Eligibility Rules, Okay

quite a bitter and twisted column in the Belfast Tele on thur (no I didn't buy it are you mad ?) by columnist Billy Weir ostensively about Football Focus on BBC yet couldn't resist

'but as we panned onto Lawro joined by former irish international Kevin Kilbane who both hail from the 33rd county Preston .......

'Back to the studio and Lawro (pictured in the national kit of Lancashsire )' actually an Ireland kit

'this will work , I mean look at Lawro and Kilbane two irish lads but you would think they had lived in Lancashire all their lives'

small wonder the tele is shredding readers

What a strange article. You can read it here if you like: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sp...-29535414.html

Although not half as strange as this one where he spends the whole thing labouring some joke about Rangers playing 'gallic football' on a Sunday afternoon, presumably because he doesn't realise that 'Gallic' refers to France, not Scotland.

That article should be too wacky to gender any offence, Newryrep?

Though nice to see that Billy recognises the 32 county unit.

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Originally Posted by Billy Weir

... Derek MacAoidh and Uisdean MacIllinnein in the commentary box. I have no idea if they are actual people or a conundrum in a Gallic version of Countdown.

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I don't know whether to laugh or cry but Jesus wept. :(

Who is Billy Weir and what's his gripe anyway? Just a very bitter man?

By my analysis, Weir appears to be an analyst analysing analysts' analysis. For whatever reason, he's also analysed RTÉ's GAA analysis on occasion: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sp...-28484093.html

In other news, Windsor Park still a lovely place altogether for taigs...

'Reds duo Boyce and Devlin need PSNI escorts after Windsor game': http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23916307

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Cliftonville's Liam Boyce says he and club-mate Conor Devlin needed police escorts after receiving sectarian abuse while watching Saturday's Premiership game between Linfield and Glentoran.

Boyce said that one supporter had threatened to "cut our throats" as the Reds duo watched the Windsor Park game.

"All fans were dead on and having a bit of banter but there is always one to ruin it," said Boyce on Twitter.

Boyce said that the fan had directed further sectarian abuse at them.

"(He was) Shouting, 'Boyce, Devlin, I'll cut your throats on (the) way out'.

"We had to get a lift (with the police) to (our) car and (be) escorted from ground by police. Was sheep white," continued Boyce.

The Cliftonville striker was unavailable for comment on Saturday evening but BBC Sport has established that he did post the tweets which are at the centre of the story.

Boyce watched the game alongside Linfield supporters after receiving tickets from one of the Windsor Park team's squad.

"The irony is that a Linfield player was friendly enough to give us his tickets. Still in shock," continued Boyce on Twitter.

"So you can't go to a football game to watch a match? I expect banter not sectarianism and death threats."

Boyce added that the supporter who abused him and Devlin "was a man (of) at least 30 with about three friends and a kid aged about 12".

Keeper Devlin later added on Twitter: "Death threats, Coins...and police escort aside, I really enjoyed Blues v Glens with (Liam Boyce) today."

Neither of the Cliftonville players are believed to have made official complaints to the Police following the game.

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Not sure what he or anyone else expected. Pretty daft of the two lads who went in my book.

Some choice Twitter responses:

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Some Irish League boys have a very high opinion of themselves. Its Irish League, Not La Liga. So stay @ home & watch Final Score! #bigtimers

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totally agree mate 100% if you go into your biggest rivals end to watch a match your asking for trouble

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what do youse expect to hear? Brass neck coming in the home end..

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complete madness from both players what did they expect ffs stop playing the victim lads

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I suppose that makes it all the fault of Boyce and Devlin then...

I wonder how the instigators of the threats and abuse were dealt with.

At least they weren't called barstoolers.

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Originally Posted by DannyInvincible

I wonder how the instigators of the threats and abuse were dealt with.

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More than one instigator?

According to Boyce, there were at least four men and a kid involved: https://twitter.com/LiamBoyce9/statu...44257377116160

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It was a man at least 30 with about 3 friends and a kid aged about 12 doing it!

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by DannyInvincible

By my analysis, Weir appears to be an analyst analysing analysts' analysis.

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http://24.media.tumblr.com/ab451328f...j1z0o1_500.gif

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Originally Posted by geysir

That article should be too wacky to gender any offence, Newryrep?

Though nice to see that Billy recognises the 32 county unit.

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That was nice though doubt it was his intention

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Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

At least they weren't called barstoolers.

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Or 'Gallic'...

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Originally Posted by Predator

Or 'Gallic'...

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Frequently, the way we play stinks so much, I've heard some deride it as garlic football!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DannyInvincible

Frequently, the way we play stinks so much, I've heard some deride it as garlic football!

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To be fair you don't leek many goals.

I understand the perpetrators of the sectarian threats against Boyce and Devlin have been reported to the Public Prosecution Service.

Meanwhile, Patrick McEleney discusses his switch to the IFA and Trap's alleged neglect for the League of Ireland: http://www.goal.com/en-ie/news/3942/...gue-says-derry

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Originally Posted by Goal

The winger believes that the Republic of Ireland boss will never look to the League of Ireland for senior international players but praised Michael O'Neill and Noel King

Derry City midfielder Patrick McEleney has expressed doubts over Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni's interest in Ireland's domestic league.

Despite the recognition of Airtricity Premier Division players such as Derry's Barry McNamee and Cork City winger Daryl Horgan at under-age level, the Italian tactician has not fielded one player from the League of Ireland since taking over in 2008.

Brian Murphy was called up in November 2009 before his move from Bohemians to Ipswich but did not play and McEleney believes that players need to be plying their trade in Britain in order to catch the eye of the former Juventus boss.

"I think Trapattoni will never look towards our league for senior international players," McEleney told Goal. "You would have to be playing across the water [in Britain] for him to acknowledge you. As for promoting, I'm not sure he would do it."

McEleney is currently awaiting Fifa clearance in order to complete his switch from the Republic of Ireland to Northern Ireland, but the process has been delayed as the player waits for a British passport.

The 20-year-old, who has been capped at under-17 and under-19 level for the Republic of Ireland made the decision to switch after consulting Ireland under-21 boss Noel King and Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill.

"It was just to play international football as quick as I could," he said of his decision to switch international allegiance. "But now the whole passport situation is stopping me which is a nightmare.

"I had a few chats with Noel King and he was fair with me and said he didn't want me to leave," he added.

"But after chatting with Michael O'Neill and Steven Robinson, I like their plans. The passport thing is just annoying because I want to play."

McEleney praised the former Shamrock Rovers boss for his knowledge of the Airtricity Premier Division and also saluted former Derry City and Finn Harps manager Noel King, who has called up several domestic-based players, for his attention to the league.

"Michael O'Neill still knows a lot about our league as he managed in it. Noel King also, he's been at a lot of games, so they do their work on the league," he said.

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It still puzzles me as to how or why McEleney has been led to believe that the possession of a British passport is a prerequisite for eligibility to play for the IFA.

Tom Mohan, our under-17s manager, is also said to have his eye on another Derry youngster, Josh Tracey, who is currently in the NI under-19 squad at the age of 16: http://www.derryjournal.com/sport/fo...quad-1-5449906

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Originally Posted by Derry Journal

A tug-o’-war could well develop for one of Derry City’s young players who is on the periphery of making his competitive Airtricity League debut.

St. Brigid’s College pupil, Josh Tracey, has been called into the Northern Ireland Under-19 panel despite the fact that he’s aged just 16!

The striker, who has appeared on the substitutes’ bench in recent matches for the “Candy Stripes,” will join Stephen Craigan’s side which travels to Austria for a friendly fixture on Wednesday, September 11th next.

The former Top of the Hill Derry & District Youth player has already represented the Northern Ireland Under-17 squad and it’s understood that former Derry City winger, Tom Mohan, the manager of the Republic of Ireland Under-17’s was highly impressed when watching the Galliagh lad perform in previous international fixtures.

Tracey will clearly be the youngest player in the squad, but his elevation to this level given his age is considered hugely significant.

Indeed, Josh will join fellow teenager, Aaron McEneff in the N. Ireland squad, the former Institute midfield playmakers now on the books of Tottenham Hotspur where he has been playing regularly for the reserve team at White Hart Lane.

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just stick him into the boot of the car.

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Originally Posted by geysir

just stick him into the boot of the car.

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If only we had Don Givens recruiting still, all would be fine! :rolleyes:

This is a bit of a surprise as paramilitaristic murals had become unfashionable over the past few years, but I suppose it is indicative of the underlying tension (or siege mentality, even) within the loyalist community that was exacerbated by and boiled to the surface recently with the fleg matter along with another heated marching season; the George Best mural in Sydenham, Belfast is being painted over with the image of a masked gunman: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-23958659

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/image...ebestmural.jpg

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/image...2_image(5).jpg

Looks more more like a West Belfast circa 1980s job.
Never mind oppressed I'm bloody depressed