LOI support for Ireland

[osarusan]

I'm personally a big critic of "if he'll add to the team, pick him, even if he's got bugger all links or feelings for Ireland".
You see, I've never had a problem with this. We don't have a problem with it at club level - we'll be happy with anybody who will add to the team. I feel pretty much the same about the international team.

[El-Pietro]

I dont beleive for a second he would take insult as I am not knocking anyones Irishness. I am mearly pointing out that I would like to see an only Irish born team out, as a matter of fact I would rather see that team lose than Non Irish born players win. Roy Keane is a disgrace (even though I agree with his reasons) for screwing with the world cup team (IMO), and I dont think he should have been eligible after that but that is a personal opinion on him by me so if he wanted to take insult away with him. Lots of foreign born players have worn the shirt proudly but I think it should be Irish born only. BTW what does it say about your loyalty to your country of birth , not to want to play for them. Is that not an insult to them?

you might not mean to insult but trust me you are managing it

[Macy]

You see, I've never had a problem with this. We don't have a problem with it at club level - we'll be happy with anybody who will add to the team. I feel pretty much the same about the international team.
I don't agree international football is the same as club level, or at least it's not supposed to be. So as to not get into the same circular argument here when there's already a thread on this in the Ireland forum, I'll leave it at that. Also, I don't think it is really a LoI related issue to be honest - I doubt this issue has much impact on the LoI support, or lack of, for the national team.

[harleyleeds]

So you wouldn't have had Paul McGrath then?

That's clearly a nonsense policy, even if I'm personally a big critic of "if he'll add to the team, pick him, even if he's got bugger all links or feelings for Ireland".


Its not personal to mcgrath or anyone else . Do you want to go on picking out foreign players to say this about, whats the point. I think Paul was great ok.
Some people (such as yourself) dont care if not one of the players representing your country are from your country and thats fine but I would prefer that they are from the country and that should be fine too. Honestly I beleive that most of these players would not make the grade in their own country so Ireland provides world football for them but some local lad loses a possible place for his country.

[Macy]

Its not personal to mcgrath or anyone else . Do you want to go on picking out foreign players to say this about, whats the point. I think Paul was great ok.
I used his example to show you're being too extreme - he was born in London, but only spent a very short time there before being brought up in Ireland.

Not going to bother with the rest of your post, as you clearly didn't bother to read the rest of the post, or my following posts.

[harleyleeds]

I used his example to show you're being too extreme - he was born in London, but only spent a very short time there before being brought up in Ireland.

Not going to bother with the rest of your post, as you clearly didn't bother to read the rest of the post, or my following posts.

Ill take that lack of response as no Irish born on team is acceptable then and I did read the rest of your post(s).

[El-Pietro]

Ireland is Paul McGrath, Kevin Kilbane, James McCarthy, Darron Gibson Aiden McGeady and my country.

Each of us identifies ourselves with ireland. In the case of Paul McGrath and myself we were born outside the country but were brought up here from a very young age.

[harleyleeds]

Ireland is Paul McGrath, Kevin Kilbane, James McCarthy, Darron Gibson Aiden McGeady and my country.

Each of us identifies ourselves with ireland. In the case of Paul McGrath and myself we were born outside the country but were brought up here from a very young age.


Ok lets assume you were born in England (doesnt matter if it was somewhere else) .
Now lets assume they (English fa) picked you to play for them and Ireland (your country) did not consider you good enough for them. would you play for England or never play world football?

[Macy]

Ill take that lack of response as no Irish born on team is acceptable then and I did read the rest of your post(s).
It is, depending on who the non irish born are. If it's a team of Kevin Kilbanes then I couldn't careless. If it's a team of Jermaine Pennants, then it would matter - well to me at least, we already know that most wouldn't give a toss.

[El-Pietro]

Ok lets assume you were born in England (doesnt matter if it was somewhere else) .
Now lets assume they (English fa) picked you to play for them and Ireland (your country) did not consider you good enough for them. would you play for England or never play world football?
as it happens I was born in England. And no, I don't think I would play for England. I'm not English.

[Red Army]

Ok girls there is plenty of threads in the Ireland section about who should and shouldn't playing for Ireland. Anyway back on topic I went along to the game last night my experience won't make me want to go back. Over priced tickets I think 15 or 20 euro would be about right. Don't normally go for food at half time but went to the game straight after work so had to folk out for overpriced muck. The ybig section or singing section must think they are supporting Celtic with all the songs they have robbed. Hard to tell but very little support from league of Ireland fans didn't see much flags jersey etc. Don't think I'll be back. Anyone else go?

[marinobohs]

Wow, that was fun. as I sat in the Aviva last night (sans leprechaun hat and inflatible hammer:rolleyes:) watching tumbleweed roll among the empty seats I got to thinking (dangerous territory) that perhaps the FAI may now HAVE to look at promoting attendance at live football and attempt to wean our "soccer loving public" off their TV football fixation.

John D, you know it makes sense :D

[harleyleeds]

as it happens I was born in England. And no, I don't think I would play for England. I'm not English.

Think I got ya now . Fair enough you beleive that someone brought up in a different country but by Irish parents would be Irish in feelings and his/her loyalty would be to Ireland over the country of their birth and upbringing ( I realise you were moved back to Ireland young, this is not you ). While I find that hard to beleive (I mean lots of them never set foot in Ireland till a match) I get where your coming from. Each to their own and I will only support home grown players which would be the answer to the original question but would always hope to hear they won no matter who.

[legendz]

Wow, that was fun. as I sat in the Aviva last night (sans leprechaun hat and inflatible hammer:rolleyes:) watching tumbleweed roll among the empty seats I got to thinking (dangerous territory) that perhaps the FAI may now HAVE to look at promoting attendance at live football and attempt to wean our "soccer loving public" off their TV football fixation.

John D, you know it makes sense :D

You're not far off the mark. There were qoute's from Trap in a different context that the country needs a strong league. Some have been saying that for a while.
Having 1 or 2 LoI players involved in Irish squads would raise their profiles and be good for them. Player's need to be playing professionally though for that to work. We don't want to reduce the standard of the team to something near that of Northern Ireland last night but if 1 or 2 LoI professional players had an involvement in that game, maybe more LoI supporters would go to the games. If the LoI has higher profile players, it's a help to get more support.

[DannyInvincible]

It's a view held within NI support that Worthington calls up Irish League players to increase their profile, provide a shop-window and potentially engineer a move for them to a superior standard league. Whether or not it's a way to run an international team, I'm not so convinced.

[Dodge]

It's a view held within NI support that Worthington calls up Irish League players to increase their profile, provide a shop-window and potentially engineer a move for them to a superior standard league.

Has it worked yet?

[DannyInvincible]

Has it worked yet?

Whether it helps engineer moves for certain NI players, I've no idea, unfortunately, as I really follow neither the fortunes of their team or the fortunes of particular individuals within it unless a realistic prospect of them declaring for the FAI has been touted. I wouldn't really imagine it does, however. That's just based on being unaware of any high-profile moves, but, admittedly, maybe that's due to personal ignorance as much as anything. I do know Peter Thompson, for example, was capped by NI whilst at Linfield between 2005 and 2008 and then made a "big-money" move to Stockport in 2008. Whether his international appearances contributed to Stockport's interest or whether it was solely down to his form in the Irish League, I don't know. In saying that, Stockport aren't exactly high flyers either by any stretch of the imagination. They were relegated from the English League Two just this season past after finishing last, although they were playing in League One when Thompson signed. As for Thompson himself, for what it's worth, he's back playing at Linfield again now.

I do understand, however, that Worthington isn't that popular a figure at the minute with his squad selections baffling many, so I'd imagine the consensus is that, whatever his policy or rationale is in selecting significant numbers of Irish League players, it isn't justified. Leaving Shane Ferguson out of recent senior squads, for example, whilst including Crusaders players and the like is something I know hasn't endeared him to those who thought he should have tied Ferguson down to the IFA long ago either.

[Macy]

Fair enough you beleive that someone brought up in a different country but by Irish parents would be Irish in feelings and his/her loyalty would be to Ireland over the country of their birth and upbringing ( I realise you were moved back to Ireland young, this is not you ). While I find that hard to beleive (I mean lots of them never set foot in Ireland till a match) I get where your coming from.
It's not a given, but lots of people born and brought up to Irish parents do consider themselves Irish, even if they've never lived here. I'm trying hard to give you the benefit of the doubt, but it's pretty insulting to those of us that are in that situation, especially given Irelands history of emigration.

[passinginterest]

Think I got ya now . Fair enough you beleive that someone brought up in a different country but by Irish parents would be Irish in feelings and his/her loyalty would be to Ireland over the country of their birth and upbringing ( I realise you were moved back to Ireland young, this is not you ). While I find that hard to beleive (I mean lots of them never set foot in Ireland till a match) I get where your coming from. Each to their own and I will only support home grown players which would be the answer to the original question but would always hope to hear they won no matter who.

Maybe you need to look at this from a different angle. Think about the thousands of Polish nationals that moved here during the building boom, many of them had children during this period, thousands of them then returned to Poland after the bust. The children that they had for the most part will have had at most a few years exposure to the country of their birth, and very little exposure to the culture as they are surrounded by Polish family who always intended to return to their homeland. By your rigid definition of nationlity those children, many of whom won't even remember ever living in Ireland, would only be eligible to play for Ireland. Do you see a problem yet?

[outspoken]

Ok girls there is plenty of threads in the Ireland section about who should and shouldn't playing for Ireland. Anyway back on topic I went along to the game last night my experience won't make me want to go back. Over priced tickets I think 15 or 20 euro would be about right. Don't normally go for food at half time but went to the game straight after work so had to folk out for overpriced muck. The ybig section or singing section
must think they are supporting Celtic with all the songs they have robbed. Hard to tell but very little support from league
of Ireland fans didn't see much flags jersey etc. Don't think I'll be back. Anyone else go?

I agree 30 euro was a bit steep, 15 or 20 would have been grand. I was lucky enough to get free premium level tickets and I would defo fork out for them in future it's a fantastic experience with fantastic view inside the private bar section and out at your padded seat.

On LOI fans I saw a few, I wore my Town hoody as always but I saw Rovers,Pats, Dundalk and a Wexford Youths fan

[Red Army]

Cant stand that sort of stuff myself. It's like going to the theater or something you're not really part of the game like supporters should be. Each to their own I guess

[harleyleeds]

Maybe you need to look at this from a different angle. Think about the thousands of Polish nationals that moved here during the building boom, many of them had children during this period, thousands of them then returned to Poland after the bust. The children that they had for the most part will have had at most a few years exposure to the country of their birth, and very little exposure to the culture as they are surrounded by Polish family who always intended to return to their homeland. By your rigid definition of nationlity those children, many of whom won't even remember ever living in Ireland, would only be eligible to play for Ireland. Do you see a problem yet?


I see your point for sure, my own son was born there and left after only two months and Ireland means very little to him (he is a New Yorker). There are always exceptions to any rule and I have no doubt that at least one of those Polish (Irish born) kids will be good enough to play for Ireland but not for Poland and will then decide better to play on world stage for Ireland than not at all. He would then play with all his heart to win . Of course there would be unfortunate cases (problems if u like). There are players born and bred in Ireland that would be in next line play for their country if foreigners were not allowed. I think its unfair on them. I also beleive that the number of situations such as the Poles you described would be miniscule in comparason to the number with an Irish grandparent for eligability.

[DannyInvincible]

The thing is that many of those hypothetical Poles you speak of potentially lining out for Ireland might not actually qualify for Irish nationality, thereby making them ineligible. As a consequence, under your criteria, they'd be prevented from playing international football altogether.

[harleyleeds]

The thing is that many of those hypothetical Poles you speak of potentially lining out for Ireland might not actually qualify for Irish nationality, thereby making them ineligible. As a consequence, under your criteria, they'd be prevented from playing international football altogether.

I only mentioned one possible Polish player(not many) .They were introduced earlier as a possible example(not by me). Why on earth would someone born in the country not be a citizen? (of course they are) . Why would they be prevented from playing international football altogether? Perhaps rules could say you had to have lived for a certain amount of years in the country then, or something. Under present rules someone who was born here in US who's parents were born here in the US and who had one of there parents (grandparent)born in Ireland is fine to play, never mind the fact that they never set foot in the country and it matters not to them other than a place on world stage. I dont feel that person is in any way Irish . El P was born in England but grew up in Ireland so I see his view (I would consider him more Irish than my son ) and so as I said perhaps a time living in country to be eligible would be fairer but the grandfather rule (there not Irish).

[DannyInvincible]

Has it worked yet?

There's a thread on this over on OWC at the minute posing the question of whether or not Irish League players are good enough to play internationally for NI and every single response so far has been a pretty resounding "no". The thread starter does mention the "shop window" concept, but points out that this has also been a failure, by and large, for the players it's intended to benefit.


Playing Irish League players is meant to put them in the shop window but why then is Michael Gault still playing in the league 3 years after his international debut. Including Colin Coates, Chris Casement, Robert Garrett etc who still remain in the league.


James McClean of Derry City has been mentioned as one of the few players playing locally deserving of a call-up, whilst another poster states that, out of all the locally-playing players called up in recent years, only Niall McGinn ever looked up to the standard expected when still playing with Derry.

[DannyInvincible]

Why on earth would someone born in the country not be a citizen? (of course they are) . Why would they be prevented from playing international football altogether?

There's more to citizenship than simply being born in a particular jurisdiction. Irish nationality law, for example, generally entitles only those with Irish parents to Irish citizenship. The child of Polish immigrants born in Ireland won't be automatically conferred Irish citizenship by virtue of his or her birth here; the parents will have to have already been naturalised citizens or satisfy some other residency criteria for the child to be considered an Irish citizen. Obviously not all Poles who would have moved to Ireland temporarily and had children whilst here will satisfy those criteria.

If a player doesn't possess permanent Irish nationality then he can't play for Ireland. If that same player wasn't born in the country of his legal nationality, he'd be denied the opportunity to play for that country under your peculiarly stringent criteria.

[harleyleeds]

There's more to citizenship than simply being born in a particular jurisdiction. Irish nationality law, for example, generally entitles only those with Irish parents to Irish citizenship. The child of Polish immigrants born in Ireland won't be automatically conferred Irish citizenship by virtue of his or her birth here; the parents will have to have already been naturalised citizens or satisfy some other residency criteria for the child to be considered an Irish citizen. Obviously not all Poles who would have moved to Ireland temporarily and had children whilst here will satisfy those criteria.

If a player doesn't possess permanent Irish nationality then he can't play for Ireland. If that same player wasn't born in the country of his legal nationality, he'd be denied the opportunity to play for that country under your peculiarly stringent criteria.

You know your just trying to invent situations. Yes they are entitled to citizinship after 18 years old. Theres nothing peculiar about it. Why harp on about the one situation i.e the Pole? Read the rest of the post it said perhaps it would be fairer for a time in country. You accept that someone who has never even seen your country is to be cheered on before a lad born and bred there and I disagree .THATS NOT PECULIAR.
Time to end this silly debate you continue to accept foreigners and I will not . I really dont care about the Irish national team anyways club football is much more important.

[DannyInvincible]

You know your just trying to invent situations. Yes they are entitled to citizinship after 18 years old. Theres nothing peculiar about it. Why harp on about the one situation i.e the Pole? Read the rest of the post it said perhaps it would be fairer for a time in country. You accept that someone who has never even seen your country is to be cheered on before a lad born and bred there and I disagree .THATS NOT PECULIAR.
Time to end this silly debate you continue to accept foreigners and I will not . I really dont care about the Irish national team anyways club football is much more important.

Well, it was actually you who introduced the hypothetical Pole(s). I was just taking your idea to its logical conclusion and pointing out what repercussions your stance might have on him/them; indeed invented, but entirely plausible all the same. It doesn't matter if there is one or dozens; the principle still remains the same regardless. These are the types of hypothetical scenarios you have to try to foresee and envisage before you'd introduce such crude and inflexible regulations as the approach you've been espousing. But it's good to see that you've begun to see the stringency of your ways and have at least suggested something a little bit more sensible with the "fulfilling 'X' years as resident" suggestion.

Who is entitled to citizenship after 18-years-old? Irish nationality law is outlined here pretty succinctly: http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/moving_country/irish_citizenship/

Excuse me for interpreting your expression of an opinion on a public forum as an invitation to debate; I must have been mistaken... And no need for the sour grapes.

[harleyleeds]

Well, it was actually you who introduced the hypothetical Pole(s). I was just taking your idea to its logical conclusion and pointing out what repercussions your stance might have on him/them; indeed invented, but entirely plausible all the same. It doesn't matter if there is one or dozens; the principle still remains the same regardless. These are the types of hypothetical scenarios you have to try to foresee and envisage before you'd introduce such crude and inflexible regulations as the approach you've been espousing. But it's good to see that you've begun to see the stringency of your ways and have at least suggested something a little bit more sensible with the "fulfilling 'X' years as resident" suggestion.

Who is entitled to citizenship after 18-years-old? Irish nationality law is outlined here pretty succinctly: http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/moving_country/irish_citizenship/

Excuse me for interpreting your expression of an opinion on a public forum as an invitation to debate; I must have been mistaken... And no need for the sour grapes.

Dear oh dear . Ok ..... A child born in the island of Ireland on or after 1 January 2005 is entitled to Irish citizenship if they have a British parent or a parent who is entitled to live in Northern Ireland or the Irish State without restriction on their residency. That would be EU I would think.

Regardless this was by passinginterest .....

Maybe you need to look at this from a different angle. Think about the thousands of Polish nationals that moved here during the building boom, many of them had children during this period, thousands of them then returned to Poland after the bust. The children that they had for the most part will have had at most a few years exposure to the country of their birth, and very little exposure to the culture as they are surrounded by Polish family who always intended to return to their homeland. By your rigid definition of nationlity those children, many of whom won't even remember ever living in Ireland, would only be eligible to play for Ireland. Do you see a problem yet?



But it's good to see that you've begun to see the stringency of your ways and have at least suggested something a little bit more sensible with the "fulfilling 'X' years as resident" suggestion

Couldnt just say "fair point" eh.



I meant this debate was getting silly cos debate means two viewpoints and you only accept one , yours.

[DannyInvincible]

It seems I was a bit presumptious. You're correct to point that out; something I'd missed. The children of EU nationals born here would be entitled to Irish citizenship, it appears. I'm not sure whether its status would be automatically conferred or whether they'd have to apply for it, mind. In saying that, I could bring non-EU nationals into the equation and, if I'm not mistaken, the original point would stand, but I'm content to leave it at that. I'm in less argumentative mood. :p

[mypost]

You accept that someone who has never even seen your country is to be cheered on before a lad born and bred there and I disagree .THATS NOT PECULIAR.
Time to end this silly debate you continue to accept foreigners and I will not . I really dont care about the Irish national team anyways club football is much more important.

Why is club football "more important"?

In club football, they use the same systems, in fact their use is even worse than the international game. If a foreigner signs for a club, then in many cases, he's taking the place of a local in the club's academy/youth team, who then is deprived the chance to play for his local club. Do you object to that as well, or does it not matter because club football is considered "more important"?

Parochialism is for other sports, but football is a global one, where any player can play for Ireland, wherever he's born or based in the world if a) he is better than what we have and b) meets the qualifying criteria at the time. That means he is as Irish as those of us brought up here. As such, I have no problem with him lining out and representing our country.

[bullit]

MYPOST.
Stick up a vote and lets sort this out !! :cool:

[legendz]

I'm not sure who made the point recently but the point was made that the FAI might be paying the price a bit for the fact people aren't too accustomed to going to live games. It's a fair point in some respects.

[BonnieShels]

I'm not sure who made the point recently but the point was made that the FAI might be paying the price a bit for the fact people aren't too accustomed to going to live games. It's a fair point in some respects.

As is the LOI. There are so many people out there who've never been to a live game probably in any sport.

[legendz]

As is the LOI. There are so many people out there who've never been to a live game probably in any sport.

I think you'd find the majority of GAA and rugby supporters have been to live games, be it county, province or country. I don't think the same can be said of association football.

[peadar1987]

I've said this many times, but the Carling Nations Cup is a fledgling tournament, and needs big attendances in the first few runnings to get it off the ground. That means dirt cheap tickets, like for the FAI Cup final, a few full houses, and a great atmosphere. The FAI's money-grabbing myopia could well have doomed the future of this tournament before it's even had a chance to get established.

On the subject of elegibility, it's perfectly possible to feel affinity for more than one country. I am half Irish, half English, Ireland would always be my first choice, but if I was ever selected to play for England, I would do so with pride and committment. My girlfriend is Dutch, but grew up in Scotland. You'd be hard pushed to find a more committed Scotland rugby supporter, even though she's Netherlands through and through when it comes to hockey or football. National identity is an immensely complicated issue, and you can't condense it down to something as facile as "Only Irish born people can ever be Irish".

[marinobohs]

As is the LOI. There are so many people out there who've never been to a live game probably in any sport.

Mentioned it earlier, but I do believe we have "developed" a generation of fans that automatically assosiate watching football with TV / SKY and that chickens are coming home to roost in the new Aviva - right at the worst possible time for the FAI. Given the more difficult economic climate less fans are actually attending games. My own view is that this commenced during the Charlton era when there was difficulty getting tickets - many fans go tinto the habit of watching the games in the local (I remember being asked "where are you watching the game ?" and been met with a startled expression when I said Lansdowne Rd :confused: ) from my own experience I know going to both club and Ireland games since a young age meant going to a game is my "default" mode but can easily see how the opposite would set in (with pub as primary/main vantage point)

The deterioration of crowds suffered by the LOI in recent decades maybe now decending on the FAI. Funnily enough. the same excuses - crap standard, poorcompetition, too expensive etc - that we have heard for years about LOI are now trotted out to "explain" non attendance at Ireland games.

[BonnieShels]

I've said this many times, but the Carling Nations Cup is a fledgling tournament, and needs big attendances in the first few runnings to get it off the ground. That means dirt cheap tickets, like for the FAI Cup final, a few full houses, and a great atmosphere. The FAI's money-grabbing myopia could well have doomed the future of this tournament before it's even had a chance to get established.

On the subject of elegibility, it's perfectly possible to feel affinity for more than one country. I am half Irish, half English, Ireland would always be my first choice, but if I was ever selected to play for England, I would do so with pride and committment. My girlfriend is Dutch, but grew up in Scotland. You'd be hard pushed to find a more committed Scotland rugby supporter, even though she's Netherlands through and through when it comes to hockey or football. National identity is an immensely complicated issue, and you can't condense it down to something as facile as "Only Irish born people can ever be Irish".

Your poor kids are gonna have awful trouble during the six nations.

Why doesn't anybody ever think of the sex cauldron!

[BonnieShels]

Mentioned it earlier, but I do believe we have "developed" a generation of fans that automatically assosiate watching football with TV / SKY and that chickens are coming home to roost in the new Aviva - right at the worst possible time for the FAI. Given the more difficult economic climate less fans are actually attending games. My own view is that this commenced during the Charlton era when there was difficulty getting tickets - many fans go tinto the habit of watching the games in the local (I remember being asked "where are you watching the game ?" and been met with a startled expression when I said Lansdowne Rd :confused: ) from my own experience I know going to both club and Ireland games since a young age meant going to a game is my "default" mode but can easily see how the opposite would set in (with pub as primary/main vantage point)

The deterioration of crowds suffered by the LOI in recent decades maybe now decending on the FAI. Funnily enough. the same excuses - crap standard, poorcompetition, too expensive etc - that we have heard for years about LOI are now trotted out to "explain" non attendance at Ireland games.

Spot on. As I said over on the Scotland match thread I've never seen people make there way to a stadium only to walk away despite it not being sold out. I don't think we square all the blame with the FAI for one as the other 3 associations were complicit in it. However the FAI should have the knowledge and idea of what the match going public are expecting. That they had so many empty seats at all these games shows that they all think we are living in a pre recession wonderland.

I had a few conversations about how the national team is perceived now and really no one knows or cares. Even today at the back of the metro the headline was about united and barca despite the picture being of Robbie and co.

I feel like a con if I can't make it to a Shels, Dublin or Ireland game. That's my default setting. I just don't think I can understand it being any other way.

Maybe this attitude if Irish "fans"will change come a tournament qualification. We can only want and see.

[harleyleeds]

I've said this many times, but the Carling Nations Cup is a fledgling tournament, and needs big attendances in the first few runnings to get it off the ground. That means dirt cheap tickets, like for the FAI Cup final, a few full houses, and a great atmosphere. The FAI's money-grabbing myopia could well have doomed the future of this tournament before it's even had a chance to get established.

On the subject of elegibility, it's perfectly possible to feel affinity for more than one country. I am half Irish, half English, Ireland would always be my first choice, but if I was ever selected to play for England, I would do so with pride and committment. My girlfriend is Dutch, but grew up in Scotland. You'd be hard pushed to find a more committed Scotland rugby supporter, even though she's Netherlands through and through when it comes to hockey or football. National identity is an immensely complicated issue, and you can't condense it down to something as facile as "Only Irish born people can ever be Irish".

too right my kid is half Irish,half English and half American.

[marinobohs]

too right my kid is half Irish,half English and half American.

Thats one and a half HL. Hope this does not mean he/she is only half there :D

[nigel-harps1954]

too right my kid is half Irish,half English and half American.

Now...my math isn't the best but....something doesn't fit there.

[harleyleeds]

Thats one and a half HL. Hope this does not mean he/she is only half there :D

on the contrary he has an extra half to spare, init great.

[harleyleeds]

Now...my math isn't the best but....something doesn't fit there.

sure it does ...joke fits right there,no not there.........yes there. Come to think of it I think he's half Donegal as well........or is it Leitrim.....hmmmm. Well something like that.

[nr637]

sure it does ...joke fits right there,no not there.........yes there. Come to think of it I think he's half Donegal as well........or is it Leitrim.....hmmmm. Well something like that.

How much do part-time players earn om average at Premier & Fist Division clubs?
Any ideas?

[harleyleeds]

Charlie did you have a late night? Bit slow today?

Thats one and a half HL. Hope this does not mean he/she is only half there http://foot.ie/threads/images/smilies/biggrin.gifthis was earlier from the Marino.

[Charlie Darwin]

I always get done by the page turn.

[harleyleeds]

I always get done by the page turn.


Damn those pesky page turns.

[DannyInvincible]

too right my kid is half Irish,half English and half American.

Ah, so you're one of those parents they talk about when they say that, according to the stats, parents are having 1.5 kids these days?

Edit: Argh, caught out by the new page as well. :(

[harleyleeds]

Ah, so you're one of those parents they talk about when they say that, according to the stats, parents are having 1.5 kids these days?

Edit: Argh, caught out by the new page as well. :(

You know your right and that always confused me until now. Thought it was the bloomin govt screwing with me head again but seems they were correct all the time. Wonder if I can get 1.5 times children allowance. You know if that works out alot of Americans will make a lot of dosh as most will tell you they are at least 3 halfs if not even more. never mind, if they dont have citizenship they cant claim.......uh oh wait a minute , grandparents again . only joking obviously.