Eligibility Rules, Okay

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Originally Posted by Olé Olé

Looks like the North are going with Tommy Wright as their new manager. After Michael O'Neill created a more welcoming environment for those of Catholic/Nationalist backgrounds, it will be interesting to see if UDR-supporter Wright can keep up that work: https://twitter.com/ChuckReboots/sta...191066112?s=19

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Vincent Sweeney (ex-DCFC) thinks Tommy would be great for the job:

“Tommy was amazing for me and he changed my career,” he said. “He took a special interest in me at Limavady and he took my game to a different level.

“He had a massive impact on me,” he said. “He demanded a lot from you, but I loved every moment playing under Tommy.

“It doesn’t surprise me that he has gone on to do what he’s done in management and that he’s now being linked with an international job.
https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/sport/...erves-18311783

They must be in the same lodge...

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Originally Posted by EalingGreen

Vincent Sweeney (ex-DCFC) thinks Tommy would be great for the job:

“Tommy was amazing for me and he changed my career,” he said. “He took a special interest in me at Limavady and he took my game to a different level.

“He had a massive impact on me,” he said. “He demanded a lot from you, but I loved every moment playing under Tommy.

“It doesn’t surprise me that he has gone on to do what he’s done in management and that he’s now being linked with an international job.
https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/sport/...erves-18311783

They must be in the same lodge...

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That's Tommy's alibi, his catholic friend who stands by him to the end.

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Originally Posted by geysir

That's Tommy's alibi, his catholic friend who stands by him to the end.

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I'm not sure whether that is some sort of clever reference which I don't get, or whether it's meant to be taken as read.

Assuming it's the latter, then by the presumption of innocence which everyone deserves - even evil Black Prods - it should be for Tommy's detractors to find Catholics who do consider him a bigot, rather than his admirers to list all those who don't.

Though when I say "Catholics" (plural), I'd accept even one out of the hundreds he has worked with during his long career in NI, ROI and Scotland.

You know, to set against all those who have only good things to say about him, incl those who happily apply to work for him.

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Originally Posted by EalingGreen

I'm not sure whether that is some sort of clever reference which I don't get, or whether it's meant to be taken as read.

Assuming it's the latter, then by the presumption of innocence which everyone deserves - even evil Black Prods - it should be for Tommy's detractors to find Catholics who do consider him a bigot, rather than his admirers to list all those who don't.

Though when I say "Catholics" (plural), I'd accept even one out of the hundreds he has worked with during his long career in NI, ROI and Scotland.

You know, to set against all those who have only good things to say about him, incl those who happily apply to work for him.

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Still the same old Ealing Green, absent of humour.:)
Did you really 100% think I was serious? perhaps it was just 96%. You really need to listen more to the 4%.

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Originally Posted by EalingGreen

I'm not sure whether that is some sort of clever reference which I don't get, or whether it's meant to be taken as read.

Assuming it's the latter, then by the presumption of innocence which everyone deserves - even evil Black Prods - it should be for Tommy's detractors to find Catholics who do consider him a bigot, rather than his admirers to list all those who don't.

Though when I say "Catholics" (plural), I'd accept even one out of the hundreds he has worked with during his long career in NI, ROI and Scotland.

You know, to set against all those who have only good things to say about him, incl those who happily apply to work for him.

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Would that be good for their Health.

Perhaps we should get Neil Lennon’s Opines on the Northern Ireland situation ?

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Originally Posted by geysir

Still the same old Ealing Green, absent of humour.:)
Did you really 100% think I was serious? perhaps it was just 96%. You really need to listen more to the 4%.

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Nope, wasn't sure about the original post.

Still not completely sure about this one, tbh.

Oh well.

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Originally Posted by seanfhear

Would that be good for their Health.

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Er, what do the likes of Vincent Sweeney have to lose? That makes no sense, since anyone worried about consequences could always just keep quiet.

Instead, we have people from all backgrounds queuing up to vouch for him, even work for him.

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Originally Posted by seanfhear

Perhaps we should get Neil Lennon’s Opines on the Northern Ireland situation ?

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"Whataboutery" - the last resort when someones case has been exposed as nothing more than ignorant, uninformed prejudice.

Btw, which "Neil Lennon" are you referring to? The one whose first six years playing for NI coincided with the last six years of a certain "Tommy Wright"?

Or the one who has crossed swords with Tommy manys a time on the touchline in the SPL, without any evidence whatever of personal animosity?

You should quit while you're behind.

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Originally Posted by EalingGreen

Er, what do the likes of Vincent Sweeney have to lose?

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He is a moron. Has become social media “famous” in Derry the past 8 weeks due to his rambling nonsensical videos and having well broadcast fight in a shopping complex with another local personal trainer in the middle of it all before you go telling others to quit while they are behind you may want to validate the source of the opinion you are quoting because there is no one would put any stock in what the man says.

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Originally Posted by EalingGreen

Er, what do the likes of Vincent Sweeney have to lose? That makes no sense, since anyone worried about consequences could always just keep quiet.

Instead, we have people from all backgrounds queuing up to vouch for him, even work for him.

"Whataboutery" - the last resort when someones case has been exposed as nothing more than ignorant, uninformed prejudice.

Btw, which "Neil Lennon" are you referring to? The one whose first six years playing for NI coincided with the last six years of a certain "Tommy Wright"?

Or the one who has crossed swords with Tommy manys a time on the touchline in the SPL, without any evidence whatever of personal animosity?

You should quit while you're behind.

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Did you not resort to utter "whataboutery" in response to my post i.e. well if Tommy Wright is seen wearing a loyalist badge, what about former LOI nobody saying he got on with Wright? It was an absolute stab in the dark at "whataboutery". In fact, it was based on prejudice too because you had to dig so deep to find someone with an Irish surname that played for Derry City to provide some semblance of evidence.

I'm all for alternative points of view. I feel, however, you veer so far into the territories of double standards that it renders your alternative points of view laughable all too frequently.

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Originally Posted by DCWA

He is a moron. Has become social media “famous” in Derry the past 8 weeks due to his rambling nonsensical videos and having well broadcast fight in a shopping complex with another local personal trainer in the middle of it all before you go telling others to quit while they are behind you may want to validate the source of the opinion you are quoting because there is no one would put any stock in what the man says.

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Whether a "moron" or otherwise, how does that invalidate his opinion that TW treated him very well during his time working for him?

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Originally Posted by EalingGreen

Er, what do the likes of Vincent Sweeney have to lose? That makes no sense, since anyone worried about consequences could always just keep quiet.

Instead, we have people from all backgrounds queuing up to vouch for him, even work for him.

"Whataboutery" - the last resort when someones case has been exposed as nothing more than ignorant, uninformed prejudice.

Btw, which "Neil Lennon" are you referring to? The one whose first six years playing for NI coincided with the last six years of a certain "Tommy Wright"?

Or the one who has crossed swords with Tommy manys a time on the touchline in the SPL, without any evidence whatever of personal animosity?

You should quit while you're behind.

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I meant players that are playing for Northern Ireland or going to (possibly ) play for Northern Ireland !

I believe as Neil Lennon went through some of the bad consequences of playing for Northern Ireland that his opines would be good and does he regret playing for Northern Ireland etc etc.

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Originally Posted by Olé Olé

Did you not resort to utter "whataboutery" in response to my post i.e. well if Tommy Wright is seen wearing a loyalist badge, what about former LOI nobody saying he got on with Wright? It was an absolute stab in the dark at "whataboutery". In fact, it was based on prejudice too because you had to dig so deep to find someone with an Irish surname that played for Derry City to provide some semblance of evidence.

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No I did not.

Whataboutery is when discussing "X" (in this case Wright), someone comes back with "Y" (in this case Lennon).

Whereas when we were discussing Wright, I pointed to all the numerous examples of Wright working happily and successfully with literally hundreds of people with a CNR background over two decades in NI, ROI and Scotland, many of whom are now vouching for him, Wright.

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Originally Posted by Olé Olé

I'm all for alternative points of view. I feel, however, you veer so far into the territories of double standards that it renders your alternative points of view laughable all too frequently.

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The only thing which is "laughable" is your inability to understand a simple concept like Whataboutery.

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Originally Posted by seanfhear

I meant players that are playing for Northern Ireland or going to (possibly ) play for Northern Ireland !

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So you're basing your case on your speculation that some unnamed, unidentified player or players might not want to play for NI under Wright.

You have absolutely no evidence for same, while I have the counter-evidence of literally hundreds who have worked for, alongside and over* him, not one of whom has ever cast any aspersions, even obliquely, on his character. On the contrary, many are speaking up for him voluntarily (eg Sweeney), and/or applying to work for him (eg Maybury).


* - People who have employed TW include eg Michael O'Neill, who took him to Shamrock Rovers to be their Goalkeeping Coach. That's the Shamrock Rovers who play in Dublin btw. In the LOI. In the Irish Republic.

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Originally Posted by seanfhear

I believe as Neil Lennon went through some of the bad consequences of playing for Northern Ireland that his opines would be good and does he regret playing for Northern Ireland etc etc.

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OK, I'll bite.

Here are two examples of what NL has had to say, the first was in 2001 while he was playing for NI, the second was after he retired in 2011.


Neil Lennon paid tribute to the Northern Ireland fans after he received nothing but cheers from the supporters in Saturday's World Cup qualifier against the Czech Republic.

However, the Celtic midfielder was "gutted" by Northern Ireland's 1-0 defeat after what he described as a "tremendous performance".

"I'm really sorry for the lads because the efforts they put in were magnificent.

"But the support out there today from the fans was brilliant.

"That is what Northern Ireland football should be all about.

"The atmosphere today was as good as it's ever been since I've been involved with Northern Ireland," added Lennon.

The home fans sang `There's only one Neil Lennon' at the end and manager Sammy McIlroy was delighted at the response of the 10,000 crowd.

"The crowd were 100% behind every player, Neil Lennon included," said McIlroy.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foot...02/1240496.stm

and

“People like Stewart [McAfee, of 'Football For All'] are the Unsung Heroes who have been brave enough to challenge sectarianism and who have actively created a more fun, safe and family orientated atmosphere at international games. Fans like Stewart have made the atmosphere at Northern Ireland football games in recent years the envy of Fans across not only Europe but World Football. From a personal point of view I would like to thank them for their efforts.”
(The above is from a video message NL sent to an IFA Awards Evening in Belfast, which NL couldn't attend since he was on Celtic duty)

Then again, I'm sure Neil is capable of distinguishing between some scumbag who threatens him and the great majority of ordinary, decent fans who are really only interested in football, if only because he knows the latter. Unlike you.

And he also knows - and has played with - Tommy Wright, yet has never to my knowledge had a problem with him. Which considering the volatile nature of both men, who currently have to operate in a bearpit like the SPL, must be unique.

But maybe you know better. :rolleyes:

Doth Thou Protest Too Much ? ? ? Ealing Green !

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Originally Posted by seanfhear

Doth Thou Protest Too Much ? ? ? Ealing Green !

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Er, it was 'Ole Ole' in post #7590 who first "protested" about TW possibly being up for the NI manager's job in this, a thread dealing with Player Eligibility, nine months after the previous post.

And it was you who piled in the same evening, to add your own protest.

And if I am contributing, it is only in response to such ignorant, ill-informed and prejudicial protests.

As I'm having to do now, sadly.

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Originally Posted by EalingGreen

Whether a "moron" or otherwise, how does that invalidate his opinion that TW treated him very well during his time working for him?

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Someone being an absolute buffoon removes credibility from basically every opinion they provide imo.

Anyway if NI hire Wright then it won’t be his politics that further helps the FAI get the pick of talented players from nationalist backgrounds it will be the crap football and inevitable return to the doldrums.

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Originally Posted by DCWA

Someone being an absolute buffoon removes credibility from basically every opinion they provide imo.

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So Sweeney isn't even capable of judging that TW treated him very well during his time working for him?

Aye, right.

P.S. Anything to say about VS's postscript to his comment on Wright?
“It’s the same with Stephen Kenny. I worked under both and they were inspirational figures. It was a privilege playing for two successful managers like that.”

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Originally Posted by DCWA

Anyway if NI hire Wright then it won’t be his politics that further helps the FAI get the pick of talented players from nationalist backgrounds it will be the crap football and inevitable return to the doldrums.

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We'll take our chance on that, thanks very much.

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Originally Posted by EalingGreen

.

P.S. Anything to say about VS's postscript to his comment on Wright?
“It’s the same with Stephen Kenny. I worked under both and they were inspirational figures. It was a privilege playing for two successful managers like that.”

ch.

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Absolutely I do and thanks for asking, he played for a brief period (and very rarely) under SK in our year in the first few months of our season in the 1st division so in truth knows little about him but likes to massage his ego by being associated with the Ireland national manager in a Belfast news source (for the want of a better term).

Anyway I don’t really care about Tommy Wright at all and my original comment was designed to point out that the man who’s opinion you were using as the sole basis for your argument should be taken with a bottle as opposed to a pinch of salt.

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Originally Posted by DCWA

Anyway I don’t really care about Tommy Wright at all and my original comment was designed to point out that the man who’s opinion you were using as the sole basis for your argument should be taken with a bottle as opposed to a pinch of salt.

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"Sole basis"?

If eg you refer back to my post #7593, you'll see where I replied to the question: "Why would any Catholic/Nationalist/Republican want to play for [Wright]?" with:

"Why don't you ask eg Joe Shaughnessy, Graham Cummings, David McMillan, Patrick Cregg or Tim Clancy? (Those being the ROI players he signed for St.Johnstone)

Or Alan Maybury, who he took on as Assistant Coach a couple of years back.

Or the dozens of CNR players he coached/managed previously eg at Limavady, Ballymena and Distillery, or with NI's under-age teams?

Or if those are too far from your neck of the woods, you could ask any of the players he coached at Shamrock Rovers.

You know, when he was appointed by his good friend and former teammate, Michael O'Neill..."

You see, one of the factors which has distinguished Tommy's career in management is his ability to get the best from his players, even when they're otherwise limited. Which is hardly going to be sustained down the years if the guy's got the unpleasant, bigoted personality which some people try to ascribe to him.

Then again, mere evidence like that probably holds no weight with those self-same small-minded people when they're determined to hold onto their prejudices about "themmuns" no matter what.

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Originally Posted by EalingGreen

Nope, wasn't sure about the original post.

Still not completely sure about this one, tbh.

Oh well.

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You can be sure.
It's okay not to be completely sure, but to be 90% sure is a safe bet.

I think Tommy Wright would be a good choice for NI but it's a difficult task at this stage for anyone to pick up the NI baton and expect him to get similar results.