt embarrassed and angry after not seeing game-time at the Euros (https://sg.sports.yahoo.com/news/trapattoni-had-problem-says-gibson-114600456--spt.html); fearing Trap had a problem with him, he sought clarification from his manager, only to be dismissively told he was "young" before Trap walked off. Whatever about the rights and wrongs of it or who was primarily to blame for the falling out, it appears the working relationship between manager and player broke down completely. I thought Gibson's self-imposed exile was petulant and self-detrimental - the wrong option to take to deal with his problem - but I did sympathise with his sense of grievance.

I don't think he appreciated Trap advising him to leave United at the time either (http://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/sep/09/darron-gibson-ireland-euro-2012), although he did later acknowledge that joining Everton was beneficial for him and that Trap might have been right on that front after all. That showed a level of maturity at least.

Otherwise, he's been fully committed to playing for Ireland and even admitted he had "something to prove" (http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/oct/09/darron-gibson-republic-of-ireland) when he was re-selected by Noel King after Trap left the managerial post. There's nothing he can do about being injured. I'm sure it's been very frustrating for him to have missed out for so long.



Out of interest, under what circumstances were you called similar? I've not lived over here for as long as edmundo has, but in the four years I've been here, I don't think I've ever heard (in person, at least) an English person use the term "fenian" as an insult. Anti-Irish sentiment isn't all that fashionable in England any more. I did once have a rendition of the notorious 'Billy Boys' sung at me by a disgruntled and clearly mentally-unstable homeless drunk man slouched next to a cash machine begging when I had no change to give him and he didn't take too well to my pronunciation of Derry after he asked me where I was from, but he was from east Belfast originally and was being generally nasty and abusive/racist towards anyone and everyone in the ATM queue who had no spare change for him. Nobody had provoked him, but he was clearly very bitter about the hand that life had dealt him. He erupted into frothy sectarian verse as I departed and assured me that he hadn't wanted any of my "taig money" anyway whilst cartoonishly waving his fist at me.

I've had people do that silly "po-tay-to" pronunciation thing with me from time to time, but, although a bit irritating, it's generally done in the spirit of harmless jest, whilst I recall a passing boorish lad with a bit of drink in him referring to the Irish supporters of Dungiven boxer Paul McCloskey leaving the MEN Arena after his loss to Amir Khan a few years ago as "paddies, but other than those very isolated incidents, I can't say I've experienced any explicit anti-Irish prejudice over here. I can only really imagine a die-hard loyalist, a bitter Rangers fan or a BNP/EDL-type ever using "fenian" in a derogatory fashion in this day and age, unless it is that I've not been hanging around with the wrong sort of people enough...

I also find it hard to believe that Noble would collectively refer to a group of Irish supporters (including men, women and children) as "fenian b*stards", especially when two of his grandparents were "full Irish" themselves.

i've been in the uk ten years, 3 of them in scotland, and i've never heard anyone use the word fenian except at a celtic match.

i doubt londoners known what a fenian is/means. i barely know what it means. that said i wouldn't be in the least surprised if noble had said 'fackin b***rds' and it was misheard. he was only 20 odd at the time after all.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Seen that word on a lot of forums/social media but wouldn't bother me unduly, even if used in a negative sense...
Usually used in an anti-Irish perspective, which usually means our very existence still 'gets' to certain people!

As for Noble, if it helps, the Hammers I met reckon he should play for us, especially if overlooked by 'Inger-land'!
Their attitude is he's good enough to play international football, though they don't seem to care for who especially...more than he should be on a 'bigger' stage...

And acknowledge DI's impassioned defence of Gibson, personally feel he's got far more to prove for Ireland than Noble IMO.

[TrapAPony]

O'Neill and Keane need to draw a line on this if and when they see that interview

Doubt it, according to the Irish Mirror Steve Walford was sent to watch Noble v Southampton.
http://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/soccer/soccer-news/mark-noble-admits-could-still-4138608


Don't see Noble playing for England either. I'm sure England squad absentees Barkley, Lallana, Cleverley, Huddlestone, Livermore, Rodwell, Shelvey, Ward Prowse etc. are ahead of him in the queue