Norn Iron rubbish part 23452346526

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Originally Posted by ifk101

After 22 pages and countless other similar threads? Yes maybe it's time to put this to bed. An united Ireland team would effectively be the current Republic team. The IFA would be forced to move to Abbottstown and games would be played in Dublin. Any possible merger doesn't represent a joining of forces so to speak - it would represent our current team and a token player or two from NI. This isn't acceptable to the IFA or the NI support so along comes the hassle that we just don't need because we'd have different interest groups emerging that aren't all pulling in the same direction. Success at international level with the resources we have demands that everyone is 100% behind the team. This wouldn't be the case with an united team.

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well then you do it at u-15 level and then bring the age higher every year with them. it would never be a case of just saying 'ok now we're an all-Ireland team so goodbye half of you and thanks for the effort'. these things take time but I think it's quite feasible.

Didnt Johnny Giles and co play Brazil with an All-Ireland team years ago wearing Shamrock Rovers jerseys? By all accounts it was a great success

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Originally Posted by Fixer82

Didnt Johnny Giles and co play Brazil with an All-Ireland team years ago wearing Shamrock Rovers jerseys? By all accounts it was a great success

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So successful they've repeated it in each of the 36 years since.

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Originally Posted by Fixer82

well then you do it at u-15 level and then bring the age higher every year with them. it would never be a case of just saying 'ok now we're an all-Ireland team so goodbye half of you and thanks for the effort'. these things take time but I think it's quite feasible.

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The FAI can pick every player, both sides of the border, at U15 level. ;)

The eligibility rules are such that the FAI can effectively build an All-Ireland team anyways. There's no need for the FAI to merge with the IFA to achieve this. If the IFA wants to join with us, they'll make it known. As it is they do not want to join with us. Respect that and move on.

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Originally Posted by ifk101

The FAI can pick every player, both sides of the border, at U15 level. ;)

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I don't think you're right - I think it's a different set of rules that determine schoolboys football ie. like where you go to school.

After FIFAs last deliberations on players from any part of Ireland being able to play for Ireland (ROI) there is an all-Ireland team for those that want to play for it.

For various reasons some players will not take up this opportunity and as we have seen with our "own" Stephen Ireland it is noit possible to compel players to play for a country.

Its the state of Club football on the Island of Ireland that has to be improved. Nobody is saying for certain that an all-Ireland league will be the holy grail for club football on the island but it would bring better competition to the better Clubs on the island and afterall it is competition that drives up the quality.

If this god damn economic depression had not steamrolled the country I believe that there may have been an opportunity for either the Big TV franchises or wealthy entreprenneurs to put some money into an all-Ireland league.

Hopefully when the economic depression finally lifts some body/organisation will see an opportunity and put some investment into an all-Ireland league.

Football has opportunities to develope at club level on the Island. If for example Linfiel/Glentoran/Bohemians/St Paths were to make it to the group stages of the Champions league then think of the interest/money that this would generate.

This is not as unrealisable as some might think e.g. There is a team from Cyprus in the group stages of the Champions league this year.

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Originally Posted by third policeman

EG I admire your missionary zeal on behalf of the continuing existence of the NI team, but this debate always seems to lapse into thinly disguised political sniping. You consistently claim the mandate of speaking on behalf of NI supporters, and have also upholded the principle of "choice." There is surely one way that this debate could be resolved once and for all. let's use The Good Friday principle and actually ask the people of both parts of Ireland whether they want one ot two football teams. Now I would be completely happy to accept the result, but I kind of suspect you wouldn't. I feel your argument might be that only real NI suppoters (ie those who would be opposed to this) should have a vote. Why should Northern nationalist ("most of whom dont support NI anyway") or non-football fans have a say in this. "Sure we're all have a great wee time at Windsor park so whats the problem?"

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You do understand the the Northern Ireland International team represents the Irish Football Association, right?

A "Company", that is a member of FIFA.

I don't like Burger King, but I can't call for a public vote to decide it's future.:rolleyes:

The IFA will decide it's future. It will do so, in relation to it's International representative teams, in consultation with it's international team's supporters.

Whilst your wee survey might be very interesting, it would change absolutely nothing. It would be totally irrelevant.

I'm more than happy for a survey amongst Northern Ireland players and blook bookers though - seeing as it's them directly involved.

Happy with that?

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Originally Posted by Not Brazil

I don't think you're right - I think it's a different set of rules that determine schoolboys football ie. like where you go to school.

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Well I can't argue otherwise because I don't know myself the exact rules at that level. But my main point is that the current eligibility rules open the door for the "effective" creation of an All-Ireland team in the medium to long-term.

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Originally Posted by seanfhear

After FIFAs last deliberations on players from any part of Ireland being able to play for Ireland (ROI) there is an all-Ireland team for those that want to play for it.

For various reasons some players will not take up this opportunity and as we have seen with our "own" Stephen Ireland it is noit possible to compel players to play for a country.

Its the state of Club football on the Island of Ireland that has to be improved. Nobody is saying for certain that an all-Ireland league will be the holy grail for club football on the island but it would bring better competition to the better Clubs on the island and afterall it is competition that drives up the quality.

If this god damn economic depression had not steamrolled the country I believe that there may have been an opportunity for either the Big TV franchises or wealthy entreprenneurs to put some money into an all-Ireland league.

Hopefully when the economic depression finally lifts some body/organisation will see an opportunity and put some investment into an all-Ireland league.

Football has opportunities to develope at club level on the Island. If for example Linfiel/Glentoran/Bohemians/St Paths were to make it to the group stages of the Champions league then think of the interest/money that this would generate.

This is not as unrealisable as some might think e.g. There is a team from Cyprus in the group stages of the Champions league this year.

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The Setanta Cup has shown that there is weak appetite for a cross-border competition. The general public couldn't care less about League of Ireland football, why would joining with a league that is currently ranked lower than the Faroe Islands league suddenly capture the attention of investors and the general public alike?

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Originally Posted by ifk101

But my main point is that the current eligibility rules open the door for the "effective" creation of an All-Ireland team in the medium to long-term.

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Correct - the FAI are a, de facto, All Ireland Association.

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Originally Posted by ifk101

The Setanta Cup has shown that there is weak appetite for a cross-border competition. The general public couldn't care less about League of Ireland football, why would joining with a league that is currently ranked lower than the Faroe Islands league suddenly capture the attention of investors and the general public alike?

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Linfield/Glentoran have the potential to be successful clubs. They have large catchment areas to draw their supporters from. I do not think that too many of their potential supporters will be attracted by what the GAA has to offer;)

If either of these clubs were to qualify for the champions league group stages then there would be a lot of attention/money drawn to this.

If an all-Ireland league were to produce 1 or 2 clubs that got to the group stages of the champions league then the league would gain an enormous amount of credability/interest/money

If it can be done in Cyprus what is to say that it cannot be done on the Island of Ireland.

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Originally Posted by seanfhear

Linfield/Glentoran have the potential to be successful clubs. They have large catchment areas to draw their supporters from. I do not think that too many of their potential supporters will be attracted by what the GAA has to offer;)

If either of these clubs were to qualify for the champions league group stages then there would be a lot of attention/money drawn to this.

If an all-Ireland league were to produce 1 or 2 clubs that got to the group stages of the champions league then the league would gain an enormous amount of credability/interest/money

If it can be done in Cyprus what is to say that it cannot be done on the Island of Ireland.

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Does this "potential" success for Linfield FC and Glentoran FC not exist (if they put their minds to it) within the IL?

You seem to be suggesting that the existing EL + the Blues and Glens is the answer to all our domestic football woes.

How so?

I think IFK might be right, and you have really failed to address any of the points he/she raised.

Is cyprus' league an all-island league ?

Also, how about we make this thread a poll ?

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Originally Posted by Gather round

So successful they've repeated it in each of the 36 years since.

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And we have the IFA to thank for that. Interestingly the NI players involved including Dougan, Hamilton, Jennings and O'Neil did seem to think it was a success.

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Originally Posted by third policeman

And we have the IFA to thank for that. Interestingly the NI players involved including Dougan, Hamilton, Jennings and O'Neil did seem to think it was a success.

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Yeah - they should of just said - "this is a class idea, let's clear the desks, and fcuk what our supporters think".:D

Catch yourself on.

And...Dougan, Hamilton (subsequently managed Northern Ireland), Jennings and O'Neill (both of whom subsequently played at World Cup Finals) should have said..."That was sh**e".:D

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Originally Posted by ifk101

why would joining with a league that is currently ranked lower than the Faroe Islands league suddenly capture the attention of investors and the general public alike?

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I'll admit to giggling at that. No-one expects miracles, let along an Irish League club getting to a European quarter-final as they did in the 70s. But we should not be getting worse results in Europe than the Faroes and Liechtenstein ;)

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Originally Posted by Riddickcule

Is cyprus' league an all-island league ?

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Some of the clubs are originally from towns which are now in the Turkish-controlled part of the island (eg Anorthosis Famagusta). But they now play in the Greek sector, so basically no.

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Also, how about we make this thread a poll ?

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Go ahead, but what's the point? We already know there are some stirrers aming the South's support.

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Originally Posted by third policeman

And we have the IFA to thank for that

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Don't be absurd. Do you seriously think there's been a demand for it from NI fans?

But Best, Dougan & Jennings all spoke in favour of a United Ireland team.

Perhaps they were less :rolleyes: insecure than the fans....

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Originally Posted by ArdeeBhoy

Perhaps they were less :rolleyes: insecure than the fans....

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Trust me AB, I'm very secure...and proud of the Northern Ireland team.

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Originally Posted by Gather round

It's gibberish, not any sort of science, however many times I re-read it.

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GR - yet another sterling reply, keep it up! :rolleyes:

While my post on the subject may have been somewhat pedantic, it remains technically correct. :p

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Originally Posted by Not Brazil

Does this "potential" success for Linfield FC and Glentoran FC not exist (if they put their minds to it) within the IL?

You seem to be suggesting that the existing EL + the Blues and Glens is the answer to all our domestic football woes.

How so?

I think IFK might be right, and you have really failed to address any of the points he/she raised.

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Both the IL and the LOI have been stumbling along for donkeys years. I think that if they were going to produce the improvements in club football that we would all like to see then they would have done it by now.

An all Ireland league does not have to be any threat to the status of either International team.
So long as each FA retains their equivalent of the FA cup then they are entitled to have their International side.

If anyone has some better ideas to improve the standard and interest of club football on this Island then I would be delighted to hear them.

One advantage of a league situation over the Setanta cup is that with an home and away game against all opposition each year there is the opportunity to develope healthy rivalries;)

Also with league championships at stake and European places there would be a real desire to do well in the competition.

For any one thats worried I will repeat that an all Ireland league does not need to be a threat to either of the National sides.

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Originally Posted by seanfhear

If anyone has some better ideas to improve the standard and interest of club football on this Island then I would be delighted to hear them.

One advantage of a league situation over the Setanta cup is that with an home and away game against all opposition each year there is the opportunity to develope healthy rivalries;)

Also with league championships at stake and European places there would be a real desire to do well in the competition.

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1. An AI "Premier" league is something I'd be keen to discuss/consider. I was hoping you could explain to me how it would be truly beneficial to domestic football on this island...as I see it, it would be an EL + Linfield FC and Glentoran FC. That being the case, how would it really transform Irish domestic football?

2. Setanta Cup group matches are played "home and away".

3. There are league championships and European places available in BOTH leagues at present...how would this be a benefit, therefore, in an AI "Premier" League?

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Originally Posted by Not Brazil

1. An AI "Premier" league is something I'd be keen to discuss/consider. I was hoping you could explain to me how it would be truly beneficial to domestic football on this island...as I see it, it would be an EL + Linfield FC and Glentoran FC. That being the case, how would it really transform Irish domestic football?

2. Setanta Cup group matches are played "home and away".

3. There are league championships and European places available in BOTH leagues at present...how would this be a benefit, therefore, in an AI "Premier" League?

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increased prize money and possibly get sky involved in showing matches like ihe IL hads gotten them to do? skys advertisement wold be a big help and itv,bbc1,rte,tg4 and tv3 could show a match every week between them. lots of tv involved and possibly setanta if there alive and kill the setanta cup obviously.:)
just bloody bombard people with it!