Four Associations Tournament/Celtic Cup 2011

[Serb]

Is it not going to be hosted in one country, so we could play Scotland in Wales? Thought I read that somewhere; maybe it was a pervious suggested incarnation.

Don't think so. From what I understand it was alternating home and away matches similar to how the Rugby 6 Nations works (i.e. If we play Scotland at home in 2009, we'll play them in Scotland in 2010 and so on). If we did one country hosting it, there probably wouldn't be a great turn-out at say, Scotland -vs- Northern Ireland in the Millennium stadium for example.

[gustavo]

b) They are pretty sh*te

You must be English if you think they'd walk it.

Ahh yes the other 4 teams really walked their groups in comparion didnt they.


Instead of a wooden spoon the booby prize should be the choice of Stephen Ireland's superman pants or a bottle of Regaine.

Jesus , can you let your Stephen Ireland obsession go.

[dcfcsteve]

England would struggle to win it more often than anyone else because:

a) Everyone would try harder to beat them more than than the other opposition

and perhaps more importantly:

b) They are pretty sh*te

You must be English if you think they'd walk it.

1) I never said they'd walk it - I said they'd win it majority of times. Big difference.

2) England would likewise lift their game - especially against the Scots.

3) Over the longer-term, England will be the stronger of the 5 nations mentioned. They may be "sh!te" as you put it now - but all bar Scotland are currently no better. And over anything bar the short-term, England would inevitably prove the strongest, for a variety of reasons.

4) Under the old 'Home Natioons' tournament, England won the most titles. They had a 47% success rate - even though the gap between the teams involved was much narrower then than it is now (particularly in relation to Scotland and, on occassion, the North). I doubt adding the Republic to that mix would've changed the winners table by much.

I'm not English, but you must be blinkered if you can't accept the above.

[pineapple stu]

If we did one country hosting it, there probably wouldn't be a great turn-out at say, Scotland -vs- Northern Ireland in the Millennium stadium for example.
Might be better if Wales v Ireland was on straight after. Three games each over five days in one week in the summer would be a decent-ish tournament; would be OK crowd-wise too.s

[CollegeTillIDie]

Northern Ireland v Ireland in Belfast in July!!!

It will be in the Maze with the Southern fans seated in Block H :D

[WembleyGreen]

Should be named 'Sceptic Cup' given the amount of S****e you'll have to watch especially if recent Ireland/Wales games anything to go by, although in fairness the one in Cardff was an improvment. Will there really be enough interest in these games from both players and supporters? I don't think so, had they done it this summer maybe but Nov.? Feb? I'm not a big fan of friendlies at any time and as much as people go on about this adding a bit of 'competition' 'friendly rivalry' etc I don't recall anyone I know really, really wanting to play Scotland or Wales, OK there's a few out there who are desperate for a game against NI but sadly I think that may well be for reasons other than football! Not all of them of course but you know who I mean! My other big worry is that Delaney has been involved in it and we know what happens when he puts his grubby mits on things, be afraid, be very afraid!

[backstothewall]

If the stadium wasn't even half full for Ireland v Wales in a competitive qualifier (even if it was a dead rubber), whats the logic that they will attract more people to glorified friendlies?

[lopez]

If the stadium wasn't even half full for Ireland v Wales in a competitive qualifier (even if it was a dead rubber), whats the logic that they will attract more people to glorified friendlies?Wrexham it is then?

[eekers]

play all the games in one weekend in the isle of man

[Cymro]

If the stadium wasn't even half full for Ireland v Wales in a competitive qualifier (even if it was a dead rubber), whats the logic that they will attract more people to glorified friendlies?

It was empty precisely because it was a dead rubber. The fact it was 'competitive' didn't really matter, in my opinion.

Our crowds in such a competition as the CC would depend on our form, but I'd expect 35-40,000 at least if we played you in it. Of course, it depends if we're still in with a shout by that time. At the start of our campaigns crowds are usually a lot higher, then by the time we're knocked out they dip to the harcore of about 15-20,000.

And yes, the games could also be moved to Swansea or Wrexham.

[NeilMcD]

Couldn't agree more me old mucker, I thought Cardiff on that saturday afternoon was like all the chav towns outside London on a saturday night, can't say I was sorry to be on a bus at 5.30 after the match out of there and up to London, and agree can't see what the other teams will really get out of playing us end of season time also. Nobodys really going to get much out of it.

How you getting on, was looking out for you in Cardiff, but have to say was on a very quick visit there.

Alright Sylvo, I see you don't do pms or e mails so keeping well myself. Totally agree with you on Cardiff and I could not have put it better in reference to a chav town. Hope to see you over the course of the next qualifiers or maybe a nice away friendly in Spring next year.

[Drumcondra 69er]

play all the games in one weekend in the isle of man

The craic would be ninety at least!

[Wolfie]

From today's Indo - 3rd July 2008

"Chief executive John Delaney yesterday also confirmed that plans to host a Four Nations tournament between the Republic, Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland in 2011 may still be in a position to go ahead and may form part of the protracted sale of corporate packages in Lansdowne Road.

He also added that following discussions at Euro 2008 with Michel Platini, he remained "confident" that Lansdowne Road would be hosting the 2012 UEFA Cup final, although he stressed that this would not be included in any corporate packages".

[gspain]

From today's Indo - 3rd July 2008

"Chief executive John Delaney yesterday also confirmed that plans to host a Four Nations tournament between the Republic, Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland in 2011 may still be in a position to go ahead and may form part of the protracted sale of corporate packages in Lansdowne Road.

He also added that following discussions at Euro 2008 with Michel Platini, he remained "confident" that Lansdowne Road would be hosting the 2012 UEFA Cup final, although he stressed that this would not be included in any corporate packages".

We had been looking for the 2011 UEFA Cup Final.

2012 is more realistic anyway. I assume 2012 and 2013 will be given out in 2010. At that stage Lansdowne Road will be open and thus no risk for UEFA. To give us 2011 would be a risk - not as big as giving Euro2012 to Poland/Ukraine but still a risk.

I really hope JD is right about the funding for Lansdowne Road.

[Newryrep]

From today's Indo - 3rd July 2008

"Chief executive John Delaney yesterday also confirmed that plans to host a Four Nations tournament between the Republic, Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland in 2011 may still be in a position to go ahead and may form part of the protracted sale of corporate packages in Lansdowne Road.

He also added that following discussions at Euro 2008 with Michel Platini, he remained "confident" that Lansdowne Road would be hosting the 2012 UEFA Cup final, although he stressed that this would not be included in any corporate packages".

Jesus, that is likely to swing any waverer's

[Deckydee]

Hi Guys,

I am quiet worried about the Four Associations Tournament/Celtic Cup in 2011.

I wonder when we are playing the North what kind of a reception will Shane Duffy, Marc Wilson and Darren Gibson get?

Not to mention if Daniel Devine, Daniel Kearns, Shane McEleney, Paddy McEleney, Darren McCauley are first teamers as well!

It also makes me think what kind of a reception will McGeady and McCarthy get from the Scottish Fans?

I am worried about this tournament. There could be a lot of trouble.

To be honest we could have done well without it

[Predator]

I wonder when we are playing the North what kind of a reception will Shane Duffy, Marc Wilson and Darren Gibson get?

Not to mention if Daniel Devine, Daniel Kearns, Shane McEleney, Paddy McEleney, Darren McCauley are first teamers as well!Who knows, but if they get the kind of reception you fear, that kind of reception that will just serve to drive even more south. If an element of their fans cause trouble, they'll reap the rewards.

[ifk101]

I'd be more worried about our "fans" scratching their heads to identify the Rangers players to boo accordingly.

[tetsujin1979]

I'd be more worried about our "fans" scratching their heads to identify the Rangers players to boo accordingly.
when was the last time that happened?

[elroy]

By and large (albeit we're talking greater numbers for the Celtic Cup) the Setanta cup games between the NI and ROI teams have passed by without much hassle and have been welcomed by both parties involved. I think we're more likely to hear NI fans booing the likes of O'Dea and McGeady than Duffy, Gibson. There is always a danger of trouble at these types of events but with the exception of the inevitable few drunken isolated incidences, I would hope the games would pass by without much concern.

[Serb]

when was the last time that happened?

I'm pretty sure this happened in one of the games in Croke Park. Except the fans kept on booing the wrong player.

Similar to how James McArthur was getting booed while playing for Hamilton because the scumbags didn't know if it was him or James McCarthy that had declared for Ireland.

[tetsujin1979]

I'm pretty sure this happened in one of the games in Croke Park. Except the fans kept on booing the wrong player.You sure? I was at every game at Croke Park, and I don't remember any opposition player being booed because of the club they played for.

You sure you're not confusing it with Peter Madsen being booed at Lansdowne when he was introduced as Peter Lovenkrands? When the correction was made over the tannoy, his touch was cheered, and then Lovenkrands did come on later

[pineapple stu]

Yeah, pretty sure the "Lovenkrads" one was the last time alright. Another in the long line of footballing embarrassments in this country.

[Dodge]

when was the last time that happened?

Its happened since the last time there's been trouble between Irish, Scottish and Welsh football fans in fairness

[seanfhear]

Hi Guys,

I am quiet worried about the Four Associations Tournament/Celtic Cup in 2011.

I wonder when we are playing the North what kind of a reception will Shane Duffy, Marc Wilson and Darren Gibson get?

Not to mention if Daniel Devine, Daniel Kearns, Shane McEleney, Paddy McEleney, Darren McCauley are first teamers as well!

It also makes me think what kind of a reception will McGeady and McCarthy get from the Scottish Fans?

I am worried about this tournament. There could be a lot of trouble.

To be honest we could have done well without it
I am not sure there is much in this competition for any of the teams taking part. I am afraid that its going to be more trouble than its worth. I can see plenty of downsides and very few upsides.

I don't like being pessimictic about it but sometimes a spade is a spade !

[ArdeeBhoy]

Why would anyone want to play in glorified 'home' internationals v.three teams, representing 'countries', none of which exist in reality???

[jbyrne]

what a fuss over nothing. if mccarthy and mcgeady cant, and i've no reason to believe they cant, deal with a bit of abuse from another teams fans then they are in the wrong profession. why would this event attract any more trouble, ie. none, than when wales, scotland and the north have played here before recently?

my last memory of the scots in lansdowne is of about 5,000 of them on the north terrace singing the whole way through the match and putting us to shame on our own patch. no trouble from them whatsoever

[Razors left peg]

I still think its a good idea to have these games. Personally Id have much more interest in them than playing friendlies against the likes of Paraguay and Algeria

[Lionel Ritchie]

what a fuss over nothing. if mccarthy and mcgeady cant, and i've no reason to believe they cant, deal with a bit of abuse from another teams fans then they are in the wrong profession. why would this event attract any more trouble, ie. none, than when wales, scotland and the north have played here before recently?

my last memory of the scots in lansdowne is of about 5,000 of them on the north terrace singing the whole way through the match and putting us to shame on our own patch. no trouble from them whatsoever

I suspect the Norths lads will give us a singing lesson or two as well. It's a fixture that has potential to attract a gob****e element on both sides -but in general terms their support is an absolute credit to them.

[Deckydee]

Personally I think that they (the NI and Scottish born lads) will receive a pretty terrible reception.

The reason that I see this is because the last few times that we have played these teams there was no issue regarding players having (according to those supporters anyway) have ‘turned their back’ on their ‘home’ country.

The last time that we played Scotland (12-Feb-03) there was not going to be possibly two Scottish players lining up for Ireland who, in choosing to represent the republic, caused a huge uproar in their native Scotland. Now it is possible that I missed something and there was a Scottish born player on the field that day but certainly not a player who have had the following said about him/them because they declared for us:

1. http://www.pieandbovril.com/forum/index.php/topic/88503-the-official-lets-boo-traitorboy-james-mccarthy-thread/

2. http://i36.tinypic.com/2igg54z.jpg - Incidentally while I am posting this, this was the comeback article - http://i36.tinypic.com/rifdxk.jpg


The last time that we played Northern Ireland (29-May-99) – Ditto. Pop to OWC to see the links there. It will put shivers down your spine.

As you can see there is a BIG difference between those matches then, and the upcoming matches now.

Do you see what I am getting at?

The point that I am trying make and get across here is that the circumstances have changed since we last played these teams.

[jbyrne]

there will be zero trouble at these matches and anything else is nothing more than scaremongering

[Wolfie]

While I've a few reservations about the tournament, I think we may as well embrace its taking place at this stage.

If each participating country and fans alike give it a chance - we just might be surprised.

How many interminably long threads discussing the comparitive strengths of Ireland versus Northern Ireland could be rendered redundant if you could simply post "Well, we beat you last week".

Its all about making the games competitive and worth winning - the quality of play will naturally follow as a result of more intensity.

As the hosts, It would be embarassing to see us getting hammered a few times simply because we just couldn't be arsed about the competition.

[danonion]

Ireland 1 Northern Ireland 0

Duffy 90'+4

I am rather excited for the tournament. But of all our neighbors I'd love a game against England, although playing Scotland and Northern should be good and competitive.

[fionnsci]

I don't know why there is a host nation. Surely the Welsh and Scottish FAs would be happier playing eachother in Cardiff or Glasgow to attract a bigger crowd.