Shane Ferguson

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Originally Posted by mark12345

It has to be said that with the troubles gone more or less, catholicism well, not what it once was south of the border, and passage between Dublin and Belfast easier than ever, are there any excuses anymore for not having an all ireland team?

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You're a bit behind the times Mark.

There is a de facto all Ireland team - it is that which represents the FAI.

Perhaps it's time to put the "all Ireland" team thing to bed, and start respecting the choice of those players who choose not to play for it.

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Originally Posted by ArdeeBhoy

They're either British or Irish by nationality. :rolleyes:

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They are both British and Irish by nationality.

Check out the CAS ruling, and what it says about Dual Nationality.

The CAS ruling doesn't determine the British and Irish nationality acts, it just recognises what is already established fact.

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Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

Well, like you said, it's been covered ad nauseam.

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Then you have no excuses Charlie for your misunderstanding.
There is no Northern Irish nationality. There is a Northern Irish identity.

From May 2011:

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“If you are born in the country you should be representing that country,” said Worthington.

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From March 2011:

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...we will continue to look at players not necessarily born in Northern Ireland, if they are going to improve our squad.

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Which one is it, Nigel?

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Originally Posted by ArdeeBhoy

Except they don't have a 'distinct' nationality. They're either British or Irish by nationality. But I've a feeling we might just have covered that, 'ad nauseum'.
:rolleyes:

I accept they have a team, by an accident of history and the nuances of FIFA politics, but it's little to do with nationality.

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Oh.. my... GOD.... http://www.onelaughhaveit.co.uk/imag...brick_wall.gifhttp://www.onelaughhaveit.co.uk/imag...brick_wall.gif

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Originally Posted by Not Brazil

They are both British and Irish by nationality.

Check out the CAS ruling, and what it says about Dual Nationality.

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Yes, the players, fair enough. Though they do need the passport.
But that's not who I was talking about.

I wonder which way they would sway if Fifa decide its time for an all Britain team. Would our Union Jack waving friends come running over the border
to join hands???

Oh and if we need to be respecting the choice of those players who choose not to play for it. (FAI) Then why dont you go the whole hog and form "our wee country" Rugby team as well

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Originally Posted by Dunners

I wonder which way they would sway if Fifa decide its time for an all Britain team. Would our Union Jack waving friends come running over the border
to join hands???

Oh and if we need to be respecting the choice of those players who choose not to play for it. (FAI) Then why dont you go the whole hog and form "our wee country" Rugby team as well

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Any moves towards an all United Kingdom team would be robustly resisted by Northern Ireland supporters.

Why should we form an "our wee country" rugby team?

It is now, as it always was - and the rugby chaps seem happy with they way it is, and that choice has to be respected.

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Originally Posted by ArdeeBhoy

Yes, the players, fair enough. Though they do need the passport.

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What differentiates players from the rest of society?

A British Passport is not required to play for the Irish Football Association - British Citizenship is ample (subject to Article 16).

Well you might just need a passport, were they to play most away games....
:rolleyes:

More seriously the debate came up on Celtic MB's about what passport a Mr.N.Lennon held.
Turns out it was a Brit one initially, but now, who knows?? Certainly touched a nerve.

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Originally Posted by Dunners

I wonder which way they would sway if Fifa decide its time for an all Britain team. Would our Union Jack waving friends come running over the border
to join hands???

Oh and if we need to be respecting the choice of those players who choose not to play for it. (FAI) Then why dont you go the whole hog and form "our wee country" Rugby team as well

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Northern Ireland fans opposed the UK team that was proposed for the Olympics so not really sure what you're on about here.

Also, there's no issue with the current rugby set up, don't know why you bring that into it.

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Originally Posted by ArdeeBhoy

Well you might just need a passport, were they to play most away games....
:rolleyes:

More seriously the debate came up on Celtic MB's about what passport a Mr.N.Lennon held.
Turns out it was a Brit one initially, but now, who knows?? Certainly touched a nerve.

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You need a passport but it doesn't have to be a british one.

Who cares what passport Neil Lennon holds? Why would this touch a nerve? What passport he holds is up to him and is nobody else's business.

I love the way you take a joke.
;)

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Originally Posted by Not Brazil

You're a bit behind the times Mark.

There is a de facto all Ireland team - it is that which represents the FAI.

Perhaps it's time to put the "all Ireland" team thing to bed, and start respecting the choice of those players who choose not to play for it.

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I know it's a bit of a fantasy on my part, but it won't stop me dreaming.

When I think back (thanks to your screen name 'Brazil') to the time when the All-Ireland team played Brazil in Dublin and lost 4-3 and in reality should have beaten the then world champions, and had Derek Dougan, Pat Jennings, Johnny Giles et al wishing aloud for a team to represent the whole island one day.

When I think back to that brilliant performance by the combined best our island has to offer, and when I think of our brilliant rugby team who will keep us up late at night when we watch the World Cup with high hopes later this year.

When I think of the impeccable respect shown by Irish fans to God Save the Queen at Croke Park that day a few years ago.

When I think of our superb boxing team who has benefited from 'coming together' with a singular fight in mind and who will surely win medals at the next Olympics.

When I think of all the negativity between the two communities which, when chanelled in the right direction achieves so much.

And when I think of the legend, and one of the best players ever to grace the game, George Best, wishing that he's see an all Ireland team in his day.

When I think of all of the above I think that one day we could be standing arm in arm watching our team in a World Cup semi-final. Imagine how good we could be together. It would be something really worthwhile to give to our kids.


I HAVE A DREAM.

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Originally Posted by ArdeeBhoy

Well you might just need a passport, were they to play most away games....
:rolleyes:

More seriously the debate came up on Celtic MB's about what passport a Mr.N.Lennon held.
Turns out it was a Brit one initially, but now, who knows?? Certainly touched a nerve.

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A Northern Ireland player does not need a British Passport to travel to most away games - an Irish one will do fine.

What relevance is Lennon's Passport? He's a Dual National - British and Irish.

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Originally Posted by mark12345

I know it's a bit of a fantasy on my part, but it won't stop me dreaming.

I HAVE A DREAM.

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Keep on dreaming about your fantasies, mo chara. No harm in that at all.

Maybe when you wake up, you'll realise that Northern Irish footballers have a choice. Respect it.

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Originally Posted by mark12345

I know it's a bit of a fantasy on my part, but it won't stop me dreaming.

When I think back (thanks to your screen name 'Brazil') to the time when the All-Ireland team played Brazil in Dublin and lost 4-3 and in reality should have beaten the then world champions, and had Derek Dougan, Pat Jennings, Johnny Giles et al wishing aloud for a team to represent the whole island one day.

When I think back to that brilliant performance by the combined best our island has to offer, and when I think of our brilliant rugby team who will keep us up late at night when we watch the World Cup with high hopes later this year.

When I think of the impeccable respect shown by Irish fans to God Save the Queen at Croke Park that day a few years ago.

When I think of our superb boxing team who has benefited from 'coming together' with a singular fight in mind and who will surely win medals at the next Olympics.

When I think of all the negativity between the two communities which, when chanelled in the right direction achieves so much.

And when I think of the legend, and one of the best players ever to grace the game, George Best, wishing that he's see an all Ireland team in his day.

When I think of all of the above I think that one day we could be standing arm in arm watching our team in a World Cup semi-final. Imagine how good we could be together. It would be something really worthwhile to give to our kids.


I HAVE A DREAM.

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I think respecting God Save the Queen at a rugby game when it is being sung to represent England is one thing. When it's being sung at a football match to represent NI then that's a totally different kettle of fish in my book and it will be interesting to see the reaction at the match.

I'm not trying to stir the pot, I just think that we may be getting a little ahead of ourselves (I would have doubts about Amhrán na bhFiann being impeccably respected at the game too unfortunately).

An All Ireland team is a contentious issue. I don't think many would argue that it wouldn't increase "our" chances of qualification, but I think the major issue is could people relate to the team. Doing it for rugby is different as they have never known any different.

The point is if Unionist Rugby fans can support a one team fits all approach then why do the same people have a different view when it comes to football
Maybe because middle to upper class Unionists have no problem rubbing shoulders with Nationalists in Dublin for knees up at the Rugby
But when it comes to football lets keep those working class boys at each other throats, we cant have them boys rubbing shoulders whos knows were that
would end up , Ireland United - one team, one country - oh my god

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Originally Posted by Dunners

The point is if Unionist Rugby fans can support a one team fits all approach then why do the same people have a different view when it comes to football
Maybe because middle to upper class Unionists have no problem rubbing shoulders with Nationalists in Dublin for knees up at the Rugby
But when it comes to football lets keep those working class boys at each other throats, we cant have them boys rubbing shoulders whos knows were that
would end up , Ireland United - one team, one country - oh my god

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That may be some people's reasons for being against it, I think a lot of people though just like supporting Northern Ireland for what it is now, as they have done so for many years.

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Originally Posted by Dunners

The point is if Unionist Rugby fans can support a one team fits all approach then why do the same people have a different view when it comes to football

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Because there never was a choice with rugby, and they're happy with the status quo?

I imagine that the Ulster rugby team may be part of the reason why people are happy with the status quo in rugby too.