Eligibility Rules, Okay

[SwanVsDalton]

Impossible to take anything Beaglehole says seriously.

Not with that name.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Well, just maybe another sort of "hole", springs to mind....
;)

[DannyInvincible]

I’m not having a go at the people wanting those players to play for their country. They’re not poaching, that’s not the right term, they’re getting as many good players as they can and doing their job.

I haven’t got a problem with that.

Kewl guy!


The problem is there is nothing to compensation [sic] an association who has put the hours into a player, taken them to tournaments, helped to develop them and then lose the player.

But there is. What does he think he is owed? International football is a voluntary endeavour. Players don't owe associations anything (see Gearge McCartney and Stephen Ireland, for example) and "repay" the IFA with their immediate services in a particular squad anyway. Are they supposed to owe the IFA a career of service after that or something?

I suppose they'll be volunteering to offer us compensation for Bruce, such is their level of sanctimony...


Northern Ireland is a small country and we have quality players at all age groups and I’m in a good position to say that

Kiribati is a small country. NI; not so much. So what? Are FIFA to dish out favours to smaller associations to make up for what are natural population imbalances?


When players play their football for Northern Ireland they have the opportunity to progress quickly if they are good enough.

Is a strict diet of carrots good for a young lad?


To be honest that is why I find it strange when players opt out, because they know they will get their chance and know that the senior manager is involved in weeks like this with the Milk Cup and seeing players at first hand in training and matches.”

So, from a purely football situation — I’m not getting into the politics of it all — they have got a great opportunity to play international football, to test themselves against old lads when they are still in underage teams and we have seen that with so many players of late.

He finds it strange? If he wasn't so terrified of "getting into the politics of it all", the penny might drop for our Steve.

[Charlie Darwin]

Oh dear. Poor Nigel (http://twitpic.com/5x8vp8). It just doesn't get any better for him.

[Newryrep]

I just want to play international football with that sort of ringing endorsement I really do begin to worry about the motives of playing for your country

Did he ever think about turning down NI phoning the FAI and telling them hes available

[DannyInvincible]

I just want to play international football with that sort of ringing endorsement I really do begin to worry about the motives of playing for your country

Did he ever think about turning down NI phoning the FAI and telling them hes available

In fairness, he does say that specifically in relation to the possibility of playing for NI: "The north called me up and I just want to play international football."

Not how I would approach things personally if I was ever in such a situation, but that's pretty much how Niall McGinn would have approached his IFA call-up. McClean might view the idea of playing for Ireland slightly differently, just as McGinn (an open Ireland supporter) would have had he believed he had the ability to play for us. Still, if McClean wants to play for Ireland, he should be on the phone to the FAI.

Out of interest, what is the crest on the sweater McClean is wearing in the photo? Is it an FAI crest or an Airtricity League XI training top?

[BonnieShels]

@thegawa linked to this...

http://s3.amazonaws.com/twitpic/photos/large/348980345.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=AKIAJF3XCCKACR3QDMOA&Expires=1311883853&Signature=cRN4TUHmPGUzjwoM92w3CBqx5Sg%3D

Padraig won 3 on his own didn't he?

Anyway it would be a better graphic if they had Ireland and showed 6!

Nice vague "I want to play intl football"... I reckon he has a better chance of getting into the squad for the IFA's team.

[BonnieShels]

Out of interest, what is the crest on the sweater McClean is wearing in the photo? Is it an FAI crest or an Airtricity League XI training top?

Airtricity League XI logo.

[Sullivinho]

Impossible to take anything Beaglehole says seriously.

Not with that name.

Sounds like something one might encounter and be obliged to inspect during a brisk sunday morning hunt.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Ha. Beaglehole not happy about losing his balls.....I mean players.
It gets better and better.

"Northern Ireland is a small country" he says
Why do they keep saying that? No it's not. It is however, a small artificially created statelet.

To be fair, that gets picked up on the comments on the BT page.
:)

[DannyInvincible]

@thegawa linked to this...

http://s3.amazonaws.com/twitpic/photos/large/348980345.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=AKIAJF3XCCKACR3QDMOA&Expires=1311883853&Signature=cRN4TUHmPGUzjwoM92w3CBqx5Sg%3D

Padraig won 3 on his own didn't he?

Anyway it would be a better graphic if they had Ireland and showed 6!

Jesus, are you trying to undermine golfing apartheid in Ireland or something?!

[DannyInvincible]

Airtricity League XI logo.

Aye, was thinking it looked slightly different in the blurry newspaper photo. I came across this video interview (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peWCoAWhJLw&feature=player_embedded) with McClean (in aforementioned jumper) on ExtraTime.ie. I get the impression the interviewer is being slightly devious with the direction of his early questions, but James avoids anything that might be cause for contention, hehe.

[DannyInvincible]

Just had my regular wade through OWC there. Always an experience...

Latest on the eligibility "issue", bar the expected general disapproval of Worthington welcoming Alex Bruce's declaration:


Just looking at the ROI u19 squad, who look to be on their way out of the u19 finals courtesy of Spain, there is not one NI born player there. Strangely there is a cousin of Rio and Anton Ferdinand playing for them. I wonder how some of those guys will feel at having been usurped by Nordie Nationalists/Republican former NI players in a year or two, if not sooner.

Odd point. Why it would be strange that a cousin of Rio and Anton Ferdinand with a Dublin-born father might be playing for us, I'm not sure. Anyway, Shane Duffy was as much a part of the qualifying squads as other players who participated, so I'm sure such players would take losing their place to any Irishman in much the same way. I think Paddy McEleney was also in a squad or two (although didn't play, to my knowledge). I don't see why where he happened to be born or why his political persuasions would make any difference to them. :confused:

As for the thread on the prospect of Carál Ní Chuilín visiting Windsor Park for NI's upcoming Faroe Islands game in her capacity as Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure; it makes genuinely startling reading. Or should it? Perhaps the admins on there ought to actually get their act together in light of this (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-14345649). There has been some truly socio-pathic stuff expressed over there from regular posters/site supporters without even a hint of reproach from those supposed to be running the place. Any where else and you'd be booted straight off for openly (and in stone-cold seriousness, I kid you not) wishing car crashes, AIDS or slow, painful deaths on Ní Chuilín and "them all" (presumably Sinn Féin members and their supporters?), but I suppose it's OK when quite a few people are espousing such primitive, backward and downright psychotic views... I've had no problems acknowledging the 'Football for All' programme and I purposefully avoid trotting out the Neil Lennon thing as an issue nationalists need have with the IFA or whoever as I don't believe that exceptional incident to be truly indicative of NI fans, by and large, who appear generally happy with the likes of Niall McGinn in their side, but I'd be stunned if any rational-minded person, no matter what side of the communal divide they come from, didn't feel slightly shocked after reading through the broad consensus along with some of the more extreme views expressed in that thread on Ní Chuilín.

As for Gregory Campbell - an amusing little anecdote here for anyone interest (it is football-related, I swear!) - I'll never be able to get the following image out of my head. I'm sure there's an old video still on the BBC or UTV sites somewhere, but unfortunately I can't put my finger on it at the minute. When Derry City were playing Paris Saint-Germain in the first round of the 2006-07 UEFA Cup in the Brandywell, Campbell was, for some reason (he wasn't even a Foyle constituency representative), interviewed in Guildhall Square on the afternoon before the game. Naturally, the streets were buzzing, the pubs were decked out in red and white bunting, flags and painted messages of luck in the windows. Everyone was pretty excited for what was to be a huge game for the local club. Derry were already on a phenomenal European run, having just made light work of IFK Gothenburg and Gretna in the qualifying rounds. Anyway, the interviewer asked Campbell who he'd be supporting in the UEFA Cup that evening and, true to form, a smug smirk immediately shone across his face before he swiftly reached into his inside blazer pocket and revealed a mini penant he'd been concealing in there. The penant featured not the crest of Campbell's home-city club, nor even a crest of either team playing in that evening's game at the Brandywell. Rather, it had the crest of Glasgow Rangers emblazoned across it. Rangers were to play FK Molde of Norway that night. Maybe I'll find that video again some day if ever they introduce video descriptions to dictionary entries; next to the word "bitter", of course.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Leave them be, DI.

Let their muppets go on :rolleyes: shooting themselves in the foot.
Even if they do collectively need psychological treatment....

[Gather round]

Gregory Campbell supports Rangers

Fancy that. Ye'll be telling us that Queen Anne's dead next.

Have to admit I'd quite like to meet 'minister' Caral Ni C. We're long-past neighbors in the 'hood, but lost touch when she went off to her sociology masters at the University of Armagh nick.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Yes, she could advise on proper spelling....
;)

[Not Brazil]

Aye, was thinking it looked slightly different in the blurry newspaper photo. I came across this video interview (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peWCoAWhJLw&feature=player_embedded) with McClean (in aforementioned jumper) on ExtraTime.ie. I get the impression the interviewer is being slightly devious with the direction of his early questions, but James avoids anything that might be cause for contention, hehe.

This kid intimates on his Facebook page that a "switch" to the South would be a runner for him.

Whilst NW has stated he McClean is unlikely to play against the Faroes, I feel he should be introduced for the last minute of the match - if (that's a big if) Northern Ireland are comfortably in control of the game.

[Charlie Darwin]

This kid intimates on his Facebook page that a "switch" to the South would be a runner for him.

Whilst NW has stated he McClean is unlikely to play against the Faroes, I feel he should be introduced for the last minute of the match - if (that's a big if) Northern Ireland are comfortably in control of the game.
No chance. Nigel will punish him for his comments in the newspaper and he won't see a minute on the pitch.

[CraftyToePoke]

I feel he should now pass on the call up, if he is being seriously considered by Wigan, or even Champoinship sides, he should back his ability to play for us and not end up regretting it like McGinn has. He can always look at it again later, like Bruce has, if he so wishes.

[DannyInvincible]

This kid intimates on his Facebook page that a "switch" to the South would be a runner for him.

He's not too private about his political persuasions either, I see. How will that sit with the Windsor faithful? By the looks of things, NI fans don't seem too keen on Ní Chuilín and her compadres at the minute.


Whilst NW has stated he McClean is unlikely to play against the Faroes, I feel he should be introduced for the last minute of the match - if (that's a big if) Northern Ireland are comfortably in control of the game.

If Worthington wants to cap him for ten seconds at the end of the Faroes game, that's his prerogative. If McClean is happy with that, fair enough. His choice and good luck to the lad, although I'd personally rather he was on the phone to the FAI if his long-term ambition was to play for us.

[Gather round]

I feel he should be introduced for the last minute of the match - if (that's a big if) Northern Ireland are comfortably in control of the game

Bad idea. If he's that that good, stick him on at the start or when we need a goal after 45 or 60 minutes. If he isn't, then there's little point him being in the squad.


I feel he should now pass on the call up, if he is being seriously considered by Wigan, or even Champoinship sides, he should back his ability to play for us...He can always look at it again later, like Bruce has, if he so wishes

Maybe he fancies international football per se. Or realises that however much he might wrap himself in the flag etc., Trap or his successor will prefer someone at a higher level even if thew latter only qualifies through his long-dead granny.


and not end up regretting it like McGinn has

Is there any actual evidence for this?

[CraftyToePoke]

Maybe he fancies international football per se. Or realises that however much he might wrap himself in the flag etc., Trap or his successor will prefer someone at a higher level even if thew latter only qualifies through his long-dead granny.

Is there any actual evidence for this?

McClean looks like he may be about to get a move to that higher level though.

And McGinn looking at his boots through the anthem, the picture was posted on here recently, and declaring himself an Ireland fan recently is enough for me.

[BonnieShels]

http://s2.jrnl.ie/media/2011/05/north1-310x415.jpg

[Gather round]

McClean might move int othe English Prem as you suggest. More likely he'll be a division lower; in which case someone playing in the Prem would be ahead of him in the queue to play for the Republic.

McGinn hasn't turned down any NI appearances, hasn't shirked during them and seems quite happy enough to remain available for more in future. That's enough for me. I'd prefer he hadn't announced his support for another team quite so publicly but we'll get over it. We've had plenty of other players in the past who clearly were English and presumably supported England as kids and beyond. So have you, be honest.

Only one current NI fan doubles as lead vocalist during the anthem. It might not surprise you that it's wee Warren feeney ;)

[DannyInvincible]

http://s2.jrnl.ie/media/2011/05/north1-310x415.jpg

The most significant thing that stands out for me in that photo is Rory Patterson's gut. I happened to share a flight with him from Manchester to Derry a few weeks ago and he actually looked in better shape.

That's a different photo to one posted another time though. Baird and McGinn have their heads raised in that with Davis, Patterson and McCourt having heads bowed. Davis must be a closet republican then. ;)


McClean might move int othe English Prem as you suggest. More likely he'll be a division lower; in which case someone playing in the Prem would be ahead of him in the queue to play for the Republic.

I dunno what chance McClean has of featuring in our side for the near future anyway. He'd be well down the pecking order after the likes of McGeady, Duff, Hunt and Treacy. Trap might even favour Keogh, Lawrence, Fahey or Kilbane ahead of him on the left (or what about utility-man, John O'Shea?); maybe those at Robbie Brady's level too. Even Shane Ferguson might be ahead of him. :p


We've had plenty of other players in the past who clearly were English and presumably supported England as kids and beyond. So have you, be honest.

I remember stories of how Andy Townsend had been supporting England against Ireland on the television in a pub during Euro '88 - in his defence, he must have been drunk! - but two years later he was playing for us against them at a World Cup.

[Gather round]

The most significant thing that stands out for me in that photo is Rory Patterson's gut

Now the fat waster's returned to his natural level at the Plues, I'd back Buddha Fester to beat him in the sprint to the lunch queue.

[CraftyToePoke]

McClean might move int othe English Prem as you suggest. More likely he'll be a division lower; in which case someone playing in the Prem would be ahead of him in the queue to play for the Republic.

We do have Championship players also, and if he found the level quickly there, did well, who knows where his career may lead, Connor Sammon very nearly joined Scunthorpe days before Wigan gave him a shot at being a Prem player, this coming season will tell us a lot about him, so McClean could end up being an Ireland player, I am just saying if that is what he really wants, he should back his ability to achieve that. As McGinn would if he had his time again maybe? Good luck to him either way.

And as for Mr Warren Feeny's dulcet tones, well done him, but I would see it as slightly more than a reluctance to sing along issue, but, maybe McGinn and Co are just shoegazing in embarrassment at not yet knowing the words.

[BonnieShels]

Yeah. That was the best photo I could find DI via the Googlemachine. It demonstrates your point well though.

Couldn't find the one of McGinn and McCourt (?) down on their honkers.

[DannyInvincible]

This is the one:

http://i437.photobucket.com/albums/qq94/bhamilton82/gstq.jpg

They'd end up in Australia if they crouched any lower.

[Sullivinho]

This is the one:

http://i437.photobucket.com/albums/qq94/bhamilton82/gstq.jpg

They'd end up in Australia if they crouched any lower.

They wouldn't be the first Irishmen to end up there for offences against her majesty's rule. :D

[ArdeeBhoy]

McGinn hasn't turned down any NI appearances, hasn't shirked during them and seems quite happy enough to remain available for more in future. That's enough for me. I'd prefer he hadn't announced his support for another team quite so publicly but we'll get over it.

Why? Should he regret his heritage?



We've had plenty of other players in the past who clearly were English and presumably supported England as kids and beyond. So have you, be honest.
With the exceptions of Lawro' (only since he retired) & Townsend, struggling to think of any others. Who, exactly, did you have in mind??
And what about all those young lads in your U-21 & youth sides??

And Feeney must at the very least, come from a 'mixed' heritage??

[Gather round]

I am just saying if that is what he really wants, he should back his ability to achieve that. As McGinn would if he had his time again maybe? Good luck to him either way

Accepting a NI international call-up suggests that what McClean really wants is to play against the Faeroes. If he doesn't get on, fine. He can still theoretically go on to play for RoI.

We can't read McGinn's mind, but I'd guess he's quite satisfied to have played in the SPL and won international caps. Not having been quite good enough to play for RoI notwithstanding.

[Predator]

Accepting a NI international call-up suggests that what McClean really wants is to play against the Faeroes. If he doesn't get on, fine. He can still theoretically go on to play for RoI.McClean dodged the question in a few interviews (his Facebook page is a little more enlightening), but what came across is that he was simply happy to be given the opportunity to play at a higher level. Obviously it is debateable whether or not he views it as ideal (Derry players are known for their idealism, of course).

[Not Brazil]

He's not too private about his political persuasions either, I see. How will that sit with the Windsor faithful? By the looks of things, NI fans don't seem too keen on Ní Chuilín and her compadres at the minute.



If Worthington wants to cap him for ten seconds at the end of the Faroes game, that's his prerogative. If McClean is happy with that, fair enough. His choice and good luck to the lad, although I'd personally rather he was on the phone to the FAI if his long-term ambition was to play for us.

Can only speak for myself - I couldn't care less where the kid puts his X on a ballot paper.

If he chooses to play for Northern Ireland, all I expect is that he gives it 100%.

It's his choice, and his moment of truth is fast approaching - it's his perogative.

If he doesn't want to play for Northern Ireland, it's a simple "Goodbye" - it frees up the shirt for someone who wants it.

Re: Our Sports Minister coming to Windsor Park - I've no issues with that per se.

I'd be more upset if Alex Bruce came.;)

[Not Brazil]

And Feeney must at the very least, come from a 'mixed' heritage??

It's all in the name.:D

Warren "mixed heritage"? :D

[ArdeeBhoy]

Feeney is a Connacht surname from Sligo, which is not exactly Belfast/the osc....

So am presuming he has a 'mixed' heritage. As in not a 'pure' Brit.

But it's OK, if he wants to play for that lot, up to him!

[ArdeeBhoy]

Do we have a link to McClean's FBk page?

[greendeiseboy]

Do we have a link to McClean's FBk page?

I've had a look at his FB page. I dont see anything immediately obvious in his more recent posts that states that he wants to play for us.

What I did see was a lot of people congratulating him on his call up.........and by the sound of their christian and surnames would be from both sides!!

As for is political allegiances as referred to in a previous post i dont see anything obvious in relation to that also.

Either that or he's deleted them!!

By the way it's easy enough find his page if you want to.

[Predator]

I've had a look at his FB page. I dont see anything immediately obvious in his more recent posts that states that he wants to play for us.

What I did see was a lot of people congratulating him on his call up.........and by the sound of their christian and surnames would be from both sides!!

As for is political allegiances as referred to in a previous post i dont see anything obvious in relation to that also.

Either that or he's deleted them!!

By the way it's easy enough find his page if you want to.He states his political allegiance clearly on his page and on one photo of him playing for the IFA (as found by an OWC member), a friend says "Should be a Republic top" and McClean replies, "Hopefully soon lol"

[greendeiseboy]

He states his political allegiance clearly on his page and on one photo of him playing for the IFA (as found by an OWC member), a friend says "Should be a Republic top" and McClean replies, "Hopefully soon lol"

In fairness to him that was before he was called up (even though it was 16th July) but he seems quite pleased with the call up.

As regards his political allegiance - I still cant see that on his info page but then again I'm not from up there so it mightn't be immediately obvious to me.

[Predator]

Although political views on facebook aren't necessarily indicative of truth, McClean's says SF - Sinn Fein. I think that given his upbringing in Creggan along with his apparent political views, not to mention his own words, it's safe to assume that he's an Ireland supporter and would possibly like to play for Ireland. He can still be pleased with the call up to the IFA senior team though (he already played at U19 and U21 level), he deserves it in my opinion.
I think it's a bit odd that McClean wasn't ever considered by the FAI when he was younger, given that the McEleney brothers have played for FAI youth teams while at Derry. Harkin was in the squad when he was at Charlton. I think Davy McDaid and Tom McBride were in youth squads or training camps too.

[greendeiseboy]

Although political views on facebook aren't necessarily indicative of truth, McClean's says SF - Sinn Fein. I think that given his upbringing in Creggan along with his apparent political views, not to mention his own words, it's safe to assume that he's an Ireland supporter and would possibly like to play for Ireland. He can still be pleased with the call up to the IFA senior team though (he already played at U19 and U21 level), he deserves it in my opinion.
I think it's a bit odd that McClean wasn't ever considered by the FAI when he was younger, given that the McEleney brothers have played for FAI youth teams while at Derry. Harkin was in the squad when he was at Charlton. I think Davy McDaid and Tom McBride were in youth squads or training camps too.

Yeah - I remember McBride was called up to a training camp not aware if McDaid was.

I dont think McClean will withdraw from the squad - whether he's good enough for us or even NI remains to be seen.

I must be blind - I dont see the SF reference.

But I was well impressed with Daniel Kearns - first time seeing him play - wonder if Lennon is tempted?

[Predator]

Yeah - I remember McBride was called up to a training camp not aware if McDaid was.

I dont think McClean will withdraw from the squad - whether he's good enough for us or even NI remains to be seen.

I must be blind - I dont see the SF reference.

But I was well impressed with Daniel Kearns - first time seeing him play - wonder if Lennon is tempted?McClean's what, 22? He's been tremendous for Derry and is a former U21 international, but it seems likely that unless he gets a move he might never see international football again.

Kearns was excellent the other day. He may have stolen McClean's thunder. He has been brilliant all season for Dundalk too.I remember watching him help the destruction of Shamrock Rovers earlier in the year. I doubt he'll be in Ireland much longer and he's younger than McClean by 3 years, right? He could actually set his sights a wee bit higher than Celtic to be honest.

[greendeiseboy]

McClean's what, 22? He's been tremendous for Derry and is a former U21 international, but it seems likely that unless he gets a move he might never see international football again.

Kearns was excellent the other day. He may have stolen McClean's thunder. He has been brilliant all season for Dundalk too.I remember watching him help the destruction of Shamrock Rovers earlier in the year. I doubt he'll be in Ireland much longer and he's younger than McClean by 3 years, right? He could actually set his sights a wee bit higher than Celtic to be honest.

As a fan, I'd like to see him at Celtic - but he could also use it as a stepping stone.

[ArdeeBhoy]

So no Fbk.link then??

[greendeiseboy]

So no Fbk.link then??

Key in James McClean and look out for the profile pic with him from the match at the weekend

[ArdeeBhoy]

Aye, found it now.

Not the world's greatest typist....

[Not Brazil]

So am presuming he has a 'mixed' heritage. As in not a 'pure' Brit.

But it's OK, if he wants to play for that lot, up to him!

Third generation to play for Northern Ireland - as his father and grandfather did before him.

When Warren finishes his career at Linfield (the Club he has supported since a boy), he will also follow in his father and grandfathers footsteps in wearing the Royal Blue.

The old Feeney family's bar in East Belfast was about as "mixed heritage" as Stokes's da's gaff in Dublin.:D

http://www.linfieldfc.com/interview.asp?inv=591

[Charlie Darwin]

Third generation to play for Northern Ireland - as his father and grandfather did before him.

When Warren finishes his career at Linfield (the Club he has supported since a boy), he will also follow in his father and grandfathers footsteps in wearing the Royal Blue.

The old Feeney family's bar in East belfast was about as "mixed heritage" as Stokes's da's gaff in Dublin.:D
Half man half ape?

[Not Brazil]

Half man half ape?

I thought Stokes's da's place was mixed - half Provo, half Dissident.