James McClean M Wrexham b.1989

[tricky_colour]

Just to be sure, Martin O'Neill has said nothing of trying to persuade McClean to return to the IFA.

He is still eligible for both. If he wants to return, that's his prerogative. I can't see it though given what he's said about his future ambitions. And as far as NI fans are concerned, he'd have to bear worse fire than that dished out upon Alex Bruce. Not all that tempting...

Well he has..""James McClean is eligible for Northern Ireland so of course he's on my radar," he said. And by making
that statement he is.

However I don't think Martin will have an success, but we need to get a cap on him ASAP just to prevent
speculation and to clear the matter up.

I can't see him returning either, he sounds 100% committed to us.

[tricky_colour]

Was in a bar in central Belfast last night watching the highlights and when his goal was showed there were a couple of Norn Ironers behind me going on about how he was born and raised in NI and was a turncoat for declaring for what he feels is his country. Mind you others on ILS seem to reckon that hes still theirs and O'Neill should have a word.

What is ILS?

[The Fly]

Well he has..""James McClean is eligible for Northern Ireland so of course he's on my radar," he said. And by making
that statement he is.

However I don't think Martin will have an success, but we need to get a cap on him ASAP just to prevent
speculation and to clear the matter up.

I can't see him returning either, he sounds 100% committed to us.

Brain fade?

What is ILS?

Irish League Supporters forum.

[SkStu]

Well he has..""James McClean is eligible for Northern Ireland so of course he's on my radar," he said. And by making
that statement he is.

However I don't think Martin will have an success, but we need to get a cap on him ASAP just to prevent
speculation and to clear the matter up.

I can't see him returning either, he sounds 100% committed to us.

he was making the point that it wasnt Martin O'Neill saying that but Michael O'Neill, new NI manager.

[pineapple stu]

What is ILS?

http://www.irishleaguesupporters.com/

[DannyInvincible]

he was making the point that it wasnt Martin O'Neill saying that but Michael O'Neill, new NI manager.

Indeed, an important distinction that needed to be made in this particular instance.

[Sullivinho]

Mind you others on ILS seem to reckon that hes still theirs and O'Neill should have a word.

In the time-honored tradition of internet forum speculation, I've taken existing quotes from the relevant parties and extrapolated how such a conversation might transpire:

I've never hidden the fact I think it (players switching allegiance) is wrong. I think the ruling itself is particularly unfair.

Playing for the Republic was something I wanted to do. It wasn't a hard decision to make and no one put pressure on me, I grew up supporting the Republic and always saw myself as Irish. It was easy enough in the end.

For players born in Northern Ireland, I think maybe they should aspire to long and distinguished careers for Northern Ireland rather than sitting on the periphery of the [Republic] squad.

I remember the last time they [Ireland] were at a finals, in 2002, everyone in Derry was watching the team then, and for me to make the squad would be unbelievable.

[tricky_colour]

he was making the point that it wasnt Martin O'Neill saying that but Michael O'Neill, new NI manager.

Ahhhhhhhhhh!! the penny has dropped, I wondered what all the fuss was about, I never saw Micheal at all, my brain read it as Martin,
I thought "The Fly" was complaining I had left out the apostrophe after the 'O' when I wrote "Martin O Neil', he is a bit pedantic I thought!!

[jbyrne]

For players born in Northern Ireland, I think maybe they should aspire to long and distinguished careers for Northern Ireland rather than sitting on the periphery of the [Republic] squad.

the fact that the players concerned would risk losing out on international football by declaring for us when they would probably win a load of caps for the north says it all really about the unattractiveness of the norths set-up and what it represents to many

[tricky_colour]

I should apologise for all the trouble I have caused, I just googled news for James McClean
and got this article "O'Neill opens door to defected players"
I only skimmed it and thought it was Martin O'Neil. My bad.
I was worried because I realise Martin was in a position where he could put immense
pressure on James ie "if you don't play for the North you won't get a game here either"
hence I kind of posted in a panic with out reading it properly. Martin would never do anything like that anyway.

[SkStu]

ye big wally...

[geysir]

These Derry lads are not for turning their backs, except when it's their round.

[geysir]

According to Wiki, Zamora also received his passport (including formal clearance from FIFA, presumably) and was all set to play but then picked up an injury in training. The FA were on his tail again soon after.

After his registration for a change of associations was approved by FIFA, Zamora was called up to the T&T squad 3 times and 3 times he reneged.
I think I have heard a similar story elsewhere, I just can't quite connect where

[The Fly]

In the time-honored tradition of internet forum speculation, I've taken existing quotes from the relevant parties and extrapolated how such a conversation might transpire

Originally Posted by James McClean
Playing for the Republic was something I wanted to do. It wasn't a hard decision to make and no one put pressure on me, I grew up supporting the Republic and always saw myself as Irish. It was easy enough in the end.

OWC will be experiencing severe turbulence in 5, 4, 3.....

[ArdeeBhoy]

Ha ha...


Though joking aside, as alluded to on the previous page, in time-honoured way, he'll still probably be eligible 'elsewhere' until the next WCQ's start.

Trap's 'Modus operandi will be to ignore him, Hoolahan,Pilkington or even Stephen Ireland until after the summer.

Unless of course Hunt, Duff or McGeady get injured.
Personally I wouldn't shed too many tears if one of the latter two missed out, but just my opinion...