NI Boss targets Republics Kane

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Originally Posted by EalingGreen

You made the claim, you back it up.

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Here's some comments by yourself on the thread regarding Gibson, Kane and O'Connor and this is only a few pages in. I can't be bothered to look for more. I'm sure I can recollect plenty more such comments both on ourweecountry.com and on some of the earlier threads discussing this matter on here which would take an age to find.

No doubt all those who have represented the ROI would say they, not the FAI, made the first approach: that's how "tapping up" works.

More pertinent are the cases of players who've not represented ROI, but stuck with NI, despite allegedly being approached - McKenna and Baird are two who've been mentioned on this site.

On a more general note, some of the posters here seem to think the FAI have a religious, or political, motive in tapping up our players. I don't think that has anything to do with it; rather, in their efforts to get the best possible team, they'd give a Passport to Osama Bin Laden if they thought he could do a job for them.

The only reason they appear to be targeting youngsters from a Catholic/Nationalist background will be because those from a Prod/Unionist background are much less likely to say "Yes", and much more likely to blow the whistle.

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Originally Posted by youngirish

Here's some comments by yourself on the thread regarding Gibson, Kane and O'Connor and this is only a few pages in. I can't be bothered to look for more. I'm sure I can recollect plenty more such comments both on ourweecountry.com and on some of the earlier threads discussing this matter on here which would take an age to find.

No doubt all those who have represented the ROI would say they, not the FAI, made the first approach: that's how "tapping up" works.

More pertinent are the cases of players who've not represented ROI, but stuck with NI, despite allegedly being approached - McKenna and Baird are two who've been mentioned on this site.

On a more general note, some of the posters here seem to think the FAI have a religious, or political, motive in tapping up our players. I don't think that has anything to do with it; rather, in their efforts to get the best possible team, they'd give a Passport to Osama Bin Laden if they thought he could do a job for them.

The only reason they appear to be targeting youngsters from a Catholic/Nationalist background will be because those from a Prod/Unionist background are much less likely to say "Yes", and much more likely to blow the whistle.

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And where in that post do I mention Gibson, Kane, O'Connor or Wilson, the four players whom you allege I claimed were "tapped up"? You really are making yourself look foolish.

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Originally Posted by EalingGreen

And where in that post do I mention Gibson, Kane, O'Connor or Wilson, the four players whom you allege I claimed were "tapped up"? You really are making yourself look foolish.

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The thread was titled Gibson, O'Connor, Kane go to the Darkside. What other players were you talking about on a thread with this title? My understanding is that you use the examples of McKenna and Baird who admitted to being "tapped up" and imply that the same may have occurred regarding the players being discussed. Anyway even if you were referring to other players the initial point I made is no less valid so what's your point? You really aren't too bright are you?

Anyway here's another of your posts two pages on (I'm on page 9 and there are over 90 so I reckon there are a few more from you about the same subject).

On the other point, it is hardly coincidence that the Northern players approached, doing the approaching, or actually switching to the ROI are invariably from a Catholic/Nationalist background. Therefore, unless you think that the FAI has never made the first approach, the inevitable conclusion to be drawn is either:
1. They aren't interested in their fellow Irishmen when they are Prods/Unionists; or
2. They are afraid that not only might Prods/Unionists rebuff them, but they might also reveal some practices that the FAI wish to keep under wraps.
Either way, it is pretty shabby of them, to say the least.

P.S. I don't know (or care) for certain what religion Gibson is, but he went to a Catholic school in Derry: probably just another one of those coincidences, eh?

Who were you referring to being approached by the FAI here? Gus Caesar?

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Originally Posted by EalingGreen

And where in that post do I mention Gibson, Kane, O'Connor or Wilson, the four players whom you allege I claimed were "tapped up"? You really are making yourself look foolish.

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I too saw you make the allegations of tapping up on ourweeminds, so the only person making a tw*t of themselves on here is you. As someone who likes to hassle OTHER people into staying strictly on topic, who else were you talking about that time?

Besides, if there is a gentleman's agreement, and Kerr broke it, there is no tapping up to be done. Tapping up has to do with underhand, illegal approaches. Nothing illegal I see here. If the FAI approached the players eligible, they are perfectly entitled to do so. More likely someone close to the player told the FAI that the player was a keen Ireland fan, so approach him. You're right about unionist players being less inclined to accept - very stating the bloody obvious here - but more than likely no one would petition on their behalf. I doubt it has anything to do with a policy of not picking 'Prods', which is what you - and the nappy boys on OWM - imply it is.

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Originally Posted by WembleyGreen

New boy here!

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Welcome aboard. Got a bit of a fright though, as I initially thought you might be Ealing's brother from up the A406. :D;)

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Originally Posted by youngirish

The thread was titled Gibson, O'Connor, Kane go to the Darkside. What other players were you talking about on a thread with this title? My understanding is that you use to case of McKenna and Baird who admitted to being "tapped up" and imply that the same may have occurred regarding the players being discussed. Anyway even if you were referring to other players the initial point I made is no less valid so what's your point? You really aren't too bright are you?

Anyway here's another of your posts two pages on (I'm on page 9 and there are over 90 so I reckon there are a few more from you about the same subject).

On the other point, it is hardly coincidence that the Northern players approached, doing the approaching, or actually switching to the ROI are invariably from a Catholic/Nationalist background. Therefore, unless you think that the FAI has never made the first approach, the inevitable conclusion to be drawn is either:
1. They aren't interested in their fellow Irishmen when they are Prods/Unionists; or
2. They are afraid that not only might Prods/Unionists rebuff them, but they might also reveal some practices that the FAI wish to keep under wraps.
Either way, it is pretty shabby of them, to say the least.

P.S. I don't know (or care) for certain what religion Gibson is, but he went to a Catholic school in Derry: probably just another one of those coincidences, eh?

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The thread is about NI-born players switching to the ROI, which the thread opener (Glen Man) mentioned in the context of the three players about whom it was then most pertinent.

But whilst discussing the subject generally, I do not recall stating that any of those three players, or Wilson, was tapped up.

In the particular post you've quoted, I did mention Gibson, but in another context*. And even there, if you read what I actually posted, I left it open that his opting for the ROI might have been since he was one of:
"...the Northern players approached, doing the approaching, or actually switching to the ROI..."
That is, DG might have "done the approaching".

Try harder next time.




* - Someone questioned DG's religion and I pointed out from his Wikipedia entry that he had gone to a Catholic school in Derry, so was most likely Catholic.

Chill people chill!!

Lets all take a deep breath!!

Talk about waffling on!!! NI is clearly an exception to all things conventional.

I think any reasonable person would agree it should be the individuals choice. Cut off should be immediately. I.e. the minute you step on the field for a country at any age then thatss your team.

One things EG though. I think the FAI should be allowed ask players like Baird etc.. if they wanna play for ROI. I dont think thats 'tapping up'. If they say no they feel Northern Irish then grand.

Deep sdown, despite your well constructed arguments EG, i think you realise that you cant stop a fella from the North playing for ROI if that is where he wants to play.

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Originally Posted by EalingGreen

Actually, since it was disclosed that Kane is returning to the fold, the reaction to him on OWC has been almost universally favourable, so it really is a very "few".

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And he's suddenly become a very good player again strangely enough. A week ago he was footballing lump of wood.:D

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Originally Posted by youngirish

Here's some comments by yourself on the thread regarding Gibson, Kane and O'Connor and this is only a few pages in. I can't be bothered to look for more. I'm sure I can recollect plenty more such comments both on ourweecountry.com and on some of the earlier threads discussing this matter on here which would take an age to find.

No doubt all those who have represented the ROI would say they, not the FAI, made the first approach: that's how "tapping up" works.

More pertinent are the cases of players who've not represented ROI, but stuck with NI, despite allegedly being approached - McKenna and Baird are two who've been mentioned on this site.

On a more general note, some of the posters here seem to think the FAI have a religious, or political, motive in tapping up our players. I don't think that has anything to do with it; rather, in their efforts to get the best possible team, they'd give a Passport to Osama Bin Laden if they thought he could do a job for them.

The only reason they appear to be targeting youngsters from a Catholic/Nationalist background will be because those from a Prod/Unionist background are much less likely to say "Yes", and much more likely to blow the whistle.

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A case of trying to speak out of both sides of your mouth at once.:D

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Originally Posted by Juanace

Deep down, despite your well constructed arguments EG, i think you realise that you cant stop a fella from the North playing for ROI if that is where he wants to play.

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This is the vital point and long may it continue that we can give the lads ( and ladies) up there citizenship and and a place on our team for those who want it and merit it.

And basically this is what EG wants to bring a halt to.

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Originally Posted by Juanace

I think any reasonable person would agree it should be the individuals choice.

Cut off should be immediately. I.e. the minute you step on the field for a country at any age then thatss your team.

One things EG though. I think the FAI should be allowed ask players like Baird etc.. if they wanna play for ROI. I dont think thats 'tapping up'. If they say no they feel Northern Irish then grand.

Deep sdown, despite your well constructed arguments EG, i think you realise that you cant stop a fella from the North playing for ROI if that is where he wants to play.

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Where a player is eligible under the Rules to represent more than one Association, then of course it must be his choice - to deny him that would indeed be unreasonable. However, I am merely questioning whether Gibson et al really are eligible for two Associations. (Note my use of "are", rather than "should be", which is a different issue)

As for a cut-off, I personally would allow players to switch at least until 16, preferably until 18, since youngsters aren't always in a position to make an informed decision and can be subject to extraneous influences (agents, managers etc).

As for "tapping up" a player who has already appeared to have made his choice, we'll have to agree to disagree on that one, but if you think about it, your "any age" cut-off would prevent probably the majority of players from being "tapped up", since they usually only come to the attention of the FAI after they have first represented the IFA.

As for your last point, not only could I not prevent an NI-born player from opting for the ROI (provided, of course, he is eligible), but I wouldn't want to prevent a player exercising such a choice.

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Originally Posted by Maroon 7

And he's suddenly become a very good player again strangely enough. A week ago he was footballing lump of wood.:D

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Aye, but that's football fans for you. Away from the NI context, how many e.g. Man Utd fans gave dogs abuse to Eric Cantona when he was at Leeds? Then what happened? ;)

P.S. If you actually read the threads on OWC, there are quite a few individuals there who have always rated Kane highly - which is why his (temporary) defection to the ROI bit so hard.

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Originally Posted by EalingGreen

As for your last point, not only could I not prevent an NI-born player from opting for the ROI (provided, of course, he is eligible), but I wouldn't want to prevent a player exercising such a choice.

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EG , you don't want anyone born in NI to be eligible to play for anyone except NI though , do you ?

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Originally Posted by RogerMilla

This is the vital point and long may it continue that we can give the lads ( and ladies) up there citizenship and and a place on our team for those who want it and merit it.

And basically this is what EG wants to bring a halt to.

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In so far as I consider that FIFA's Rules may be being broken by the FAI, I want to see them enforced, the effect of which would be to prevent the likes of Gibson representing the ROI.

But throughout all my long correspondance on this topic, both here and on OWC, I have consistently argued this for footballing reasons and nothing else.

If it should turn out that FIFA backs the IFA on this case, then whether a player has stuck with NI all along (e.g. Chris Baird), has been persuaded to revert to NI (e.g. Tony Kane) or maintains an "ROI or nothing" stance (e.g. Darron Gibson), this does not affect his political, constitutional or human rights one jot: all three will continue to be every bit as "Irish" as they ever where.

Additionally, if they are sufficiently good enough, they can assert their Irishness on the playing field by representing one* of the two Irish football teams on this island, as well.


* - The one that is "Original and Best", as it happens! ;)

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Originally Posted by RogerMilla

EG , you don't want anyone born in NI to be eligible to play for anyone except NI though , do you ?

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See my simultaneous post, RM. Anyhow, I can see both sides of the argument, which is why I am happy to leave it to a neutral party (FIFA) to decide. I hope they decide such that my team has the maximum number of players available to it. But if they decide that the likes of Gibson etc may opt for the ROI, then I say "Good Luck" to him.

Our team has been in existence for 127 years, during which time it has seen off more serious challenges than this, so I'm sure we'll cope with this latest, whichever way it falls.

Onwards and Upwards!

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Originally Posted by Maroon 7

A case of trying to speak out of both sides of your mouth at once.:D

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How so? :confused:

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Originally Posted by EalingGreen

As for "tapping up" a player who has already appeared to have made his choice, we'll have to agree to disagree on that one, but if you think about it, your "any age" cut-off would prevent probably the majority of players from being "tapped up", since they usually only come to the attention of the FAI after they have first represented the IFA.

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That description of "tapping up" EG looks very much like it should apply to what the IFA has done to Kane and Gibson in recent weeks. One rule for them though and another for everyone else eh?

You seem like a reasonably clever bloke. Surely you must realise the amount of insane, illogical, tripe on this matter that has been posted by yourself and the majority of your mates on ourweecountry.com over the past few months. You are contradicting your earlier posts ffs at this stage. At least be consistent if your going to be illogical??!!!

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Originally Posted by youngirish

That description of "tapping up" EG looks very much like it should apply to what the IFA has done to Kane and Gibson in recent weeks. One rule for them though and another for everyone else eh?

You seem like a reasonably clever bloke. Surely you must realise that the amount of insane, illogical, tripe on this matter that has been posted by yourself and the majority of your mates on ourweecountry.com over the past few months. You are contradicting your earlier posts ffs at this stage. At least be consistent if your going to be illogical??!!!

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Good Grief! The whole point about "tapping up" is that the offender is tapping up the player/manager etc of another team! Gibson, Kane, Baird, McKenna were all NI players (for various under-age teams) before they either approached, or were approached by, the FAI.

And could you supply me with even one example of where I have been either illogical or contradictory, on this Board or any other?

It's only a few posts since you accused me of having claimed that Gibson, Kane, O'Connor and Wilson were all approached first by the FAI, yet you are still unable to produce any evidence of same.

P.S. Thank you for your "reasonably clever" compliment. You probably have no idea how much it pleased and amused me to hear that from you! ;)

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Originally Posted by EalingGreen

Good Grief! The whole point about "tapping up" is that the offender is tapping up the player/manager etc of another team! Gibson, Kane, Baird, McKenna were all NI players (for various under-age teams) before they either approached, or were approached by, the FAI.


P.S. Thank you for your "reasonably clever" compliment. You probably have no idea how much it pleased and amused me to hear that from you! ;)

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Yes and Kane and Gibson were ROI players (that's another team) before the IFA tried to get them back on board so to speak. No? You can't see this? Too complicated for you? Ok let's move on. You're not quite grasping this are you?

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Originally Posted by EalingGreen

And could you supply me with even one example of where I have been either illogical or contradictory, on this Board or any other?

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See above argument on "tapping up" and earlier conspiracy theories by yourself on ourweecountry.com regarding FAI "tapping up".

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Originally Posted by EalingGreen

It's only a few posts since you accused me of having claimed that Gibson, Kane, O'Connor and Wilson were all approached first by the FAI, yet you are still unable to produce any evidence of same.

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I already have, twice. Read some of my previous posts again and stop skimming over them and skipping the big words. There are many other examples on ourweecountry.com were you assert that the FAI "tapped up" some players (Baird, McKenna) and speculate that they have done the same for O'Connor, Gibson and Kane. I already listed some of these how many more such nonsense do I have to drag up before you'll admit you are talking your usual crap albeit dressed up in long posts with large words to confuse the less gifted amongst us?

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Originally Posted by EalingGreen

P.S. Thank you for your "reasonably clever" compliment. You probably have no idea how much it pleased and amused me to hear that from you!

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You're welcome but perhaps it was a bit premature considering you still can't grasp any of the points above and see how ridiculous they make some of your previous bile on this matter look. You also can't quite seem to grasp the merits of a logical argument. In fact basic logic of all kinds doesn't seem to register with you so I take back what I said earlier. Accept my sincerest apologies.

Delighted the Worthy has picked young Tony Kane for the forthcoming double header.

Delighted also that Tony has accepted the invitation.

Depending on how the matches pan out, I'm sure Worthy will take the opportunity to reward him with his first senior International cap.

Also good to see Celtic's Mickey McGovern elevated to the senior squad for Latvia & Iceland, following the (pathetic) withdrawal of Roy Carroll.