Shane Ferguson

[BonnieShels]

'The Derry-born player is the latest teenager to become embroiled in an international tug-of-war between the IFA and FAI over recent weeks'

Gross inaccurate description there. We don't need to tug, we just have that natural magnetic attraction.

The language if this whole row is what's making it worse.

[Jicked]

Northern Ireland's Jim Boyce has just been elected to the increasingly repugnant FIFA ExCo. I wonder will he try to, or even can, influence the eligibility issue from that position.

[BonnieShels]

Northern Ireland's Jim Boyce has just been elected to the increasingly repugnant FIFA ExCo. I wonder will he try to, or even can, influence the eligibility issue from that position.

Please see the Eligibility thread...

http://foot.ie/threads/147164-Eligibility-Rules-Okay/page24

[DannyInvincible]

You could read that as 'hope (within the IFA) that he will refuse to switch........'

I considered that, but, due to the surrounding context, it doesn't appear that the journalist was writing from the perspective of the IFA, at least to me anyway.

[liamoo11]

Heres our next recruit lads. http://www.redcafe.net/f40/ruairi-croskery-332237/. Annsborough would be fairly nationalist!! With sam byrne moving over this summer maybe we will have two strikers up top for utd youths in a few years. Best of luck to the lad either way

[DannyInvincible]

I'm suspicious of you, liamoo11, or are those figures in your username indicative of your age?

Anyway, assuming that you are posting here in good faith, eligibility matters should be discussed in the designated thread: http://foot.ie/threads/147164-Eligibility-Rules-Okay/page30

[liamoo11]

I'm suspicious of you, liamoo11, or are those figures in your username indicative of your age?

Anyway, assuming that you are posting here in good faith, eligibility matters should be discussed in the designated thread: http://foot.ie/threads/147164-Eligibility-Rules-Okay/page30

Might I ask what you are suspicious of? The lad is from Down in the north of Ireland so obviously he is eligible and consequently i dont see how this post has any place in the eligibility thread. Two 15/16 year old Irish strikers playing youth football for Utd is likely to be of interest to some contributors on here. If you have no interest in youth football then why comment on this? Im not 11 so Id rather you didnt tell me where I can post. Congrats on a worthy 1.350th post.

[Charlie Darwin]

What on earth does this have to do with Shane Ferguson?

[liamoo11]

You are absolutely right it has nothing to do with ferguson. I should have started a new thread maybe for irish youth players moving cross channel to big clubs this summer apologies.

[DannyInvincible]

Might I ask what you are suspicious of? The lad is from Down in the north of Ireland so obviously he is eligible and consequently i dont see how this post has any place in the eligibility thread. Two 15/16 year old Irish strikers playing youth football for Utd is likely to be of interest to some contributors on here. If you have no interest in youth football then why comment on this? Im not 11 so Id rather you didnt tell me where I can post. Congrats on a worthy 1.350th post.

Well, as CD points out, your post had nothing to do with Shane Ferguson. Of course, I was merely directing you towards a thread where discussion of northern-born players from playing within the northern system might be slightly more relevant. You can post about these chaps in this thread 'til your heart's content, but I can't imagine the mods will take too kindly to it. Or you could just start a new thread.

Your use of the word "recruits" and describing Annsborough as "fairly nationalist" just seemed a bit suspect to me, as if you were trying to incite something, but I apologise if I read you incorrectly. I also recall a poster on here making a bizarre query in relation to Irish nationality recently as he asked if it made one eligible to play for one of the UK teams. For some reason, I thought it had been you - similar username or something maybe - but the error might have been on my part, as I can't seem to find the post right now and have had a skim through your post history. You'll be happy to hear, however, that, as a result, your obvious interest in youth football has been duly noted. Kudos.

[liamoo11]

fair enough. Living in Annsborough, going to a catholic school, playing gaelic football and been called Ruairi would suggest that when you have to choose between the IFA and the FAI you are more likely to choose the FAI and therefor be a "recruit" for the FAI. I was simply trying to highlight that this lad might turn out for the republic just like someone posted a few months ago that Paul George of Celtic was likely to see his future with the FAI. Of course I may be completely wrong and he may have a long career with the north and good luck to him.

[DannyInvincible]

Hmm... Niall McGinn lived in Donaghmore, went to a Catholic school, played Gaelic football and has a similarly Irish name, yet he chose to play for the IFA. Anyway, it's way off-topic.

[liamoo11]

Absolutely that is the beauty of the situation for all promising footballers they can chose the IFA or FAI. Choice is great. My crystal ball has no definitive answers.

[French Toasht]

Hmm... Niall McGinn lived in Donaghmore, went to a Catholic school, played Gaelic football and has a similarly Irish name, yet he chose to play for the IFA. Anyway, it's way off-topic.


Without wanting to sound condescending in any way to the NI fans, I think a huge part of McGinn's decision to represent NI, was based on a realistic self assessment of his own abilities and the realisation that he would be unlikely to feature in the Irish team due to greater competition for places. He made a pragmatic decision to play international football with a team that he is more likely to feature in, in the same way as some of the English lads have done with us. This has in no way lessened his commitment to the cause and NI fans have really taken to him due to his tireless work ethic. But as a self confessed Irish fan, his decision must have been based on a reasoned assessment of his chances of breaking into the Irish team.

[DannyInvincible]

Without wanting to sound condescending in any way to the NI fans, I think a huge part of McGinn's decision to represent NI, was based on a realistic self assessment of his own abilities and the realisation that he would be unlikely to feature in the Irish team due to greater competition for places. He made a pragmatic decision to play international football with a team that he is more likely to feature in, in the same way as some of the English lads have done with us. This has in no way lessened his commitment to the cause and NI fans have really taken to him due to his tireless work ethic. But as a self confessed Irish fan, his decision must have been based on a reasoned assessment of his chances of breaking into the Irish team.

I seem to recall possessing a vague memory of a poster on OWC asserting proudly that Niall McGinn never harboured any intentions of playing for Ireland. So, we're to believe he spent his childhood dreaming of playing for NI...

I agree with pretty much everything you say. He mightn't even have been aware of the fact he'd have been expected to contact the FAI to let them know of his interest in them rather than them contact him to let him know of their interest in him. Who knows? I haven't seen much of McGinn since he left Derry, but he always looked a cut above. I think he could have been an option for us had things worked out better for him at Celtic, but he seems to be little more than a reserve player now.

Of course, had we poached him, we might even have had the GAA taking a case to CAS calling for compo!

[Sullivinho]

Without wanting to sound condescending in any way to the NI fans, I think a huge part of McGinn's decision to represent NI, was based on a realistic self assessment of his own abilities and the realisation that he would be unlikely to feature in the Irish team due to greater competition for places. He made a pragmatic decision to play international football with a team that he is more likely to feature in, in the same way as some of the English lads have done with us. This has in no way lessened his commitment to the cause and NI fans have really taken to him due to his tireless work ethic. But as a self confessed Irish fan, his decision must have been based on a reasoned assessment of his chances of breaking into the Irish team.

I think you're absolutely correct. The man whom this thread is in honor of might well be making similar assessments as we speak.

[Predator]

I think you're absolutely correct. The man whom this thread is in honor of might well be making similar assessments as we speak.I can tell you that he is certainly mulling it over. :)

[Sullivinho]

I can tell you that he is certainly mulling it over. :)

Tell him to get over his modesty, he's definitely good enough ;)

[Gather round]

.....

[Gather round]

Without wanting to sound condescending in any way to the NI fans

None taken, good post.


Tell him to get over his modesty, he's definitely good enough ;)

Ha ha. Ferguson is anything but modest: having to mull over whether to retire from international football aged 19 suggests a time-waster to me. Sooner he buggers off the better. A younger Biggles McCartney, or possibly one or two of your own players who've skived off recently.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Except you said you 'no longer support them'. For the umpteenth time.

And who says SF is mulling 'over whether to retire from international football' ??

[BonnieShels]

Ah lads.

[DannyInvincible]

Out of interest, what was George McCartney's reasoning for retiring from international football? Was it due to a personal dispute with Sanchez over a scrap with Keith Gillespie on a plane back from an away trip or something?

[Predator]

Ha ha. Ferguson is anything but modest: having to mull over whether to retire from international football aged 19 suggests a time-waster to me. Sooner he buggers off the better. A younger Biggles McCartney, or possibly one or two of your own players who've skived off recently.How do you know how modest he is? He's taking a bit of time to decide whether or not to stick with the IFA. Would you not like to have him around?

[Gather round]

.....

[Gather round]

And who says SF is mulling 'over whether to retire from international football' ??

The BBC. Of course it may not be true, but it would be a reasonable assumption, given his absence from recent squads, that he longer wants to play for NI. Which counts as considering retirement, in my book.


Out of interest, what was George McCartney's reasoning for retiring from international football? Was it due to a personal dispute with Sanchez over a scrap with Keith Gillespie on a plane back from an away trip or something?

Sanchez called him a cnut, apparently. As if that never happens elsewhere to professional footballers. He threw the dummy because he didn't like the coach, then a while later he did it again. Time-waster.


How do you know how modest he is? He's taking a bit of time to decide whether or not to stick with the IFA. Would you not like to have him around?

I've inferred it from his behavior, of course. Not jumping at the chance to play full international football aged 19 obviously suggests arrogance. I don't need to know him personally to suggest that.

As I said immediately above, no, I'd prefer he just came out with it and said he didn't want to play. And as I said at the beginning of the thread, if he wanted to turn out for the South's U-21 instead, fine. Bye. Although I wouldn't be surprised if he prematurely retired from that too.

[Predator]

The BBC...That's interesting, I didn't know that. Do you have a link?


I've inferred it from his behavior, of course. Not jumping at the chance to play full international football aged 19 obviously suggests arrogance. I don't need to know him personally to suggest that.He's not jumping at the chance of playing international football for NI...any more. I'm not sure that it necessarily suggests arrogance. After all, it's well documented that he's taking time to decide whether or not to continue with the IFA or to declare for the FAI.
Was he dropped for a recent U21 fixture? Prior to Worthington erroneously stated that Ferguson was ignoring him, that is.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Of course it may not be true, but it would be a reasonable assumption, given his absence from recent squads, that he longer wants to play for NI. Which counts as considering retirement, in my book.

Really?
Except who says he should tell you, or any of us for that matter if he wants to play? Or who for.
It's between SF & eg. the IFA rep. of the day, in this case Worthington.


Sanchez called him a cnut, apparently. As if that never happens elsewhere to professional footballers. He threw the dummy because he didn't like the coach, then a while later he did it again. Time-waster.
Would largely agree, except you said something different at the time....
;)


I've inferred it from his behavior, of course. Not jumping at the chance to play full international football aged 19 obviously suggests arrogance. I don't need to know him personally to suggest that.

As I said immediately above, no, I'd prefer he just came out with it and said he didn't want to play. And as I said at the beginning of the thread, if he wanted to turn out for the South's U-21 instead, fine. Bye. Although I wouldn't be surprised if he prematurely retired from that too.

Hmm, the only arrogance I can see is someone jumping to rather a lot of assumptions here about someone they don't or will ever know.....
:rolleyes:

And who are 'the South' ?
:confused:

[Not Brazil]

As I said immediately above, no, I'd prefer he just came out with it and said he didn't want to play.

Absolutely right.

Not buying into the whole "it's Nigel's fault" charade. It's a bit convenient. - If Ferguson's heart is set on playing for the South, let him get on with it asap.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Except he's not eligible for South Korea....

[Not Brazil]

Except he's not eligible for South Korea....

Yes, I know he's not - I didn't suggest he was.

He's not eligible for North Korea either.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Aye, but that means you might need to work on your comedy then....
:rolleyes:

[Not Brazil]

Aye, but that means you might need to work on your comedy then....
:rolleyes:

As I wasn't engaging in "comedy", I fail to see the relevance of your comment.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Take your word for it....

[DannyInvincible]

Slightly off-topic, this, but I decided to have a look at North Korea on Google Maps (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=north+korea&aq=&sll=40.128491,128.825684&sspn=9.252897,21.643066&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=North+Korea&z=7). For some reason, I think I was interested in seeing if there were parts of the North more southerly than the South and parts of the South more northerly then the North along the lines of that one about Malin Head being further north than NI. They often talk of the Korean split being along the 38th parallel. Strictly, it isn't. Anyhow, to my surprise - or maybe it shouldn't be all that surprising - Google don't offer any map coverage of North Korea at all. However, I did manage to find Pyongyang on the satellite and thought the compact density of one of its residential areas (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=North+Korea&aq=0&sll=39.031859,125.753765&sspn=0.018368,0.042272&g=pyongyang&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=North+Korea&ll=39.000443,125.780003&spn=0.004594,0.010568&t=h&z=17) was quite a site.

Anyway...

[ArdeeBhoy]

The only problem is Danny, anyone viewing that probably sends back an automatic tag to Pyongyang, The Pentagon or worse....

[Sullivinho]

Slightly off-topic, this, but I decided to have a look at North Korea on Google Maps (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=north+korea&aq=&sll=40.128491,128.825684&sspn=9.252897,21.643066&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=North+Korea&z=7)...

You could have finished that post talking about cloud composition and it'd still have high regard for it given that first line.

Methinks it's time for Master Ferguson to come through with a decision when speculation turns to Korean reconaissance.

[BonnieShels]

Slightly off-topic, this, but I decided to have a look at North Korea on Google Maps (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=north+korea&aq=&sll=40.128491,128.825684&sspn=9.252897,21.643066&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=North+Korea&z=7). For some reason, I think I was interested in seeing if there were parts of the North more southerly than the South and parts of the South more northerly then the North along the lines of that one about Malin Head being further north than NI. They often talk of the Korean split being along the 38th parallel. Strictly, it isn't. Anyhow, to my surprise - or maybe it shouldn't be all that surprising - Google don't offer any map coverage of North Korea at all. However, I did manage to find Pyongyang on the satellite and thought the compact density of one of its residential areas (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=North+Korea&aq=0&sll=39.031859,125.753765&sspn=0.018368,0.042272&g=pyongyang&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=North+Korea&ll=39.000443,125.780003&spn=0.004594,0.010568&t=h&z=17) was quite a site.

Anyway...


It's like if you were in a boat on Lough Foyle; the South is north and The North is south.

[irishfan86]

The only problem is Danny, anyone viewing that probably sends back an automatic tag to Pyongyang, The Pentagon or worse....

Belfast, I believe.

[drummerboy]

As a matter of interest where are Shane's parents from?

This could be very relevant as to who he ends up playing for

[DannyInvincible]

Not sure where his father's from. Probably from around Limavady or Eglinton. His mother's from Scotland, I believe. So, Scotland maybe? :p

[tetsujin1979]

Not sure where his father's from. Probably from around Limavady or Eglinton. His mother's from Scotland, I believe. So, Scotland maybe? :p
neither a hurling stronghold!

[BonnieShels]

neither a hurling stronghold!

What a divine piece of commentary from Mícheal. How lucky are we.

[DannyInvincible]

It'll be Cork then so.

[tetsujin1979]

What a divine piece of commentary from Mícheal. How lucky are we.
it's a bit of a running joke with me and my mates, whenever anyone mentions two places together, as in "it's either placeA, or placeB", automatically someone says "neither a hurling stronghold"

[BonnieShels]

I always wonder how I acquired my mates, no way they would get that and I'd get glazed looks of "what's a hurling?"

[DannyInvincible]

"Shane Ferguson's dressing room promotion": http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/newcastle-united/nufc-news/2011/07/15/shane-ferguson-s-dressing-room-promotion-72703-29058886/


SHANE FERGUSON has been promoted to Newcastle United’s first-team dressing room and told to make a name for himself by Alan Pardew.

United have missed out on the signing of full-back Neil Taylor after the Welsh international’s move to Tyneside fell through and he signed a four-year deal with the Swans.

However, the emphasis now turns to the promising Ferguson for United fans.

The Irish left-back – who will start against Darlington tonight with Jose Enrique not set to figure – has cut a toned and stockier figure on his return to training since the Magpies’ summer break, and admits he is raring to go.

[The Fly]

No word on his international promotion?

[tommy_c12000]

Was subbed at half time for Ryan Taylor:

http://www.nufc.co.uk/articles/20110715/darlington-0-newcastle-2_2281670_2393957

[ArdeeBhoy]

Not sure where his father's from. Probably from around Limavady or Eglinton. His mother's from Scotland, I believe. So, Scotland maybe?

It would be quite amusing if he ended up playing for them....
Wonder how it'll turn out for him at Newcastle this season;a make-or-break year?