also related but about the hockey players switching
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/hockey/20902901
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also related but about the hockey players switching
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/hockey/20902901
Beggars!
Indeed, hockey is one of many sports with all-Ireland representative teams but where NI's top players also represent Britain or England. See also rowing, cycling, cricket, table tennis, athletics.Quote:
Originally Posted by Newryrep
Are the hockey players entitled to switch to England under residency criteria? Isn't that how Dublin-born Ed Joyce lined out for England in cricket?
Yes, residency is the basic qualification for players originally from abroad to qualify for England at cricket.
As for Rory McIlroy, I'd be amazed if he didn't play in the 2016 Olympics. As others have said, if he's still one of the leading players his sponsors wouldn't stand for a withdrawal; if he has fallen back into the pack he'd want to improve his profile to get the sponsorship back. He's not going to worry about a little exagerated outrage in Ireland (most of it probably from people who aren't even golf fans).
I suspect it's his commercial potential in Irish America he's really worried about. I'd be surprised if his sponsors didn't see this as a bit of a dilemma too.
Sorry, I don't see it. He's the biggest star in the game, slaving over a hot blonde, yet needs to be worried about Oirish-America? It can't be that big a proportion of the market golf is looking to reach. Do you think he and Wozzernameski are looking to remake the Quiet Man or something?
McIlroy was supported by the Golf Union of Ireland as a lad which I believe is an all Ireland organisation, but has the dilemma of being born in Northern Ireland. I really think he is genuinely torn by the situation he is in, and to be fair to him, which ever decision he possibly makes, he could potentially alienate fans. Rather him than me! In terms of his sponsorship deal, I think he has become such a big name internationally, that whatever decision he makes won't affect his commercial interests at all.Quote:
Originally Posted by DannyInvincible
1. Wozniacki isn't hot.
2. Who gives a rats. Play for Britain. Play for Ireland. Pull out. The bellyaching of a multi-millionaire golfer over something that a. shouldn't be in the Olympics and b. should be open to amateurs only (cos there's a few of them :O) is vomit-inducing.
Rather him than you? Dear lord lad! There is no "dilemma" to him being born north of the border.Quote:
Originally Posted by gastric
The guy isn't genuinely torn. He's acting like a fuppwit. He knew what he would say would be taken offensively by Nationalists in Ireland. To pretend otherwise is naive as hell.
I'm sick of him.
The hockey defections though concern me as it is seriously weakening our team.
Your post indicates bias, immaturity and a lack of logic which really doesn't add to the debate.Quote:
Originally Posted by BonnieShels
I logged in to thank his post...Quote:
Originally Posted by gastric
I'm biased against McIlroy because he just won't shut up about this non-issue.Quote:
Originally Posted by gastric
I'm immature 'cos I'm thinking about Caroline's bazongas and her car-crash face.
I fail to see the argument for my lack of logic? Enlighten me.
Gastric, on many an occasion your inability to get to grips with this eligibility issue has flabbergasted me. I really don't think you should be throwing stones here.
And you still didn't!!! :PQuote:
Originally Posted by born2bwild
You might like to work on your spelling too!Quote:
Originally Posted by BonnieShels
One can but roll one's eyes at a moment like this.
:rolleyes:
There - I do think there is a genuine dilemma for McIlroy in all of this, though.
It still a risky move for anyone, including and maybe especially, a scouse-haired millionaire golfing star, to declare allegiances in Northern Ireland.
Ordering pizza or starting the car could become very dangerous for the chap.
Specifically where? I scanned his post and I can't see the misspelling (unless you're referring to 'bazongas'?)Quote:
Originally Posted by gastric
It was occasion. It took me a while too.Quote:
Originally Posted by born2bwild
Fair dues to him for engaging in the debate.
I really think this is overstated.Quote:
Originally Posted by born2bwild
He'll be spending most of the year outside of Ireland.
So unless CIRA or RIRA etc are gonna be sending lads to Indochina to "to jump out of a bowl of rice to pop a cap in his a**" then we'lll be grand.
Non-golf fan here.
Who gives a rats indeed.
Golf fans you say? Yes, indubitably.
What do you want to debate? Wozniacki is good looking, I haven't looked at her bazongas and one of the biggest sporting stars in the world faces a major decision that I would hate to have to make considering it's a no win situation. His comments about possibly not competing in the Olympics is a bit of a cop out, however, I am not sure NIKE would accept this.
I want to debate the fact I spelled 'indubitably' correctly in my last post goddammit! Didn't spell check it until after I'd hit the 'post quick reply' button either. You wanna talk about facing a major decision?? I could have copped out and went with the safer 'absolutely' but my heart was set on 'indubitably'.
And now...
a rat's ass:
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sW65ilskOC...00/RatsAss.jpg
We can debate Wozza in Totty thread.Quote:
Originally Posted by gastric
I would love to face his "dilemma".
The issue only arose because he brought it up and said something stupid. He has spent the time since then making cack-handed retractions and statements.
Actually I was referring to an earlier post from Bonnie and you posted in the meantime. Lots of class though in your reply!
It is 38c here and I am sitting on a beach using a mobile which means it is harder to reply to the relevant post, so I am probably creating some confusion.
You're not creating any confusion. Sulli was being his usual funny glib self. It is very clear you wear responding to me.Quote:
Originally Posted by gastric
May I advise you to quote and then reply in future just in case.
Anyways I have responded.
Talking of which, WTF are yer forms...Quote:
Originally Posted by Gather round
In fairness to Rory, the question was asked of him...and remains being asked.Quote:
Originally Posted by BonnieShels
He should play for whoever he feels most comfortable with, and forget about who that might "offend".
Regardless of his choice, I'll be supporting him - he's a Northern Irishman, proud to be from Northern Ireland.
I think it was more a case of him saying something honest than saying something stupid, although he does appear to now regret having said what he did. He expressed that he felt more British than Irish - presumably, he still feels that way - and, whilst he may represent Ireland and play under the tricolour on occasion (golf officially being an all-island sport), it's quite clear how he identifies personally - prior to recent airbrushing, his website was headed by 'Ulster Banners' - so, whatever about being "more than just a flag", I don't really see validity in his alleged personal dilemma, unless he fears some negative commercial lash-back. I think he should be honest, be done with it and declare for Team GB if that's where his heart lies. I'd genuinely have more respect for him if he ceased the nauseous charade of disingenuous fence-sitting.Quote:
Originally Posted by BonnieShels
Yeah, as much as I sympathise with him, he should have the courage of his convictions. This trying not to alienate anybody nonsense is tiring, although admittedly the Irish media have pursued it to an embarrassing degree.
I agree with this wholeheartedly.Quote:
Originally Posted by DannyInvincible
By saying something honest he was saying something stupid. They are not exclusive.
Either way, I wouldn't give a rats ass (thanks Sulli), simply because golf is a load of tosh and whether he's playing for GB or Ireland it'll make no difference to me.
Now can someone think of the hockey!
It's not that embarassing considering the twists they get themselves into when discussing eligibility for soccer.Quote:
Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin
I don't think the representative flag of the GUI is the Tricolour.Quote:
Originally Posted by DannyInvincible
I'm 100% sure that the Tricolour is not the representative flag of the island of Ireland.
I'm not sure myself, although you could well be right; their logo features the Four Provinces Flag:Quote:
Originally Posted by Not Brazil
http://www.golfblogger.co.uk/data/po...cf8-medium.jpg
Who was he representing here though?:
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d_Fqdg7QwB...well+Getty.jpg
Ireland.
I'm sure the lads at Mission Hills didn't know anything about the "offence" they were causing. Nor were they likely to care.
Can we just start using the Saltire or Provinces Flag for situations where we are a unified nation and be done with it.
Pretty silly of you to be posting on the topic at all then, would you say?Quote:
Originally Posted by BonnieShels
How so?
These are discussions about eligibility.
It's his whinging over his declaration which is annoying me. His eligibility for Ireland and Britain is what is of interest here. As is normal with this thread it may have gone off on another tangent.
He's obviously eligible for both. It's his preferred identity that may be of interest, but not to you, according to you.
You don't seem to care what he does, and as you think golf is a load of crap, I'm just wondering why you've posted as much, and as vehemently, as you have.
Well initially I had to defend from the "onslaught" from Gastric. So that took a while.Quote:
Originally Posted by osarusan
I also clarified a few things with Danny and agreed with Charlie.
Plus there was flag chat.
Shame you think that way because....Green = Us, White = Peace and Orange = You.Quote:
Originally Posted by Not Brazil
I think it sums up the vision for the future of the island pretty well
The island of Ireland?Quote:
Originally Posted by DannyInvincible
If so, the sole use of the Tricolour is wholly inappropriate.
Northern Ireland should have it's own team in the Golf World Cup.