Ireland invite to the Africa Cup of Nations!!

[tricky_colour]

Togo have been refused admission when they requested it, so I expect they are a team short, what do you think the chancess are of Ireland being awarded an invite, along the lines of Seph Blatters indication that Ireland should have an award of some sort?

[ped_ped]

I really hope you're joking.

[Acornvilla]

and its a little late aswell...... its been talked about in a few other places..

[shakermaker1982]

how much are flights to Angola?! :)

[tiktok]

At the risk of being told I haven't a sense of humour, I find these threads and the inevitable facebook groups in poor taste. We had *****ly pears all over the forums because some french bloke handled a ball. People have actually died in the Angolan situation and others are going to be scarred for life over it.

Maybe I'm just a curmudgeonly old fart but leave this one go, yeah?

[Crosby87]

I like it. Maybe some of the less desirable players could get kidnapped.
Im sure our established players would love to make the trip too, i mean its obviously so safe down there, and its not like it would interfere with anything else they have going on.
So yes, Im in.

[tricky_colour]

Well the competition is actually going ahead, and they will be a team short, and it's in what 6 months time?
Or is it? It's southern hemisphere so maybe not.

[tricky_colour]

South Africa is a safe as the UK or Ireland regarding terrorism, probably safer.
Anyway I have just found the facebook thread so I will have a look at that.
It's got over 3,000 memebers.

[tiktok]

Well the competition is actually going ahead, and they will be a team short, and it's in what 6 months time?
Or is it? It's southern hemisphere so maybe not.

The African cup of Nations started yesterday with a 4-4 draw betweeen Angola and Mali.

[endabob1]

It's not the first time the ACN has had a late withdrawal. Nigeria pulled out in 1996 when it was in SA and it went ahead with 15 teams.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1996_African_Cup_of_Nations#Participating_teams

[tricky_colour]

That's a pity because they wear the same colour shirts.
Group C kicks off on Saturday.

http://www.myfootballkits.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/cache/2412_thumbzoom.jpg

[RedHot]

That's a pity because they wear the same colour shirts.
Group C kicks off on Saturday.

http://www.myfootballkits.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/cache/2412_thumbzoom.jpg

It doesn't really matter when group C starts considering Togo are in group B and are supposed to play tonight

[tricky_colour]

It doesn't really matter when group C starts considering Togo are in group B and are supposed to play tonight


Oops!! I looked it up on google and noticed group C only had 3 teams in it,
however it appear that was 1996.
Also that's the away shirt anyway apparently.

[Serb]

This is a really great idea. I can imagine all the Premier League, Championship and Scottish clubs who have Irish internationals in their first teams would be more than delighted to let them leave, missing multiple league games in the process.

[newrynyuk]

What a mavellous idea! Who knew there'd be an upside to three people being killed in a terrorist attack?

[tricky_colour]

If they spoil the competition they achieve their aim.

[MariborKev]

On an unrelated note.

The South African journalist squarely put Ken Early in his place when Early started to bluster on about security concerns at the World Cup in the context on a discussion on the Angola incident.

[Crosby87]

The African cup of Nations started yesterday with a 4-4 draw betweeen Angola and Mali.

Come on thats just stupid details. :D

[Fixer82]

silly thread.

on a side note I don't think they should've pulled out. I understand it of course but it played into the hands of the attackers. Would've been a big 'f..k you' if they'd gone ahead with tournament

[Mad Moose]

On an unrelated note.

The South African journalist squarely put Ken Early in his place when Early started to bluster on about security concerns at the World Cup in the context on a discussion on the Angola incident.

Poor broadcasting from Early if indeed he asked such a ridiculous question. Original stuff. That question had been asked of the host commitee further to events unfolding. Whats the chances Early picked up the question elsewhere and decided to run with it.

As for the story....sorry I can't bring myself to repeat it but where else has this been spoken of. Please please say this has not made the media, nationally or internationally. The crying further to our World Cup exit was embarrasing enough. This story makes me want to hide.

[tricky_colour]

silly thread.

on a side note I don't think they should've pulled out. I understand it of course but it played into the hands of the attackers. Would've been a big 'f..k you' if they'd gone ahead with tournament


Yes by spoil the competition they achieve their aim, if it goes on anyway there is less incentive for such atatcks.

[endabob1]

Poor broadcasting from Early if indeed he asked such a ridiculous question. Original stuff. That question had been asked of the host commitee further to events unfolding. Whats the chances Early picked up the question elsewhere and decided to run with it.

Ridiculous question, and even more ridiculous was the comment from Phil Brown about the World Cup being removed from Africa. As Danny Jordaan said, no one asked Germany about the war in Kosovo before the last world cup.
Distance from the Kosovan Capital of Pristina to Berlin 773 miles
Distance from Pretoria to Luanda 1500 miles
But somehow because it’s Africa the problems in one country are immediately assumed to be endemic in the whole continent. A separatist movement in an oil rich part of northern Angola has got f—k all to do with the World Cup being held 1,500 miles & 2 countries away.
It would be like not having the European Championships in Ukraine because of the real IRA.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/8450088.stm