Celtic - Ireland?

[Knoert]

Celtic-Ireland clash on the cards

October 26, 2004

Speculation is growing that Brian Kerr’s Republic of Ireland side will be invited to take on Scottish Premier League side, and quasi-Irish club, Celtic in a money-spinning testimonial for defender Jackie McNamara at Parkhead next year.

Celtic have a massive fanbase from around Ireland and among the Irish diaspora worldwide, inspiring thousands to make the journey to Celtic Park from the Emerald Isle every fortnight.

They sold out a series of games in the United States for the past two summers, primarily because of their links with Ireland.

The game is being mooted as a testimonial for veteran defender McNamara, who has spent the past nine years at Parkhead, making more than 250 appearances for the Bhoys. He is currently captain of Martin O’Neill’s side.

Just read this on another forum but couldn't find it already here... anyone knows a bit more?

Should be very nice for McNamara, and a great match for the fans ofcourse ;)!

[thejollyrodger]

I wonder who represent ireland, cant see RMK doing it for a start

[Plastic Paddy]

Young Miller will get a hot reception. I bet he's "injured" if this game goes ahead. Come to think of it, RMK and JOS will no doubt carry knocks too.

:rolleyes: PP

[green goblin]

I wonder who represent ireland, cant see RMK doing it for a start

hey hey, Zat Knight, come on down! :p

[The Legend]

I think its a disgrace if the irish national team take part in this...

What the hell is a national team doing playing a club side... and especially if the testamonial is for someone who isnt even irish! :mad:

[Superhoops]

I think its a disgrace if the irish national team take part in this...

What the hell is a national team doing playing a club side... and especially if the testamonial is for someone who isnt even irish! :mad:
Spot On - Great shout! There are far more deserving causes who we should be helping before getting involved in this sh*te.

David Langan for one, a great servant to Ireland who suffered a horrific football injury and for several years has had difficulty walking. He is now living on state assistance. What about us playing Birmingham City, with Kenny C. as captain and Clinton up front.

We should get our priorities right and look after our own instead of lining the pockets of some ordinary Scottish player who has no connection with Ireland. :mad: :mad:

[Plastic Paddy]

We should get our priorities right and look after our own instead of lining the pockets of some ordinary Scottish player who has no connection with Ireland. :mad: :mad:

Yawn... :rolleyes:

Would the last person to read this post please turn out the lights.

:rolleyes: PP

[thejollyrodger]

Kerr should put out a B type team then. There is no point in picking up injuries etc for a meaningless friendly. Kerr can look at a few options.;)

[Plastic Paddy]

Kerr should put out a B type team then. There is no point in picking up injuries etc for a meaningless friendly. Kerr can look at a few options.;)

I have no arguments with that. It's been mentioned elsewhere and seems sensible enough.

:) PP

[GalwayFrancis]

I think its a very good idea accually, sure ireland played sunderland for a charity match... why shouldnt ireland play celtic... we have alot in common, when is it on?

[Superhoops]

The same happened with Packie Bonnar.....I was there....good stuff!
Dav,

Seem to remember P.Bonner of Celtic being from Donegal and playing a few games for ROI! For his testimonial at Celtic, there was some logic in ROI being the opponents.

Still can't fathom out why ROI should be taking part in testimonial for the benefit of someone who has no Irish connections and who played for Scotland. Surely, a Scotland XI would be more suitable? Surely, real Celtic fans would turn up en masse regardless of who the opponents were!

Take off your Celtic hat for a moment and imagine if Rangers invited ROI as opponents at a testimonial for some Jock player with no Irish connections. I know it would never happen but if it did would you be supportive if ROI took part?

What about if Man U. invited ROI as opponents at a testimonial for say, Gary Neville? Would you be OK with this?

No? neither would I!

[Closed Account 2]

I dont have a major problem with it so long as :-

A) We dont risk key players esp. if there is an important qualifier coming up.

B) Linked to the above, its not during "international weekend" (ie one of the ones FIFA set aside).

If its done say over the summer, and BK uses it to test out squad players rather than risk the big players then I dont see there being a problem. (I'm not saying play the u-21s but I am saying rest the key players and play players who are good but dont get much international practice eg Kenny, Harte, Kavanagh). In other words if its like the match v Jamacia at Charlton then its fine.

On another note, we've got the Croatians and Portuguese lined up either side of new year. I presume there will be more friendlies later on in the season, any idea who the opposition will be ? I'd love it if we played the Germans or Italians in a friendly as its been a while since we've played either at home or away.

[tetsujin1979]

I think I heard Italy were being lined up for the November friendly, but they had a prior agreement with someone for that date.

[Irishgael]

Spot On - Great shout! There are far more deserving causes who we should be helping before getting involved in this sh*te.

Niall Quinn's testimonial was against Sunderland and he made over £1,000,000 which he gave to charity, had you a problem with that match ?

[lopez]

David Langan should get a testimonial before Jackie who? It's about time that either Birmingham, Derby or Oxford got together with the FAI and helped this bloke out.

I'm all up for a Celtic - Ireland game (or any other visit of the boys on this island I live on) with the proceeds going to a decent cause - in the case of Celtic or Hibernians, what about asylum seekers of Scotland? Would seem appropriate and sufficiently irritating to the establishment, but not to some pampered, overpaid footballer. Those with their 'Celtic hats' might think he's worth it, but I personally couldn't give a f*ck for him.

BTW, Ireland played a testimonial at West Ham for Tony Gayle (no Irish connection) in 1994 and the only time they visited Old Trafford for a testimonial was for Matt Busby in August 1991.

[Superhoops]

Niall Quinn's testimonial was against Sunderland and he made over £1,000,000 which he gave to charity, had you a problem with that match ?
Absolutely none, I attended that game.

However, there are two major differences between the Sunderland game and this game against Celtic:
1) Niall Quinn is Irish and was a member of the Irish squad at the time. McNamara has no Irish connection
2) Niall Quinn donated the entire proceeds of the Sunderland game to charities in Ireland and in the Sunderland area. If McNamara were to do the same, then it would be worthwhile for that purpose alone. Somehow, I doubt this would be the case, otherwise the game could be promoted as a 'charity match' without any association to a Jackie McNamara benefit game.

[Superhoops]

David Langan should get a testimonial before Jackie who? It's about time that either Birmingham, Derby or Oxford got together with the FAI and helped this bloke out.

Good shout amigo, exactly the point I made earlier!

[lopez]

Incidentally,Messrs.Busby & Gale :confused:,had no direct association with Ireland.....didn't seem to provoke the 'outrage',this game may,allegedly,contend?!Prob not, but this website wasn't around then. Dunno about Gayle (the vast majority at the game were hammers fans) but I'd never pass up the opportunity to see an Irish side in London. However Busby definitely came from the £10 max a week era. I didn't begrudge him a penny of my money.

Anyone with the ear of Rooney and the other clowns, should perhaps put the word out about Langan. Brum game would definately bring in some money. He is the one bloke who stands out as needing some kind of assistance. Didn't he end up in some sort of menial job as a cleaner, FFS? Perhaps the Boston Celtics Jacket could have a word with Brian?

[Bondvillain]

So If McNamara requests Ireland for what will presumably be partially a charity game at least, are we to expect that Kerr should refuse because the player in question isn't Irish enough?

Whilst not being a Celtic fan, I would think that one doesn't have to be to appreciate that under the current circumstances, (with the fickleness of football fans the same the world over) Ireland would be a more lucrative draw for Celtic than the Scottish National team.
(Sadly, a San Marino over 45's XI would no doubt be a more lucrative draw than The Scottish team at the mo, but thats another story..)

It seems, therefore, it would stand to reason that players from ANY team, Celtic, West Ham, Man U, Barry Town, wherever, would sometimes bypass the obvious to request the biggest potential draw for their day in the sun.

If it suits Kerr & Ireland to pay tribute to another servant of international football, then so be it. Perhaps a gesture such as this would jar the memory of those closer to home who haven't recognised deserving cases..

If agreeable, he should, (as has been mentioned above) already be preparing it as a both a blooding ground for the young, and a carrot on a stick for the rusty & out of favour, (not to mention that whole warm fuzzy Sesame Street feeling he'll get from giving up his time to help out another....)

And if McNamara's request should be refused?
I would just hope it would be for less uncharitable reasons than his place of birth.

[1MickCollins]

I think its a very good idea accually, sure ireland played sunderland for a charity match... why shouldnt ireland play celtic... we have alot in common, when is it on?

If the proceeds go to charity then it is a good thing, I don't think Jackie needs the cash. In fact if he does take the money it would be pretty disgusting.

[sylvo]

Prob not, but this website wasn't around then. Dunno about Gayle (the vast majority at the game were hammers fans) but I'd never pass up the opportunity to see an Irish side in London. However Busby definitely came from the £10 max a week era. I didn't begrudge him a penny of my money.

Anyone with the ear of Rooney and the other clowns, should perhaps put the word out about Langan. Brum game would definately bring in some money. He is the one bloke who stands out as needing some kind of assistance. Didn't he end up in some sort of menial job as a cleaner, FFS? Perhaps the Boston Celtics Jacket could have a word with Brian?


Dave Langan the last I heard had gave up his job at Peterbourgh town hall were if I think he was the caretaker, and as far as I know he is now registerd disabled.
I agree that someone like this who done so much in the green shirt in the days before big contracts and wages deserves more of a testamonial from the Ireland team then Jackie Mac.
Maybe even a thread on here and a petiton that can be handed to the FAI might be of some use in getting the FAI to look at player who worn the green shirt and sadly had his days in football cut short through a serious injury.

[PaulB]

David Langan should get a testimonial before Jackie who? It's about time that either Birmingham, Derby or Oxford got together with the FAI and helped this bloke out.

I'm all up for a Celtic - Ireland game (or any other visit of the boys on this island I live on) with the proceeds going to a decent cause - in the case of Celtic or Hibernians, what about asylum seekers of Scotland? Would seem appropriate and sufficiently irritating to the establishment, but not to some pampered, overpaid footballer. Those with their 'Celtic hats' might think he's worth it, but I personally couldn't give a f*ck for him.

BTW, Ireland played a testimonial at West Ham for Tony Gayle (no Irish connection) in 1994 and the only time they visited Old Trafford for a testimonial was for Matt Busby in August 1991.

Spot on, we need to look after our own, dave langan ran his heart out on the right wing for Ireland, he got the injury that ended his career playing for Ireland, I think he's abit more deserving of somethign like this.

The retired players association have a fund which helps players like Langan etc, think its run by Liam Touhy. They're holding a do of sorts in the burlington shortly, 1500 Euro for a tbale of 10, the 'wonderful' big niall is doing compare..

[gspain]

Davy Langan is a legend and definitely deserves a testimonial. He offered to forego a weeks wages so he could go and play for Ireland and also did his knee in an Irish game which has caused him all these problems.

We actually have played Celtic before for Packie's testimonial in 1991.

I don't think these games are appropriate for a antional team althoguh Brian Kerr could bring a Rep of Ireland XI. However it would ahve to be for charity and not to line the pockets of a well paid modern footballer.

[barglee]

the whole idea of testimonials is ridiculous . these players are on massive salarys and shouldnt need this extra windfall, Its players such as Langan who should be given testimonials and not those being paid thousands per week.Or what about Richie Sadlier who had to retire early......

I've no problem with Jackie McNamara and if he wants to play Ireland thats fair enough but i think most of the money should be donated to a charity of his choice or something.....
Or is there a charity for footballers who have to retire early....

Also i think Ireland should not play if its an international date as these as scarce enough and should be used for proper international friendlies...

[stickyjoe]

testimonials should only be granted for players who have suffered hardships or career shortened injuries like davie langan or in england a couple of years back man u and coventry had one for dave busst.

ireland will only play this testimonial if all money is donated to charity or if they are getting a serious wedge of cash from jackie mcnamaras testimonial fund. just like celtic do when they go down south to play in them

as for me, i hope it goes ahead. i like the idea of a couple of nights in glasgow on the sauce ;) although i`m sure this trip would bring out elements of our support like in paris that we could do without :confused:

[Duncan Gardner]

I can't see the problem with you lot playing Celtic. Presumably Jackie Mc has asked for the game and I'd guess he would arrange a charity deal. He doesn't need a 'testimonial' i nthe old-fashioned sense.

I don't know the Dave Langan case but would be surprised if he didn't receive help from the PFA. They have been active in this area for years now, certainly during his career.

Dav wouldn't go to Rangers-RoI on principle? Aye, right :D

[green goblin]

the Celtic & many Irish fans would rightly treat this as one big party! :cool: )

Bring it on, can't wait! :cool: :D

[liam88]

I'm looking foward to this-it's going to be one big party (as has been said!) with many off us not minding who wins (just like vs. Shamrock a few years back) :D
Will be a great game and a great atmosphere like every other time Celtic have played Erin :D
Ok so blonde Jackie isn't Irish-but Celitc are and it's Celtic who his service has been to!
Why would RMK be so apt for missing this game?
I'd like to see McGeady play a half for each ;) :D

[thejollyrodger]

Here is the team I would put forward : -

__________________Colgan_____________________

Clive Clarke____Stephen Kelly___Thompson____Maybury

Reid__________Miller________Delap________Lee Carsley

_______________Elliot______Barrett________________


None of the above are on the first team
It may not be everyones best position, since I dont know the players that well. Its just an idea. Any thoughts?

[resovoirdub]

I think its a disgrace if the irish national team take part in this...

What the hell is a national team doing playing a club side... and especially if the testamonial is for someone who isnt even irish! :mad:

OK Jackie's not Irish, but Celtic are a club with a proud and strong Irish heritage. Maybe this game can show the world what "Irishness" means and is. I think it will be a fantastic celebration of Irish people form all corneres of the world and generations coming together.

[Donal81]

Celtic are a Scottish team full of Scottish players. They do nothing for Ireland whatsoever and as far as I can see have done little to help the bullsh*t sectarianism in that city. If you want to support an Irish team, support Shels, Pats, Bohs, etc. I don't support an EL team but I don't go around talking rubbish about how Irish Celtic are. I'm not denying the connection but how come people don't talk the same about Hibernian? I don't support Celtic because I've never felt any affinity with the club whatsoever and I don't see why I should. If Jackie McNamara wants to play Ireland in a testimonial, let him as long as he gives it to charity. Otherwise, he can take a hike.

[Superhoops]

There are far more deserving causes who we should be helping before getting involved in this sh*te........David Langan for one, a great servant to Ireland who suffered a horrific football injury and for several years has had difficulty walking. He is now living on state assistance........We should get our priorities right and look after our own instead of lining the pockets of some ordinary Scottish player who has no connection with Ireland.


Yawn... :rolleyes:
Would the last person to read this post please turn out the lights.
:rolleyes: PP
PP - Funny how others agree about Dave Langan, perhaps you never heard of him or don't remember him!

[Plastic Paddy]

There are far more deserving causes who we should be helping before getting involved in this sh*te........David Langan for one, a great servant to Ireland who suffered a horrific football injury and for several years has had difficulty walking. He is now living on state assistance........We should get our priorities right and look after our own instead of lining the pockets of some ordinary Scottish player who has no connection with Ireland.


PP - Funny how others agree about Dave Langan, perhaps you never heard of him or don't remember him!

I now see the exact point you're making. I'm afraid I didn't read your post properly the first time round and took it to be just another anti-Celtic dig. Sorry. :o

I do remember Dave Langan, although my memories are more based on him in a Derby County shirt. A quality defender as I recall, although I am just too young to tell you more. And I agree with the point entirely, but as ever, it's not what the fans want that decide these things. I like the idea mooted hereabouts on a petition to the FAI. Perhaps some sort of online working group could be developed to take this forward? Any ideas?

:D PP

[Steviewonder]

There are far more deserving causes who we should be helping before getting involved in this sh*te........David Langan for one, a great servant to Ireland who suffered a horrific football injury and for several years has had difficulty walking. He is now living on state assistance........We should get our priorities right and look after our own instead of lining the pockets of some ordinary Scottish player who has no connection with Ireland.


PP - Funny how others agree about Dave Langan, perhaps you never heard of him or don't remember him!

Right, fair enuff Hoops, but I think your points have been fairly solidly dealt with in several of the previous posts. (and i think we can be fairly sure that PP knows who Dave Langan is. Just like you do. well done. Good man. A Know your sport umbrella on its way to the hoopster..)

Despite that this was a Celtic/Ireland thread, we seem to be on a Dave Langan thang here, and no better a thang to be on. Why dont we, as Davros said, start a petition to get the man a testamonial, which is the very least he deserves, and stop being so insular & whingy?

(P.S., on the petition, shouldnt it be CC'd to his former employers in the league as well? just a thought...)

[Superhoops]

I now see the exact point you're making. I'm afraid I didn't read your post properly the first time round and took it to be just another anti-Celtic dig. Sorry. :o

I do remember Dave Langan, although my memories are more based on him in a Derby County shirt. A quality defender as I recall, although I am just too young to tell you more. And I agree with the point entirely, but as ever, it's not what the fans want that decide these things. I like the idea mooted hereabouts on a petition to the FAI. Perhaps some sort of online working group could be developed to take this forward? Any ideas?

:D PP
PP, Fair play - accepted as misunderstanding! :)

[Superhoops]

A Know your sport umbrella on its way to the hoopster..)
Thanks for the award, I will cherish it forever!

[Junior]

The retired players association have a fund which helps players like Langan etc, think its run by Liam Touhy. They're holding a do of sorts in the burlington shortly, 1500 Euro for a tbale of 10, the 'wonderful' big niall is doing compare..


Anyone else got any info on this. Would be quite interested in going (depending on date).

Perhaps FOOT.ie could get a table if there were various individual posters interested in going?

[Donal81]

OK,name them?As for Ireland,Celtic have 3-4 shops which employ staff & sell as much,if not more merchandise,than the FAI,which runs to little more than shirts if you're lucky. This should be a'joint' game,as long as the souvenir programme is compulsory & explains to :rolleyes: the jokers on here,er,the links between Ireland & Celtic! :cool:

You're being pedantic about the Scottish players, you know what I mean, they're a Scottish team as much as Arsenal are an English team. Their first team may be full of other nationalities but I'm sure their youth system is almost entirely Scottish. I know the history between the two entities more than you may think but I just don't see how Celtic can be called an Irish team. As for the shops, I suppose Celtic run those shops out of nostalgia for the aul sod, other than a purely commercial enterprise paying seven quid an hour? They couldn't just run them to make money out of us, could they? An 'Irish' club would never do that, of course. How about the sectarianism that comes with the club? Years ago, I attended Ireland XI vs Celtic for, I think, Packie Bonner's testimonial. A sizeable element of the Celtic crowd started chanting, "The I, the I, the IRA." This went on for a while. You seem to have ignored this part of my post as most Irish supporters of Celtic seem to.

[harps1954]

Ok so blonde Jackie isn't Irish-but Celitc are and it's Celtic who his service has been to!


Since when were Celtic Irish?

I don't ever remember them playing in the League of Ireland!
I don't ever remember them playing a home game in Ireland!
I have always heard them referred to as "Scottish" or "British" though!
Weren't Celtic the first British team to win the European Cup! - never remember Celtic as the first Irish team winning the European Cup.

How would you feel if Scotland came to Ireland to play in a testimonial game for an eircom League player, who was born and bred in Ireland and played all his football on this island!

I wish people would shut up about this "Celtic are Irish" crap. Granted, they do have links to Ireland but that's about that. Other clubs like Hibs, Man United, etc. have links to Ireland but I have never heard of them been called 'Irish" teams.

[green goblin]

Look, I'm sure it's been mentioned on this site many, many times before, but basically it's a grand old team to play for, and it's a grand old team to see. And if you know your history, it's enough to make your heart go oooooooohhhh.... In essence therefore, all we know is there's going to be a show and that Glasgow Celtic will be there. :)
Cheer up and just enjoy it. If it happens at all, it'll be utterly hilarious. Can't wait.

[NY Hoop]

Agree entirely with Dave Langan getting some sort of game. Was at his testimonial dinner in ballyfermot in June 2000. Only £20 in but was shocked at his condition. Paul McGrath was there as was Brian Kerr.

In fairness to mcnamara he knows if they played us he would be onto a financial winner. Knowing the FAI they will sanction it. Dont forget blazers love free trips. Now may not be the right time to approach the FAI about this. You might get stabbed in the back :D

But what do we know? We're all ignorant jokers according to our patronising "friend" davros........

KOH

[Superhoops]

[QUOTE=green goblin]And if you know your history........QUOTE]
You will know that the real Irish club in Scotland is Hibernian who 'were founded by Irish football enthusiasts in 1875 and given the name Hibernian, the Roman name for Ireland' Along come Celtic in 1888 founded by a Brother of the Marist order who, according to Celtic's own history was inspired by the example of Edinburgh's Hibernian football club' Again according to Celtic's own history the name Celtic was chosen to reflect both its Irish and Scottish roots

[green goblin]

[QUOTE=green goblin]And if you know your history........QUOTE]
You will know that the real Irish club in Scotland is Hibernian who 'were founded by Irish football enthusiasts in 1875 and given the name Hibernian, the Roman name for Ireland' Along come Celtic in 1888 founded by a Brother of the Marist order who, according to Celtic's own history was inspired by the example of Edinburgh's Hibernian football club' Again according to Celtic's own history the name Celtic was chosen to reflect both its Irish and Scottish roots

Oh dear, we've gone over this so many times.

And I in turn refer back to my use of the :) smilie. :)
And I also refer back to my quote about cheering up and just enjoying it, due it's obvious potential for hilarity.

[Superhoops]

Oh dear, we've gone over this so many times.

GG, You are right, it is irritating, it is also true! - so let's not mention it again.

[Pat O' Banton]

I can't believe that I am being the voice of moral authority about this but, please read the Pro/anti Celtic thread before you post on the subject and only put something up if you have something new to say, this could have been an interesting thread regarding the rights and wrongs of testimonials, the treatment of players in general who have to retire from the game etc. but what happens; Celtic aren't Irish -yes they are, ad nausim. Theres almost fifty pages devouted to this elsewhere

[Junior]

The retired players association have a fund which helps players like Langan etc, think its run by Liam Touhy. They're holding a do of sorts in the burlington shortly, 1500 Euro for a tbale of 10, the 'wonderful' big niall is doing compare..




Anyone else got any info on this. Would be quite interested in going (depending on date).

Perhaps FOOT.ie could get a table if there were various individual posters interested in going?


Anyone?????????????????????????

[Plastic Paddy]

Here you go Junior.

:) PP

---

Tuohy, Lawlor launch retirees fundraiser (source: eleven-a-side.com)


October 27, 2004

Liam Tuohy, the former Irish international player and manager, and Mick Lawlor, who won five caps in the early 1970s, have pleaded for support from Irish soccer fans ahead of a fundraising dinner for the Retired International Players’ Trust at Dublin’s Berkeley Court Hotel in November.

Former Irish international Niall Quinn will be the guest speaker on the night, while comedian Barry Murphy, of Apres Match fame, will also be present.

The FAI Retired International Players Trust was founded in 1995 to help former players who have found themselves in financial trouble in their retirement.

The dinner will take place at the Berkeley Court on November 22nd, with a table for 10 costing Eur1500.

More details are available from the FAI’s Emma Buckley at 01-7037500.

The Trust also plans to seek further support from the Association, either in the form of a small percentage of every international match ticket or for one specially arranged international from which all receipts would go to the retired players’ fund.

http://www.elevenaside.com/offthefield/irish_soccer_detail.asp?newsid=14293

[Junior]

cheers PP, will have a chat with the troops, see if anyone is up for it.

[Cowboy]

Anyone?????????????????????????

Great cause but i think i'd rather make a direct donation, this type of dinner not really my scene (unless theres a really good band :-) )

[Junior]

Great cause but i think i'd rather make a direct donation, this type of dinner not really my scene (unless theres a really good band :-) )

I'd say Quinner would have a good few tales to tell though!!