The Kevin Nolan saga

[Condex]

It might be worth having a look at him in one of the friendles comming up.

[Plastic Paddy]

He opted for England a couple of years back, subsequent to this article from the old Kickin' Magazine website:

http://www.kickinmagazine.ie/kevinnolan31102000.htm

Would he want to swap allegiances now? Would we want him, especially as he had the choice (unlike Kevin Gallen many years ago) and chose to represent England?

:) PP

[drummerboy]

I think Nolan actually came over and joined the under 18 squad for a competitive match but pulled out on the eve of the match. He's still only 20 and scoring in the regularly in the premiership.

[sadloserkid]

I was under the impression that Nolan had decided to stick with England? To be honest, while I think he would be an excellent addition to our squad, I'd have more respect for him if he didn't change his mind again at this stage.

[Bowsy]

Has made his choice and it's England. Pity but you can have no arguements. It's best anyone who considers representing Ireland second best not play for us.

[Bring Back Mick]

Kevin Gallen had the choice ..................the english pound note was too much of an attraction to him.............as Gerry Francis said to him "if you want a new contract declare for England" if Gallen thought he was as good as was written about him at the time should have told QPR to stuff it declare for Ireland and who knows where his career would have taken him.
Would not have been playing for QPR @ Portsmouth the following year where he had the serious injury, if he had declared for the country of his parents and followed his brothers choice.......................thats what greed does for ya, disgrace to Ireland / Erris Co MAYO

God Save Ireland or the queen in Gallens case.

[DolansWaistcoat]

Nolan is a good player but we don't want him if he decides he would have a better shot with us to play international football just because he's not good enough to get into there squad.Anyway if Sven thinks the likes of Butt,Sinclair and Phil Neville are ahead of Nolan in the England squad then he can't be that brilliant.

As for Kevin Gallen,I remember when he was being touted as the man to lead England's strike force with Alan Shearer pre Michael Owen days.He's doing well for himself now down in Div 2. :rolleyes: :D

[Plastic Paddy]

Originally posted by Bring Back Mick
Kevin Gallen had the choice ..................the english pound note was too much of an attraction to him.............as Gerry Francis said to him "if you want a new contract declare for England" if Gallen thought he was as good as was written about him at the time should have told QPR to stuff it declare for Ireland and who knows where his career would have taken him.
Would not have been playing for QPR @ Portsmouth the following year where he had the serious injury, if he had declared for the country of his parents and followed his brothers choice.......................thats what greed does for ya, disgrace to Ireland / Erris Co MAYO

God Save Ireland or the queen in Gallens case.

I'm guessing the "english pound note" is also an attraction to you, given where you say you are... :rolleyes:

Like most 2G Irish, I've had it drummed into me to take the most secure options in life. Maybe Gallen's first loyalty was to his own security. And who can blame him for that? Calling him a "disgrace to Ireland" therefore is bang out of order. Sort out your issues and grow up.

:mad: PP

[Junior]

Originally posted by Plastic Paddy
I'm guessing the "english pound note" is also an attraction to you, given where you say you are... :rolleyes:

Like most 2G Irish, I've had it drummed into me to take the most secure options in life. Maybe Gallen's first loyalty was to his own security. And who can blame him for that? Calling him a "disgrace to Ireland" therefore is bang out of order. Sort out your issues and grow up.

:mad: PP

I'm not sure what being 2ndG Irish has got to do with 'taking the most secure options in life'?

Hypothetically speaking (and I know this means we can give the PC answer), but if you were in Gallens shoes and had that conversation with G Francis, would you even consider declaring for England? I know I wouldn't.

[Plastic Paddy]

Originally posted by Junior
I'm not sure what being 2ndG Irish has got to do with 'taking the most secure options in life'?

It's about the values with which we've been raised. In my case, it has everything to do with my father, who in the 1960s left Galway and came to England with "thirty bob in [his] pocket", wanting to make sure that his kids never had to take the same risk to earn a living. The same advice was given to many of my 2G friends by their parents. Maybe Gallen's father told him the same. Hence my generalised point. :)


Hypothetically speaking (and I know this means we can give the PC answer), but if you were in Gallens shoes and had that conversation with G Francis, would you even consider declaring for England? I know I wouldn't.

The clear and simple fact is that whilst the likes of you and me would crawl over broken glass to play for Ireland, other 2G people don't necessarily feel quite as strongly as we do. I'd even go as far as to say that many 2G see themselves as English and have no affinity whatsoever with "home". :eek: Just look at the England u-17 and u-19 teams, where two of their emerging stars go by the names of Sean Doherty and Sean O'Hanlon, for proof of this. :(

Back to your question about Gallen; I'm not in my early twenties and being pressurised by a boss, who's in possession of a persuasive and dominant character, to take that decision. Gerry Francis was/is renowned throughout football for being such a man. Irrespective of what anyone thinks, it's a shame, as Gallen could have had twenty or thirty caps for us by now. I just don't think he should be pilloried for doing what he did all those years ago.

:) PP

[Junior]

I suppose I'm trying to play devils advocate, as I can sense we are on the same wavelength here

I agree/relate to all your points. Nearly all my friends are 2G Irish and would declare themselves as Irish, one or two exceptions however do see themselves as english/british. I don't have a problem with that, as its all down to what type of upbringing you have had and the key influences in your life.

I do have a problem with people picking and chosing or changing their minds on such a thing as 'nationality'. Gallen was obvioulsy put under a lot of pressure, but life throws these problems at us time and time again. He made his decision (for personal reasons) he should stick with it. These examples of players switching allegiances, make a mockery of national pride.

Jnr

By the way are you the same PP that posts on the huddleboard?

[DolansWaistcoat]

Gallen made his choice and thats that leave him off it's in the past now.

[Plastic Paddy]

Originally posted by Junior
By the way are you the same PP that posts on the huddleboard?

Typical. I was thinking of asking you if you were Junior Manc, but never quite got around to it... :D

:D PP - Shepherd's Bush No 1 CSC

[Bring Back Mick]

Lads

At the end of the day Gallen had the choice "******" to setting him up for Life and that he was guided by his parents ..... QPR gave him the offer and he signed, if he thought he was a good player he would have stuck two fingers up at them and asked for a transfer a number of the so called "big clubs " were interested in him at the time. If he had waited Jack would have come callin for him

He declared for England his choice and his lost of maybe a successful international career.

With regards to taking the pound note does that apply to all 1st 2nd, 3rd 4th 5th etc generation irish in the UK ...........I know what my choice would be if I was a footballer and had to choose
between Ireland and England.................
"Come on you Boys in Green"
:D

[fromthenorthffs]

can we get Millwall's Tim Cahill now that the rules have changed

[Plastic Paddy]

Naw, he was only interested in us when it appeared the rules were set to change on the run-up to the 2002 World Cup. Now he's decided to opt for Australia.

:confused: PP

[carnstien]

Originally posted by Bowsy
Has made his choice and it's England. Pity but you can have no arguements. It's best anyone who considers representing Ireland second best not play for us.
I totally disagree. You don't think those useless donkeys Kilbane, Holland and Breen would be playing for Ireland if they were good enough for England? Of course they wouldn't. The only reason any English player will declare for Ireland is if he is not good enough to make the English squad. It has nothing to do with loyalty, they just think they are more likley to succeed with England, why do you think Wayne Rooney didn't declare for Ireland?

Average players, like Breen, Kilbane and Kevin Nolan would never get a sniff of international football if it wasn't for their Irish ancestory.

On another note, I don't think we have actually had a decent Englsih player since Aldridge.

[Declan_Michael]

Originally posted by carnstien
I totally disagree. You don't think those useless donkeys Kilbane, Holland and Breen would be playing for Ireland if they were good enough for England? Of course they wouldn't. The only reason any English player will declare for Ireland is if he is not good enough to make the English squad. It has nothing to do with loyalty, they just think they are more likley to succeed with England, why do you think Wayne Rooney didn't declare for Ireland?

Average players, like Breen, Kilbane and Kevin Nolan would never get a sniff of international football if it wasn't for their Irish ancestory.

On another note, I don't think we have actually had a decent Englsih player since Aldridge.

That's a bit harsh. Don't want to get into the 'plastic paddy' debate its been done to death. However, I was born in England and if Ericcsson and Kerr came knocking at my door I know who I'd talk terms with.

I feel that people like Kilbane (second generation) should be respected for representing their country just as much as Duff, Given etc.

I think Rooney is third generation Irish and IMO this rule takes it too far.

[tiktok]

Originally posted by carnstien
why do you think Wayne Rooney didn't declare for Ireland?

Because he's English and proud of it, no problem there.


Originally posted by carnstien
Average players, like .....Kilbane ....would never get a sniff of international football if it wasn't for their Irish ancestory.

that particular average player didn't play underage for England when he got the (more than a sniff of an) offer because of that ancestory.
he's extremely proud to pull on the Irish shirt and always gives it 100%.
To suggest that he chose Ireland because no-one else would have him (which before you protest, is exactly what you're doing) is a crock of sh!t.:rolleyes:

[Beavis]

I know it's been gone over before many times but the line must be drawn.People like Kilbane and Breen who genuinely love Ireland should not be slated in this way.:mad:
People like Holland on the other hand I'm not so sure:(

[fromthenorthffs]

I was sure when he hit the equaliser against Cameroon.

Anyone who knows the words to Sean South is good enough for me, if they still play that tape that is

[Condex]

I was born in England but brought up in Ireland. I consider myself Irish and so do my cousins who where brought up over here.

Your Irishness depends on how much effort your parents put into retaining a link with back home.

[Plastic Paddy]

Originally posted by Condex
Your Irishness depends on how much effort your parents put into retaining a link with back home.

It's not as simple as that, although it does contribute to one's sense of identity. Anyhow, due to the risk of reopening yet another of the great debates hereabouts, I now lay down my keyboard... ;)

:D PP

[pingpongbob]

Thank god my parents immigrated to the U.S, most second generation people I know would put on the Irish jersey in a heartbeat( but most 2nd generation Irish/Americans are brought up following baseball grid-iron, hockey or basketball), I have a cousin in Covenetry(both parente from Eire.) who wears an England jersey,,, I find this very strange...over-compensation maybe?

[Bowsy]

The Irishness of 2G Irish in England or wherever is completely down to how your parents raised you. For that reason the likes of Kilbane, Finnan, Breen and young Darren Potter are as Irish as any player regardless of accent. Yes I question whether Holland would be with us if good enough for England and know Morrison wouldn't but going back to the original point Kevin Nolan considers himself English and even his Da has been quoted as saying he wants him to play for England.

[London Irish]

...funny - this sterile debate usually pops up after an away game when a few day trippers (normally their first game and representing 0.0000000000000000000000000000000000001% of real fans) hear an English accent and think it as great amusement………they struggle to understand the two words: economic migration. – which was an economic reality for my parents generation in the west of Ireland…….and no doubt mr and mrs Kilbane, Breen, etc..

perhaps it’s the fault of the education system or government that denies this……..as a slight diversion from footie this website is well worth a visit

www.aisling.org.uk

…..real fans regardless of accent – especially those who travel abroad - know ‘the score’ about us Plastics!!!! I have no interest in the England football team and would never play for them because they are not ‘my team’……it wouldn’t feel right - nothing more sinister than that

Erin go bragh

[Declan_Michael]

Originally posted by London Irish
...funny - this sterile debate usually pops up after an away game when a few day trippers (normally their first game and representing 0.0000000000000000000000000000000000001% of real fans) hear an English accent and think it as great amusement………they struggle to understand the two words: economic migration. – which was an economic reality for my parents generation in the west of Ireland…….and no doubt mr and mrs Kilbane, Breen, etc..

perhaps it’s the fault of the education system or government that denies this……..as a slight diversion from footie this website is well worth a visit

www.aisling.org.uk

…..real fans regardless of accent – especially those who travel abroad - know ‘the score’ about us Plastics!!!! I have no interest in the England football team and would never play for them because they are not ‘my team’……it wouldn’t feel right - nothing more sinister than that

Erin go bragh

Yet despite this when I was living in Ireland (with me English accent) and people knowing my roots I was asked who I would be supporting during the Ireland - England six nations match.

Ireland I said.

Response: "well I suppose you'd have to over here" :mad:

[London Irish]

take your point DM ......am back in Mayo all the time and get that as well........

........but when i've come from London and taken 2 days annual leave to go to Lansdowne road on a Tuesday night (actually on my own for that game - though travalling to see the boys in green you are never on your 'own') in November for a friendly versus Canada, made the effort (and told to *&%$ off by an irate girlfirend because of) to go to Moscow/ Basel/ Amsterdam / Athens etc.. that attitude by the odd idiot gets lost on me.......

[Ozymandias]

London Irish just for future reference its Éire go Brea.....Brágh is the scottish version..it also means captive or hostage in irish as it comes from the word Brá......I am not having a go at ya just pointing it out...I agree with the sentiments of all the 2g on here and I have posted before that while on away trips I feel I have more in common with them than some Irish born and raised idiots who believe an english accent is an excuse to abuse and threaten someone...they are a minority though and are a bit limited in all departments

[onenilgameover]

Has made his choice and it's England. Pity but you can have no arguements. It's best anyone who considers representing Ireland second best not play for us.


I have watched Nolan and he looks a very good player however he will find it very hard to break into the english team containing such stars as Emile Heskey....Which is unforunate for Ireland and for Mr Nolan.....

But just a point....How committed is Clinton Morrison...to me hw seems like he could'nt give a damn....he has been lucky when playing for Ireland and has not played well...Personally I think him are Connolly are muck and don't deserve international football...

lets blood some new strikers...

[Bowsy]

Clinton is best of a bad bunch when it comes to partners for Keane. Allegedly Elliott is in Kev Keegan's first team squad for tonights game against Liverpool. Here's hoping Macken, Fowler and Sibierski join Anelka on the treatment table.

[sylvo]

Nolan's never been interested in playing for Ireland from the word go, he's more then welcome to win his one cap and be forgotten about by the self appointed football master race.
But the crazy thing about Kevin Gallen is it's not like he's one of these 2nd gen Irish who are Irish when it suits them but still follow engerluuuund, this guy is totally Irish. He said that after making his choice to play for engerluuuuund he was'nt english he was Irish but this was the best choice for his football career (ie being lent on by Gerry Francis which has already been said).
Kevin Gallen was old enough to stand up to Francis and tell him that he was Irish but he did'nt he bottled it he renounced his nationality that's why i don't have any respect for him. I like thousand's of other 2nd gen Irish would march a million miles for the privallige of pulling on the green shirt and representing our country and that was feebel excuse he could give when he had the chance i would love to have had. When Kevin Kilbane was 14 and called to train with the engerluuuund u15 team he told the Preston boss he was'nt going because he wanted to one day play for Ireland. He got a barrage of abuse and was booted out of the office by the boss cause of what the boss put it 'a lack of ambition', but he would'nt let any one tell him he was'nt Irish and is someone who you know that regardless of what people say about the odd performance is someone who play's for the jersey.
Speaking of d***heads who slag off 2nd Irish fans accents, is it me who finds this or does anyone else find that these clowns all seem to support man u or liverpool when you argue back with them they never support an eircom league club, that bugs me that it's totally acceptable to have an Irish accent and support some plc in engerluuuuund @ the expense of their local club but it's a wierd thing for people from the Irish community in engerluuuund to follow Ireland, how hypocritical.

[Declan_Michael]

Speaking of d***heads who slag off 2nd Irish fans accents, is it me who finds this or does anyone else find that these clowns all seem to support man u or liverpool when you argue back with them they never support an eircom league club, that bugs me that it's totally acceptable to have an Irish accent and support some plc in engerluuuuund @ the expense of their local club but it's a wierd thing for people from the Irish community in engerluuuund to follow Ireland, how hypocritical. [/B][/QUOTE]

Well said :)

[piratemousey]

hes english, mate. born and bred end of storey.

[lopez]

Originally posted by piratemousey
hes english, mate. born and bred end of storey.
Born yes, but bred????:confused: Bet you think dogs born in stables also neigh, have two foot choppers and attract an unhealthy interest from John Magnier, MATE. What a fine example of Free State education you are! :rolleyes:

[Declan_Michael]

Good to see the 'plastic paddy' debate is alive and kicking.

'McCarthy's Bar' is an excellent read. :D

[Beavis]

Originally posted by sylvo
When Kevin Kilbane was 14 and called to train with the engerluuuund u15 team he told the Preston boss he was'nt going because he wanted to one day play for Ireland. He got a barrage of abuse and was booted out of the office by the boss cause of what the boss put it 'a lack of ambition', but he would'nt let any one tell him he was'nt Irish and is someone who you know that regardless of what people say about the odd performance is someone who play's for the jersey.

That's the most heartwarming story I've heard in some time.Brightened up my day.What a legend he is.
It's criminal that arguably our most dedicated player could receive such abuse from the irish public.



Speaking of d***heads who slag off 2nd Irish fans accents, is it me who finds this or does anyone else find that these clowns all seem to support man u or liverpool when you argue back with them they never support an eircom league club, that bugs me that it's totally acceptable to have an Irish accent and support some plc in engerluuuuund @ the expense of their local club but it's a wierd thing for people from the Irish community in engerluuuund to follow Ireland, how hypocritical.

Don't mean to take a shot at you Sylvo but it's seems the easy way to get a few cuotos around here is to slag off Man U or Liverpool fans and elevate eL fans.The same attitude is found in nearly every thread,heard it all before,eL fans can do no wrong and English League fans are the scum of the earth. :rolleyes:
And that's an impartial view BTW.

[sylvo]

Beavis I did'nt take it as a shot @ all. First not one bit looking for a pat on the back from the el fan's @ all after all i am one myself and just want to see a lot more intrest being shown toward's it, but i can only say thing's as i see them personally. Not for a minute do i feel that people who support english team's are scum, I'm not one bit bothered about who people support. I have seen on thread's were people are getting jumped @ for supporting english team's or Celtic, it's a personal choice and i don't belive in dictating to people what club they should support, my anger toward's people come's when i'm following my country and as has often happened i've had some hilarious character ask me what the hell i'm doing here or that eternal classic ''HOW COME YER NOT AT WEMBLEY'' just because of my geezer accent. In Brussels one year some gob****e who was dressed up like Ireland was playing Belguim in golf (not football) even had the ball's to come to meself and a table full of my London Irish mate's and say ''lad's i've just heard yer accent's thank's for coming over and giving us a cheer''. He like every single person who've forgotten that we've had a slight problem with emigration over the year's and have felt the need to tell us who they think we should support in international football because we don't have Irish accent's,strangely enough all supported english football club's and never a local one when i've asked a few question's back to them.
Bevis it's totally hypocritical and annoying to have someone tell you about how great a supporter they are of a team that come's from a place that they have no blood or family tie's to in a different country and that it's completly acceptable to do so, but then tell you that you should not be supporting the country that your parent's were born and brought up in and is you're country also regardless of your accent.
Over the year's following Ireland i've got to know many people many support el team's some of them also even follow the fortune's of an english team as a second team, but i have never been told by an el fan that i should be following the tans, the only people that have told me that have turned out to follow tan club's. As i said i can only say as i see.
As for Kevin Kilbane don't know if that was a dig there, but @ fourteen year's of age he stood up to someone trying to bully him into decalring for something he was'nt, I will alway's have the upmost respect for KK as most second genertion Irish fan's do, he done what Kevin Gallan @ a much older age did'nt have the ball's to do.He play's for the jersey and you can tell that playing for Ireland mean's everything to him, and i thought he played very well v Brazil.

[Bring Back Mick]

Well said .....................Kevin Kilbane is a true Mayo man unlike that gob sh!te Gallen.................................UP THE WEST !!!

2nd Gen and proud to be Irish .....................................

[lopez]

Originally posted by sylvo
...As for Kevin Kilbane don't know if that was a dig there, but @ fourteen year's of age he stood up to someone trying to bully him into decalring for something he was'nt, I will alway's have the upmost respect for KK as most second genertion Irish fan's do, he done what Kevin Gallan @ a much older age did'nt have the ball's to do...
Tranquilo Sylvo. Don't think Beavis was having a dig as we have smileys to ram the sarcasm home (unless I'm mistaken). KK is a diamond in my eyes. But he's not alone though. Connolly, Eddie McAteer, Tony Grealish, even the half - English Chris Morris, among others, were Irish citizens before their first caps. Perhaps piratemousey should put the question to the manager of his club on his Irishness, or his brother, once the brightest of our youth prodigies in the eighties, who later suffered from cancer. In declining an England youth cap in 1985 then told the English meedja two simple words that didn't include either off or f*ck: 'I'm Irish.'

Still I forgot about Carnstein above in my previous outburst. So why do YOU think that English born fans follow Ireland (loads of evidence on this messageboard)? Glory hunters, can't get the tickets to England games, like dressing up as leprechauns? :rolleyes:

[Beavis]

Sylvo apologies for my last post.It seems the easiest thing to do is critisise the EngPL fans who do despite what people on this site would have you believe,make up the majority of Ireland fans.
But if this is genuinely how you've experience it,then I can hardly argue with that.I just misinterpreted it as another easy shot at EngPL fans,which I now see it wasn't.

On the subject in question,I think it barely warrants debate.Anyone who can't add up why an Ireland fan could have an english accent is so completely ignorant in the ways of our history that they don't deserve to be at the game.

[London Irish]

Originally posted by Bring Back Mick
Well said .....................Kevin Kilbane is a true Mayo man unlike that gob sh!te Gallen.................................UP THE WEST !!!

2nd Gen and proud to be Irish .....................................


…….Saw KK on holiday in Achill last year and he was top bloke. Spent a good half hour talking when he never had to…could really tell he cared about qualifying for Euro 2004 and what pulling on the Green Shirt meant….what a touch of class to do that at 14……it shouldn't be forgoten that not too long ago it was not always 'popular' or 'cool' to be Irish in Britain.......

….Just back from the match in Dublin and had a great time talking to fans from all over Ireland and Britain……it really is only the odd remark from an idiot that makes this an issue. …..Roll on the Czechs

[sylvo]

Beavis no need for apologies,, I think i might have misunderstood you about Kevin Kilbane so apologies on my part for that.
I've alway's felt people should be allowed support what ever team they want, I don't follow an English club but that's just me I would never have a go @ anyone for doing so, because i'd have to have a go @ mostly all my mate's and family, even i as a kid had a leaning toward's an english club
Lopez yer right KK is not the only 2nd gen to totally wear his heart on his sleve, Gary Breen was alway's known for being Ireland mad by any one i know who was @ school with him in north london, as with the football match's in the Dolan twin's school playground in essex between west ham and galway united told year's later by the manager of cork city himself. Lopez you were in the vacinity of that table in Brussels when Brendan from Waterford wrote himself into our own bit of folklaw with thanking us for supporting his country, thankfully you weren't sitting @ that table Tommy f was there i remember.
London Irish yer right it is mostly the odd remark from the odd idiot, and indeed wednesday was a great night, can't wait for the Czech's

[lopez]

Originally posted by sylvo
Lopez you were in the vacinity of that table in Brussels when Brendan from Waterford wrote himself into our own bit of folklaw with thanking us for supporting his country, thankfully you weren't sitting @ that table Tommy f was there i remember.
Was that the night DAXION took me home with the help of the 'STAATWAATCH' after a bad pint of the Bob Marley Aftershave?:D

[sylvo]

No that was on the way to amsterdam that happened this was another night you were banjaxed, belguim 97

[Beavis]

Originally posted by lopez
Don't think Beavis was having a dig as we have smileys to ram the sarcasm home (unless I'm mistaken).

There was no sarcasm intended here at all.But now that I re-read what I said,it may have seemed a bit over the top.
I had never heard about this before.You hear so much talk of so-n-so only playing for us as a last resort that to read this was like a breath of fresh air.
Kev Kilbane for President.

[sylvo]

All agreed their was no scarasm, just slightly misread on my part.
Beavis yer right Kevin Kilbane is a top man, I was even told by a mate of mine who had just phoned his wife back in waterford while we were in Korea @ the wc that kk had just been on tg4 doing an interview totally in Irish, top man. A credit to second generation Irish people.
Another second generation Irishman who do'es not get much praise on some thread's here is Rory Delap, when he got the phonecall from McCarthy telling him that he never made the squad for the world cup, He just sorted himself out with a flight to Japan packed all his Ireland gear and went over to support the team as a fan just the same as the rest of us, top man.

[Slash/ED]

Originally posted by sylvo
Another second generation Irishman who do'es not get much praise on some thread's here is Rory Delap, when he got the phonecall from McCarthy telling him that he never made the squad for the world cup, He just sorted himself out with a flight to Japan packed all his Ireland gear and went over to support the team as a fan just the same as the rest of us, top man.

I'd no idea he did that, top bloke.

[Declan_Michael]

Originally posted by sylvo
Beavis yer right Kevin Kilbane is a top man, I was even told by a mate of mine who had just phoned his wife back in waterford while we were in Korea @ the wc that kk had just been on tg4 doing an interview totally in Irish, top man. A credit to second generation Irish people.


Are you sure Kevin Kilbane can speak fluent Irish? As far as I am aware he was born and raised in England. They certainly don't teach Gaelic in English schools. Unless his parents kept him in at night when he should have been playing football with his mates! :D

[lopez]

Originally posted by Declan_Michael
Are you sure Kevin Kilbane can speak fluent Irish? As far as I am aware he was born and raised in England. They certainly don't teach Gaelic in English schools. Unless his parents kept him in at night when he should have been playing football with his mates! :D
A mate of mine (Milwall fan) speaks fluent Irish as both parents were from Connemara. I was learning myself about twelve years ago and we met this Galway Utd fan from Spiddal in Copenhagen in 92. He was having a right good conversation with him which left me feeling inadequate. I just managed to answer where I was from. :(

Also my cousin was speaking fluent Spanish until he learnt it properly in additional lessons at college for his O and A levels, even though he was born in London of two Spanish parents. And of course you don't need to go to school to learn a language, especially one that you know the basics (KK's parents are apparently Irish speakers). I learnt Spanish from a linguaphone style book/tapes that my parents brought from me at 15, before studying it at uni. Maybe why I was a crap footballer. ;)