Eligibility Rules, Okay

[DannyInvincible]

Was anyone else fupped off by MON stating that he doesn't intend to "poach" players?

Where did he use that word? My understanding is that he's fully open to facilitating willing and eligible northern-born Irish nationals such as Ryan McLaughlin.

[Greenbod]

Was anyone else fupped off by MON stating that he doesn't intend to "poach" players?

No. My understanding is he will select from the pool of players eligible (and willing) to play for the Republic of Ireland. This will of course include players born in the North of Ireland. "Poaching" doesn't come in to it.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Exactly! Haven't we have had this umpteen times before.

Everyone born on the island of Ireland is eligible for Ireland. Unless they play a full competitive game for another currently recognised international side.

There is no poaching. Or debate!

[Gather round]

If Mart does decide to pick any player who fancies emigrating after turning out for our youth sides, he might as well phone personally and organise a press conference around it. After all, he'll get stick whether it was the player, his auntie Majella, Noel King or Bono who makes first contact.

Is the kid at Liverpool going to be a star? He hasn't played in the first team yet.

PS I thought a large majority in the South voted a few years ago not to give automatic citizenship to everyone born in the country? Does this only apply if they aren't good at football?

[ArdeeBhoy]

Clearly you haven't read the GFA...
;)

[DannyInvincible]

PS I thought a large majority in the South voted a few years ago not to give automatic citizenship to everyone born in the country?

We know, we know. Well, most of us. ;)

[BonnieShels]

Where did he use that word? My understanding is that he's fully open to facilitating willing and eligible northern-born Irish nationals such as Ryan McLaughlin.

I'm almost certain I heard it in one of the interviews. Those words were used. Leave it with me. Either way every time I hear the word poach when not in relation to eggs and elephants I get really wound-up.

[geysir]

Eg. any reference to 'when Shels poached the title'.

[BonnieShels]

Yeah. Elephants never forget.

[SkStu]

Mopery alert. I can confidently state that the IFA never will stage a 48 team World Cup Finals, never will change its main code to rugby league or tiddlywinks, and never will organise a joint charity team with the FAI to let various third-rate English ringers go through the motions. Trust that clarifies things for you.

Maybe I'm not understanding something about humanity but why the hell is such a notion (a joint charity game) so repulsive to you and the organization you're speaking for? Couldn't we move beyond positions and politics for a greater good, whatever that might be?

To be clear, I'm not advocating for Kenny's suggestion, I'm just baffled by the narrow mindedness displayed by your post.

[gastric]

Maybe I'm not understanding something about humanity but why the hell is such a notion (a joint charity game) so repulsive to you and the organization you're speaking for? Couldn't we move beyond positions and politics for a greater good, whatever that might be?

To be clear, I'm not advocating for Kenny's suggestion, I'm just baffled by the narrow mindedness displayed by your post.

Because it doesn't fit with their narrow minded opinion of Nationalists expressing their beliefs, or possibly having some say in the future direction of the North. Oh, how they miss gerrymandering! How slow are you Stu?:D

[Gather round]

but why the hell is such a notion (a joint charity game) so repulsive to you?

Kenny's suggestion is a witless stunt intended purely to wind up NI fans. As I explained, it's the equivalent of suggesting that the South merges with Britain or Germany, or Saskatchewan becomes the 51st State. Even if only to field a joint ice hockey or downhill skiing team.

I've no idea about your general understanding of humanity, but the above should be fairly easy to grasp?


Couldn't we move beyond positions and politics for a greater good, whatever that might be?

We have. The thing is, we'd rather not have a neo-con politician like Kenny anywhere near our chldren's health services. What other greater good had you in mind?


To be clear, I'm not advocating for Kenny's suggestion, I'm just baffled by the narrow mindedness displayed by your post

I'm not at all narrow-minded. Odd suggestion. I mean at a trivial level, I wouldn't tend to reply on this forum if was?

[Gather round]

Because it doesn't fit with [his] narrow minded opinion of Nationalists expressing their beliefs

Moronic comment. When have I ever stopped Nationalists- wherever they are on the Globe- expressing an opinion?


or possibly having some say in the future direction of the North

Don't you have elections regularly in Australia, like we do?


Oh, how they miss gerrymandering! How slow are you Stu?:D

Has Gerrymandering gone away? Er, no. Electoral boundaries are still distorted to favor the big parties or blocs. In both parts of Ireland.

I'd work on the comedy routine if I were you. Glaciers and geological epochs have been known to move faster...

[gastric]

Kenny wasn't stirring, he was expressing the wish of the majority of people in Ireland, which granted does not please everyone nor is it practical. However, your condescending attitude and stirring comments about children's services indicates your bitterness and a typical myopic view of the desires of many Nationalists.

[Gather round]

Kenny wasn't stirring, he was expressing the wish of the majority of people in Ireland

Wrong. The majority of people in don't actually, whether because they're indifferent to football, prefer to support their existing teams or simply don't get off on lame, repetitive p*sstakes.


which granted does not please everyone nor is it practical

Impracticality isn't the problem, I've no problem generally with politicians at least trying to be imaginative. Which this stunt isn't.


However, your condescending attitude and stirring comments about children's services indicates your bitterness and a typical myopic view of the desires of many Nationalists

Condescending? I'm merely answering your sneers in kind. Stirring? Unlike Enda (and you, by the sound of it) I reckon children's health services (with cross-border co-operation) are worthy of serious discussion in politics. I'm not at all bitter nor myopic about what Nationalists tend to want (ie generally, a united Oireland right up to the point where they have to start thinking about paying for it.

[bwagner]

King in today's paper on about a new player he has found for us. Went to see him play on Saturday , he will speak to him this week before he tells the media who he is..

[gastric]

Wrong. The majority of people in don't actually, whether because they're indifferent to football, prefer to support their existing teams or simply don't get off on lame, repetitive p*sstakes.



Impracticality isn't the problem, I've no problem generally with politicians at least trying to be imaginative. Which this stunt isn't.



Condescending? I'm merely answering your sneers in kind. Stirring? Unlike Enda (and you, by the sound of it) I reckon children's health services (with cross-border co-operation) are worthy of serious discussion in politics. I'm not at all bitter nor myopic about what Nationalists tend to want (ie generally, a united Oireland right up to the point where they have to start thinking about paying for it.

I'm waiting for you to do your usual, to disappear when the going gets tough. I expect we will hear from you again when Ryan McLaughlin gets the call from O'Neill or Roy and gets his paperwork sorted.

[geysir]

Kenny's suggestion is a witless stunt intended purely to wind up NI fans

Yet another Nordie paranoia alert, Kenny is purposely and deviously trying to wind up Unionists in their IFA enclave.
Save Ulster the IFA from sodomy Kenny!

[Gather round]

I'm waiting for you to do your usual, to disappear when the going gets tough

Dealing with the terminally stupid is always tough, but you'll be pleased that I've no plans to disappear ;)


I expect we will hear from you again when Ryan McLaughlin gets the call from O'Neill or Roy and gets his paperwork sorted

You can hear from me now. The kid does seem uninterested in playing for NI u-21, so probably best if he buggers off now. Good luck to him in his future career, even if that means the lower divisions like his brother and no further international games.


Yet another Nordie paranoia alert, Kenny is purposely and deviously trying to wind up Unionists in their IFA enclave

Igloo computer security alert- Ardee Troll seems to have hacked into your account.

[gastric]

Dealing with the terminally stupid is always tough, but you'll be pleased that I've no plans to disappear ;)



You can hear from me now. The kid does seem uninterested in playing for NI u-21, so probably best if he buggers off now. Good luck to him in his future career, even if that means the lower divisions like his brother and no further international games.



Igloo computer security alert- Ardee Troll seems to have hacked into your account.

Bitterness towards McLaughlin now. I don't think he will play in the lower divisions, too good for that and too good for NI. Better he play for a team that can possibly play in major championships and leave the 'terminally stupid' to support and play for NI! It's typical of you to revert to personal insults as you have nothing tangible to say.

[Gather round]

Bitterness towards McLaughlin now

Aye, wishing him every success in his career- and advising him to make a quick break to avoid wasting his own and everyone else's time. How bitter can I get?

It really is like dealing with a small child on here sometimes...


I don't think he will play in the lower divisions, too good for that

Of course you may have an ear to Liverpool's coaches and/ or be expert in young player development generally. But I imagine it's neither. McLaughlin is 19 and hasn't yet played a single professional competitive club game for anybody, even on loan. Be realistic, it's much more likely he won't play regularly for Liverpool and is bound for lower league football.


It's typical of you to revert to personal insults as you have nothing tangible to say

It isn't actually, I only do it sparingly here and elsewhere. In your case in direct response to be being accused of myopia, narrow-mindedness and support for gerrymandering. Not to mention bitterness, intangibility, trolling (ie not defending my point) and condescension. All without any actual evidence. You are impressively verbose though, kudos for that.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Kenny's suggestion is a witless stunt intended purely to wind up NI fans. As I explained, it's the equivalent of suggesting that the South merges with Britain or Germany, or Saskatchewan becomes the 51st State. Even if only to field a joint ice hockey or downhill skiing team.
Jaysus, they must be very easy to wind up...or lacking in common sense to ignore a throwaway remark, most people in Ireland would know it unlikely.


The thing is, we'd rather not have a neo-con politician like Kenny anywhere near our chldren's health services. What other greater good had you in mind?
Whereas the DUP, those raging 'liberals' of course make Enda look 'socialist' by comparison...


I'm not at all narrow-minded. Odd suggestion. I mean at a trivial level, I wouldn't tend to reply on this forum if was?
You're certainly not, er, 'narrow'. ;)
But seem capable of excessive paranoia about spoof comments made by 'foreign' politicians!


Moronic comment. When have I ever stopped Nationalists- wherever they are on the Globe- expressing an opinion?
Not on here, but elsewhere, yes, most definitely! See 'Paranoia' et al.


Has Gerrymandering gone away? Er, no. Electoral boundaries are still distorted to favor the big parties or blocs. In both parts of Ireland.
The Rt.Hon.Gerry Mandered has only appeared in the North, to favour Unionists as pretty much any independent pundit will confirm.


I'd work on the comedy routine if I were you. Glaciers and geological epochs have been known to move faster...
Hmm. At least they have one.


Wrong. The majority of people in don't actually, whether because they're indifferent to football, prefer to support their existing teams or simply don't get off on lame, repetitive p*sstakes.
Actually the majority probably never even knew he said it...


Condescending? I'm merely answering your sneers in kind. Stirring? I'm not at all bitter nor myopic about what Nationalists tend to want (ie generally, a united Oireland right up to the point where they have to start thinking about paying for it.
Hmm, patronising, certainly.


Dealing with the terminally stupid is always tough, but you'll be pleased that I've no plans to disappear ;)
As opposed to the paranoia you consistently reflect?


The kid does seem uninterested in playing for NI u-21, so probably best if he buggers off now. Good luck to him in his future career, even if that means the lower divisions like his brother and no further international games.
Why are the two related?


Igloo computer security alert- Ardee Troll seems to have hacked into your account.
Nice HYPOCRISY. Such a line doesn't exclude the very rotund you know...
:rolleyes:

[ArdeeBhoy]

It isn't actually, I only do it sparingly here and elsewhere. In your case in direct response to be being accused of myopia, narrow-mindedness and support for gerrymandering. Not to mention bitterness, intangibility, trolling (ie not defending my point) and condescension. All without any actual evidence.
Hmm...not what the contemporaries elsewhere would say. Plenty of past evidence, usually relating to any implicit criticism of the North, serious or otherwise.
Besides the paranoia, really the worst thing is the blatant hypocrisy in terms of rational debate. Especially when you claim to take a higher intellectual plane, when in reality there is none.

[BonnieShels]

Sometimes I miss Ealing Green. Sometimes mind.

Other times I don't.

GR, wind yer neck in.

[Stuttgart88]

Kenny's suggestion is a witless stunt intended purely to wind up NI fans.
I honestly don't think Kenny has any inkling of what would wind up a NI fan, or a ROI fan either for that matter. The fortunes of our football team(s) probably cross his mind very very rarely. Unfortunately, last weekend was one of those rare occasions. As I said before, if he gave a hoot about football - or children's welfare - there are far better things he could be suggesting.

[Gather round]

I honestly don't think Kenny has any inkling of what would wind up a NI fan, or a ROI fan either for that matter

If he was a Castlebar parish councillor shooting it off in the pub, fair enough. But prime ministers do tend to have ranks of special advisers giving them cynical briefings on this sort of thing.

[Fixer82]

If he was a Castlebar parish councillor shooting it off in the pub, fair enough. But prime ministers do tend to have ranks of special advisers giving them cynical briefings on this sort of thing.

I think he prefers to be called Taoiseach :P

[Gather round]

Fine. Dear Taoiseach, kindly do one. Yours etc., GR.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Except no-one cares. But you...

[Stuttgart88]

If he was a Castlebar parish councillor shooting it off in the pub, fair enough. But prime ministers do tend to have ranks of special advisers giving them cynical briefings on this sort of thing.He said the idea just popped into his head. I'd believe him, despite being a politician, in this instance.

Again, I'm not sure even his ministers or special advisors give a hoot about football either. That's part of the problem.

[BonnieShels]

Given this bizarre furore over Enda's comments I'm just happy he didn't state that he wouldn't "stand idly by [sic]"...

[SwanVsDalton]

Kenny's suggestion is a witless stunt intended purely to wind up NI fans.

Christ on a minnowism bike, that is a statement straight out of the Kookoo Bananapants Tin Hat Construction Manual. Even the most ardent Kenny hater wouldn't say he stays awake at night cooking up schemes just to press the Windsor Park gang's buttons. Oh lordy.

We know NI fans have an inflated sense of self-importance, but claiming they've dragged a country's leader into a petty, irrelevant PR war is a whole other level.

Edit: Just saw this was addressed by Stutts above, had skipped straight here after reading the post. As mentioned above, I can't see how a fluffy charity football match, proposed off-the-cuff, would need a damage assessment from a cabal of political strategists.

[Gather round]

I can't see how a fluffy charity football match, proposed off-the-cuff, would need a damage assessment from a cabal of political strategists

Probably why it got a terse two-line dismissal and one guy commenting on a message board. Who naturally has had no replies from the massed ranks of other readers who ignore non-stories ;)


that is a statement straight out of the Kookoo Bananapants Tin Hat Construction Manual

You're funny. But not in a good way.

[BonnieShels]

Christ on a minnowism bike, that is a statement straight out of the Kookoo Bananapants Tin Hat Construction Manual. Even the most ardent Kenny hater wouldn't say he stays awake at night cooking up schemes just to press the Windsor Park gang's buttons. Oh lordy.

We know NI fans have an inflated sense of self-importance, but claiming they've dragged a country's leader into a petty, irrelevant PR war is a whole other level.

Edit: Just saw this was addressed by Stutts above, had skipped straight here after reading the post. As mentioned above, I can't see how a fluffy charity football match, proposed off-the-cuff, would need a damage assessment from a cabal of political strategists.

This is now my favourite word this week.

Incidentally it's taken over "salient". How apt.

[geysir]

Kenny's words did act to clear the blockages in the sewers for a while, as the usual suspects emerged to man the radar system.


http://images.huffingtonpost.com/2013-10-09-IanKnoxLoyalismBrianJohnSpencer.jpg

[SwanVsDalton]

Probably why it got a terse two-line dismissal and one guy commenting on a message board. Who naturally has had no replies from the massed ranks of other readers who ignore non-stories ;)

Thanks but I'd rather not talk about non-stories from someone who has dedicated approximately 1,000 posts to an errant brain fart that escaped Enda Kenny's mouth last week. ;)


You're funny. But not in a good way.

http://viewsfromthesofa.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/pesci.jpg

[third policeman]

Fine. Dear Taoiseach, kindly do one. Yours etc., GR.

Whereas I generally share your views on Kenny and his inept Parish Council-style posturing, his views on this occasion have been endorsed by none other than former NI captain and World Cup legend Martin O'Neill. It might just be that he has made an uncharacteristically reasonable suggestion that deserves some rational consideration. Of course it might just be a deeply personal and premeditated assault on your increasingly precarious and unwinding sense of identity.

[Gather round]

Thanks but I'd rather not talk about non-stories from someone who has dedicated approximately 1,000 posts to an errant brain fart that escaped Enda Kenny's mouth last week. ;)

I make it 18 actually. But thanks for bothering to count.


Whereas I generally share your views on Kenny and his inept Parish Council-style posturing, his views on this occasion have been endorsed by none other than former NI captain and World Cup legend Martin O'Neill

That's nice. Do you think ex- NI captains or World Cup veterans are immune from talking baloney then?


It might just be that he has made an uncharacteristically reasonable suggestion that deserves some rational consideration. Of course it might just be a deeply personal and premeditated assault on your increasingly precarious and unwinding sense of identity

You go right ahead give it that rational consideration. Once you've finished Pop Psychology for Dummies.

[The Fly]

Do you think ex- NI captains or World Cup veterans are immune from talking baloney then?

You go right ahead give it that rational consideration. Once you've finished Pop Psychology for Dummies.

Have you been to America recently?

[geysir]

Just because he's paranoid, doesn't mean Enda is not out to get him.

[gastric]

Thank goodness, he's gone now after being up until 3.52 in the morning defending the Empire against nasty Republicans. It's morning here so I am ready and waiting to defend our Taoiseach from this nasty man! ;)

[ArdeeBhoy]

Probably why it got a terse two-line dismissal and one guy commenting on a message board. Who naturally has had no replies from the massed ranks of other readers who ignore non-stories
It's not the story they're concerned about, but the disproportionate failure to accept rational explanation, which as geysir's previous definition showed, highlights a fair degree of exaggerated paranoia*.


You're funny. But not in a good way.
His version was rather more humorous than one which shows all the signs of being, er, peculiar.


I make it 18 actually.
So already 17 too many. Unless of course you were just 'seeking attention' ?
:rolleyes:


Do you think ex- NI captains or World Cup veterans are immune from talking baloney then?

You go right ahead give it that rational consideration. Once you've finished Pop Psychology for Dummies.
To answer the first point, it would be difficult, be it Best, Dougan or Lennon, to be more irrational...

On the final one, might we suggest tomes for you, that not only deal with the dreaded 'p'-word *, but also that explain irony, not to mention hypocrisy...

[Charlie Darwin]

On the plus side, in light of the IFA's statement and Gather Round's passionate musings on the subject, we can now be sure that there are at least two people on the island of Ireland who take Enda Kenny seriously.

[Gather round]

First, my apologies to Gastric and others for going in two-footed above. Yellow card duly accepted, no hard feelings I hope.


On the plus side, in light of the IFA's statement and Gather Round's passionate musings on the subject, we can now be sure that there are at least two people on the island of Ireland who take Enda Kenny seriously

Aye, it's hard being a voice in the wilderness. Lately I've even been hallucinating that Enda got 36% of the voters to take him seriously in the last election.


Have you been to America recently? [referring baloney and pop psychology]

No, just Bologna and Vienna. The original and best.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Hmm, not what you said about this the other day...
And a different shade of 'yellow' would be rather more apt iterms of cards being played.

Even Enda has a bigger mandate though!
:rolleyes:

[geysir]

It must be a bi-polar type paranoia, comes on in waves.

[Charlie Darwin]

Aye, it's hard being a voice in the wilderness. Lately I've even been hallucinating that Enda got 36% of the voters to take him seriously in the last election.

Do you have a temperature?

[DannyInvincible]

'All-Ireland soccer team will never happen – Keith Gillespie': http://thescore.thejournal.ie/all-ireland-team-never-happen-keith-gillespie-1177185-Nov2013/


EX-NORTHERN IRELAND star Keith Gillespie has dismissed hopes of an all-Ireland team being established in the future, suggesting it will “never happen”.

Enda Kenny recently put forward the idea for a team of players from both sides of the border to be established to play charity matches against England, however Gillespie believes this idea is not viable.

The former Man United player, who won 86 caps for his country over the course of a 20-year playing career, believes the situation is too complex politically for a resolution that would see the two sides come together.

“For me, it’ll never happen for political reasons — there’s just too many complications with it,” he told TheScore.ie.

“I was brought up as a Northern Ireland fan. So for me, that’s my country. For people brought up as Republic of Ireland fans, that’s their country.

“I’ve always been a Northern Ireland fan from a young age and used to go and watch them. That’s my identity and I wouldn’t want it changed. But I’m not into the politics of it whatsoever.”

He expresses similar views in his new autobiography, How Not to be a Football Millionaire, in which he claims the longstanding animosity between the team’s sets of fans was never emulated by players from the respective countries.

In the book, he also laments the infamous circumstances that led to Neil Lennon having to quit the Northern Irish team.

“Neil was popular in the group, although he had taken stick from some supporters at Windsor since his move to Celtic. With so many northern Ireland fans having Rangers loyalties, he was never going to be their favourite person but it descended into something far more sinister than that.

“We had our usual nap in the hotel before the game. I popped down to reception after and knew from the looks on people’s faces that something was up. Neil was gone. Death threats had been phoned through via the BBC and, after consulting with police, he would be taking no part in the game. He was so shaken up by the incident that he had quit Northern Ireland completely. Sammy called a meeting to explain the situation and, while we chose to go ahead with the game, I really don’t think anyone was in the mood. It finished 0-0. Fitting, because there were no winners that day.”

Gillespie, whose mother grew up on the same street as Martin O’Neill, backed his fellow countryman to succeed in his new role as Ireland manager.

“It’s a great appointment — a real coup to get someone like Martin O’Neill who has had a lot of success from Wycombe all the way up to Leicester and Celtic. He was a fantastic player who won European trophies, played in the World Cup finals and captained his country.

“He’s a great man to have and I can only see good things happening for the Republic.”

[ArdeeBhoy]

Slow news day for The Journal?

[DannyInvincible]

Probably getting the last bit of mileage out of a dying (dead?) story as part of Gillespie's promotion of his new autobiography. Does that imply he also has an old one? Could Keith Gillespie possibly have enough material to keep the punters buying two autobiographies?


I’ve always been a Northern Ireland fan from a young age and used to go and watch them. That’s my identity and I wouldn’t want it changed. But I’m not into the politics of it whatsoever.

I'm not sure how those statements can be reconciled. Supporting any international side and embracing an identity are inherently political acts, surely? If Gillespie, or anyone else for that matter, was to "admit" that their politics coloured their football-thinking, what'd be the harm in that? Why does "politics" have to be a dirty word, as if this "malign" influence of politics upon our motives renders them impure or something?