Eligibility Rules, Okay

[geysir]

Seeing as most OWC fans don't appear to understand the CAS judgement or the FIFA rules of eligibility, even if he was able, Gerry would only confuse matters if he raised the debate above partisan, blind emotive level.

[dantheman]

To be fair, GA's just another 'Special Agent', along with that chap Nigel...

Gerry is doing a great job so far

[Newryrep]

Its a bit like groundhog day, the preceeding decisions clarifications appear not to have registered or been understood, 'ignoring their own regulations' priceless

[ArdeeBhoy]

Aye, it's called 'denial'.
;)

[DannyInvincible]

OMG, and I hate saying OMG, but OMG. So much wrong with all of it. DI would have a field day.

As much as I'd love to, I'll have to let Gerry off the hook this time around as I have minimal-to-no internet access at the minute and it'll remain that way for another fortnight or so.

I just can't understand how poorly informed he is though. I mean, surely someone at the IFA has read the Kearns judgment and should be able to point out where he's going wrong.

[Not Brazil]

I just can't understand how poorly informed he is though. I mean, surely someone at the IFA has read the Kearns judgment and should be able to point out where he's going wrong.

I wouldn't be so sure DI.

Reading it and understanding it are two different things.

My guess would be that certain senior figures at the IFA are still of the belief that FIFA are NOT upholding their own rules.

[theworm2345]

Just read that Swansea manager Brenadon Rodgers' son Anton has been playing for the Republic

As it stands, Rodgers' son Anton has declared for the Republic of Ireland, but his father says "that is not something that can't be rectified".

"I spoke with Gerry Armstrong recently as I'm a big advocate of Northern Ireland.

"I want to see Northern Ireland boys play for Northern Ireland and the reason my son is playing for the Republic is simple - they asked him while he was never asked to play for Northern Ireland.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/northern_ireland/15016954.stm


Anton was born in Reading so I'm not sure he's a "Northern Ireland boy" but is apparently relatively highly rated for Brighton where he plays in the reserves (he is only 18)

[greendeiseboy]

Just read that Swansea manager Brenadon Rodgers' son Anton has been playing for the Republic

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/northern_ireland/15016954.stm


Anton was born in Reading so I'm not sure he's a "Northern Ireland boy" but is apparently relatively highly rated for Brighton where he plays in the reserves (he is only 18)

Well, it looks like he's going to be press ganged into a decision to fulfil his oul lads dream of managing NI.

He's all for NI lads playing for NI...well it's a pity he didnt apply that to his son when the FAI asked him to play for us.

The likes of him and Armstrong really make themselves look like tossers when they complain about lads declaring for us even though it's their birthright.

Just seen on BBC that Rodgers is a cousin of Worthington

[bwagner]

Why are these catholics calling it a country ...times have changed. two uncle toms

[geysir]

As it stands, Rodgers' son Anton has declared for the Republic of Ireland, but his father says "that is not something that can't be rectified".

………."I've been speaking to Gerry and I think he's planning to go to Brighton to speak to him."

When the IFA approach players who have already declared for the FAI, it's called speaking to the player.
When/if the FAI do it, it's called poaching/kidnapping/an act of sectarian hatred/ part of a conspiracy plot to annihilate the loyalist base of the wee statelet.

[Charlie Darwin]

Hands off our kids, Brendan Rodgers!

[Sullivinho]

When the IFA approach players who have already declared for the FAI, it's called speaking to the player.
When/if the FAI do it, it's called poaching/kidnapping/an act of sectarian hatred/ part of a conspiracy plot to annihilate the loyalist base of the wee statelet.

Or as per Gerry's official title, 'mentoring'.

I trust geologists everywhere have been informed that the high ground ain't what it used to be.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Don't you mean, er, 'grooming' ??
:eek:

[Not Brazil]

Just seen on BBC that Rodgers is a cousin of Worthington

Brendan's Grandmother and Nigel's mother were sisters.

[Predator]

So Gerry has "been in contact" with Anton Rogers about switching from the FAI to the IFA.

"Armstrong is employed by the IFA to try and stop their young players following in the footsteps of Darron Gibson, James McClean and Shane Duffy by linking up with the Republic."

Rogers, despite never playing for the IFA, is considered to belong to them. Theirs, y'hear?!

[greendeiseboy]

So Gerry has "been in contact" with Anton Rogers about switching from the FAI to the IFA.

"Armstrong is employed by the IFA to try and stop their young players following in the footsteps of Darron Gibson, James McClean and Shane Duffy by linking up with the Republic."

Rogers, despite never playing for the IFA, is considered to belong to them. Theirs, y'hear?!

And considering the lenghts the IFA have gone to try and stop this they still think it's perfectly in order to make direct contact with our players to get them to declare for NI.

All this despite there being no evidence that the FAI have ever directly approached an NI player to declare for us.

[boovidge]

Rogers, despite never playing for the IFA, is considered to belong to them. Theirs, y'hear?!

Despite the IFA taking no interest in him whatsoever until he turned out for us!

[co. down green]

Young Rogers is within his rights to change to the IFA team under FIFA rules, so if that's his choice its fine by me.

The hypocrisy of Armstrong and the IFA is another issue.

Armstrong has now opened up the whole issue by approaching Irish players and the FAI should now be contacting, recruiting and upping their pursuit of all players in the North. Invitations to training camps, trips to the Aviva, the whole gambit should be used to strengthen and increase the player base of our underage sides.

There is certainly no longer a need for players to contact the FAI first, seeking inclusion in our sides. Time for the FAI to openly go after any player in the North who will benefit our side.

[Newryrep]

Young Rogers is within his rights to change to the IFA team under FIFA rules, so if that's his choice its fine by me.

The hypocrisy of Armstrong and the IFA is another issue.

Armstrong has now opened up the whole issue by approaching Irish players and the FAI should now be contacting, recruiting and upping their pursuit of all players in the North. Invitations to training camps, trips to the Aviva, the whole gambit should be used to strengthen and increase the player base of our underage sides.

There is certainly no longer a need for players to contact the FAI first, seeking inclusion in our sides. Time for the FAI to openly go after any player in the North who will benefit our side.

I disagree CDG, the FAI door is always open, players are in no doubt they can play for us (unless they have played competatively for soembody else of course)I am happy to leave it at that. nothing stopping a player/parent picking up a phone

TheIFA hypocrisy is there for all to see

[BonnieShels]

Except the OWC.

[Predator]

Despite the IFA taking no interest in him whatsoever until he turned out for us!
We better be on the look out for the men draped in IFA attire, trying to remain inconspicuous as they get their nets ready, at our underage games in future. This is the end of football in Ireland.

[Irwin3]

Didn't know much about Brendan Rodgers so I've just had a look on his wiki. Retired at 20, no mention of his international appearances. I then clicked on the wiki page for his birthtown and on it, it states unsourced that he was a 'Republic' schoolboy! So I googled "Brendan Rodgers Republic schoolboy" and there are several articles that describe him as such.

However I'll take the man's word as the most authoritative source:

"I was brought up playing for Northern Ireland schoolboys and youth international games. We would play against the likes of France and Spain and Germany and always on the defensive. It was all about stopping them, not what we could do. I wanted to be in control. That was when the seed for my ideas was planted."
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2025464/Brendan-Rodgers-mobile-beeped-message-Jose-Mourinho-Its-Man-City-away-game-mate-s---3-points-guaranteed.html


However, the BT has an article from two weeks ago on the passing of Brendan's father and they describe him as:

"Losing both of his parents within a year of each other will come as a heavy blow to the former Republic of Ireland schoolboy international."
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/swans-boss-brendan-rodgers-pays-tribute-as-father-loses-cancer-fight-16048414.html


I presume they're getting confused because he went to Catholic school and his son has played for an Ireland youth team. It's easy to see why they can't get their head around eligibility rules when they're so confused about what teams players have represented!

[cestlavie]

Young 15 year old Letterkenny native Dale Gorman has declared for the Northern Irish under 16 team.

His father Anthony Gorman played for the Republic of Ireland Youth team for a couple of years and played most of his football in the Irish League.

Dale Gorman was born in Derry but has lived in Letterkenny all his life. He has played for Donegal Schoolboys at the Kennedy Cup, Galway Cup & Foyle cup at different age groups.

I wish him the best. At the end of he day its a great opportunity/experience for the young lad. I see on the IFA website that he played in the 2 games for the Northern Irish under 16's in Finland last week.

It appears that the Republic coaches thought he was abit on the small side. I would certainly have question marks over the emerging talent programmes. Are we just looking to bring through 6 foot plus lads. Strange.

http://www.irishfa.com/news/item/6777/under-16s-triumph-in-finland/

[Olé Olé]

The BT describe Armstrong's mandate as being to "stop their young players following in the footsteps of Darron Gibson, James McClean and Shane Duffy by linking up with the Republic", then the opposite to his role would be bringing young Republic players to play with the North (following in the footsteps of Alex Bruce).

Rodgers has unintentionally dropped Armstrong in it, although I would suspect that Rodgers had given Armstrong permission to speak to his son prior to this.

It's also worth considering whether Anton Rodgers has taken a Shane Ferguson-type outlook in relation to this matter. Aside from whatever aspirations of playing for Northern Ireland that Brendan and Anton may hold, it's worth bearing in mind that Anton was only on standby for the Irish U19 squad for the European Championships. Had Anton been in that squad and travelled to a major youth tournament, then maybe his head wouldn't be turned by the opportunity to play for Northern Ireland. Anton found himself behind Jeff Hendrick in the pecking order for this tournament and why wouldn't he expect himself to be behind someone like Hendrick for the forseeable future given Hendrick's recent progression in Championship football?

I'm not implying that Anton feels no ties with Northern Ireland, I'm merely saying that there are plenty more factors attributing to this possible U-turn.

[Predator]

Is Gorman attending school in Derry? U16 is a schoolboy team and I think it's the NISFA that run it.

[cestlavie]

He goes to school in Letterkenny, St Eunans College which has a pretty good record with All Ireland success.

Some of that squad would be at school in England and elsewhere so dont think its an issue. Id say you have to have a direct link to Northern Ireland, either be born in the North or have parent/grandparent with northern connections etc.

I think another boy in that squad Sean Mullen also lives in Donegal but attends school in Derry. I wouldnt know the criteria thats its fully based on.

[ArdeeBhoy]

It appears that the Republic coaches thought he was abit on the small side. I would certainly have question marks over the emerging talent programmes. Are we just looking to bring through 6 foot plus lads. Strange.

Must be something about the name Gorman?
:eek:

Seriously though, most modern professional soccer players in this part of the world are now over 6 ft, maybe down to 5ft 10, at a pinch, so no great surprise if short-asses get rejected out of hand.
:(

[awec]

Must be something about the name Gorman?
:eek:

Seriously though, most modern professional soccer players in this part of the world are now over 6 ft, maybe down to 5ft 10, at a pinch, so no great surprise if short-asses get rejected out of hand.
:(

The best football player in the world is a short ass.

Essien (United) and David Silva (Real Madrid) are two examples of players rejected by clubs for being too short.

George Best was once rejected by Glentoran for being too small (I kid you not).

Think at that age physical build shouldn't be an issue.

[ArdeeBhoy]

I'd agree, but just talking about the evidence I see before me even in 'lesser' football, where most shorties get insufficient opportunities, mainly because they're not perceived to be able to compete physically, regularly....

'Short-sighted', I know.
:rolleyes:

[TrapAPony]

I see Shane Ferguson still didn't get called up the N.Ireland senior squad for the games against Italy & Estonia

[gspain]

Interesting article from Thomas P Walsh book twenty years of Irish Soccer published in 1941. The article reproduced in full below was written by JL Brennan former chairman of the FAI and former secretary of the league. Article was produced in a FIFA 1929 publication

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q203/gspain_2007/SANY0822.jpg


http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q203/gspain_2007/SANY0837.jpg

[Mr_Parker]

Any chance you could try another scan of it as I can hardly read it? Thanks.

[gspain]

Any chance you could try another scan of it as I can hardly read it? Thanks.

Unfortunately my scanner is broken and I took about 20 photos last night and they are the best. Happy to email the photos to you in you pm me your email address.

The print in the book is also quite small so even reading the article from the book isn't easy on the eye.

[Mr_Parker]

Unfortunately my scanner is broken and I took about 20 photos last night and they are the best. Happy to email the photos to you in you pm me your email address.

The print in the book is also quite small so even reading the article from the book isn't easy on the eye.

Ta, but don't worry. I managed to blow it up and read.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Hmm, waffle of 60 years ago isn't much different to the waffle of now...

[SwanVsDalton]

Ferguson still not answer his phone to NI. (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/15159257.stm)

Take the hint there Nige.

[Charlie Darwin]

Kids these days and their mobile telephones.

[Sullivinho]

http://img265.imageshack.us/img265/5281/22585086.png

[geysir]

Very good Sulli.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Where did you lift it from? OWB?

No way it could have been real though.
Lafferty would never understand a word like 'impending'. Too many syllables...

[BonnieShels]

Getting dumped by Miss Ireland must do strange things to a man. Y'hear stories about her occasionally, your ex. How she got into an awful state with her new guy 'Steve' over in Cyprus. The road accident in San Marino - the two old ladies who died. He makes her call him 'the gaffer'. It makes your blood boil. You were her gaffer once. You know he's a bad influence on her but it don't change the fact she's moved on. Last you heard she'd hooked up with some wealthy old Italian dude. Two guys in a row with exotic accents...you feel inadequate. Someone mentions that he watches DVDs of them together. That dirty b@stard you think to yourself, as the boats pull into Tórshavn. She's not taking as many beatings these days but hell, that's small consolation.

And then you happen to run into her plump, illegitimate cousin. She's got identity and abandonment issues. Some say she's trouble.

But you think hmmm...

I'd hit that.


I just read this post again and it made me laugh so hard again. Bravo sir. Pity you didn't keep it back for 3 weeks.

[TrapAPony]

King of Spain '82 Armstrong still on a mission for his Ireland:laugh:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2045778/Gerry-Armstrong-relishing-new-role-Northern-Ireland.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

[Charlie Darwin]

I'm confused. I scanned through the article and I couldn't find the letters 'EPN' anywhere. :confused:

[DannyInvincible]

Clearly, Gerry still has a lot of homework to do.

[BonnieShels]

Clearly, Gerry still has a lot of homework to do.

Ah, there you are.


Players are able to move because of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement that was supposed to mark an end to the Troubles.
One of its conditions was 'the birthright of all the people of Northern Ireland to identify themselves and be accepted as Irish or British, or both'.
Fifa and Uefa recognised this dual nationality.

8 weeks in and still this crap is pedalled.

Aaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrggggggghhhhhh!!!!!!

[SwanVsDalton]

Heads up guys - there's an article coming up in the next issue of When Saturday Comes which is going to cause keyboards to be flung across rooms in frustration.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Really?
Why?

[SwanVsDalton]

It's simply another flat out incorrect, incomprehensible and incoherent 'woe is the IFA' mess, written by an NI fan. Don't want to say much more but you can see for yourself in a couple of weeks. Something to look forward to eh.

EDIT - Actually it's out this week. Tevez is on the front cover (of course) so have a look out for it.

[BonnieShels]

Heads up guys - there's an article coming up in the next issue of When Saturday Comes which is going to cause keyboards to be flung across rooms in frustration.

To Easons!!!!!

[tetsujin1979]

To Easons!!!!!

to Martha!