All-Ireland representative team survey

Would you like to see an All-Ireland representative football team?

We already have one. I think what question 1 is really asking or implying is would you like to see an all-Ireland football association?

ii) Do you think it will happen in the next 10 years?

Not in the next 10, not in the next 50, not in the event of an all-ireland geo-political entity, not even in the event of a 32 county socialist republican idyll benevolently led by the universally loved grandfather of the nation President Ruari O'Bradaigh. It won't happen.

iii) Should players born in the north be allowed play in the FAI team?

Yes, absolutely. though I'm uncomfortable with people being cuckoos eggs in the IFA setup ...no rules being broken but it's just a bit messy.

iv) Would an All-Ireland team increase the chance of major tournament qualification?

Barely. It could possibly mean gaps created by injuries and withdrawals would be more easily plugged but it would scarcely mean a measurable jump in quality. Anyway, it's an angels on pinheads discussion, it's not going to happen.

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Originally Posted by DannyInvincible

Out of interest, how do they conduct these polls?

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The "technical notes" on how the survey is conducted should be in the link.

Regarding how people voted at the recent Assembly elections, less that 55% of people eligible to vote bothered their arse to do so.

In the event of a Border Poll, one could expect the percentage voting to increase quite dramatically.

Why would we need a 'border poll' for a UI soccer team??

It's not been needed for rugby, cricket, hockey, boxing, golf etc.

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Originally Posted by Lionel Ritchie

I think what question 1 is really asking or implying is would you like to see an all-Ireland football association?

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I think it's really asking 'Do you think there shouldn't be a NI team for its fans to support'? So far on this thread, 12 of 21 RoI fans offering an opinion agree. Even though they already have an effective all-Ireland team to support, which welcomes fans and players from all over Ireland and beyond.

Not nice, regardless of whether the dirty dozen and the many who agree with them are daydreamers, bored sh*itstirrers or just deluded.

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Originally Posted by ArdeeBhoy

Why would we need a 'border poll' for a UI soccer team??

It's not been needed for rugby, cricket, hockey, boxing, golf etc.

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Simply because none of these associations split. They didn't have the Belfast-centric problems that saw to the FAI being formed.
This aspect if the argument is redundant and drives me bananas Everytime it's mentioned.

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Originally Posted by Gather round

I think it's really asking 'Do you think there shouldn't be a NI team for its fans to support'? So far on this thread, 12 of 21 RoI fans offering an opinion agree. Even though they already have an effective all-Ireland team to support, which welcomes fans and players from all over Ireland and beyond.

Not nice, regardless of whether the dirty dozen and the many who agree with them are daydreamers, bored sh*itstirrers or just deluded.

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You are getting sloppy with your arguments.

If said dirty dozen "welcomes fans and players from all over Ireland and beyond" why would their motivation in joining forces with their nearest neighbours be that of "daydreamers, bored sh*itstirrers or just deluded"?

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Originally Posted by Gather round

I think it's really asking 'Do you think there shouldn't be a NI team for its fans to support'? So far on this thread, 12 of 21 RoI fans offering an opinion agree. Even though they already have an effective all-Ireland team to support, which welcomes fans and players from all over Ireland and beyond.

Not nice, regardless of whether the dirty dozen and the many who agree with them are daydreamers, bored sh*itstirrers or just deluded.

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Ha. I love the irony of your posts. Very entertaining.

ULSTER SAYS GATHER-ROUND IS NOT A $HIT STIRRER!!!

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Originally Posted by ifk101

If said dirty dozen "welcomes fans and players from all over Ireland and beyond" why would their motivation in joining forces with their nearest neighbours be that of "daydreamers, bored sh*itstirrers or just deluded"?

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Er, because they seem unable to grasp that it's possible to include all and sundry in their own team without having to exclude other fans from supporting a different team?

If your arguments were any sloppier they'd be on the lunch menu at Portlaoise.

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Originally Posted by Fixer 82

Ha. I love the irony of your posts. Very entertaining

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My pleasure. But look, here's the deal. I'll stop narking if you stop deluding about abolishing my football team.

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Originally Posted by Gather round

Er, because they seem unable to grasp that it's possible to include all and sundry in their own team without having to exclude other fans from supporting a different team?

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But they welcome the creation of a new entity - so called "all Ireland" team. It wouldn't be a continuation of their current "own team".

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Originally Posted by ifk101

But they welcome the creation of a new entity - so called "all Ireland" team. It wouldn't be a continuation of their current "own team"

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The same old RoI team playing all its home matches in the RoI, surrounded by RoI symbolism, inheriting the RoI's historical record. Similar to the RU team really, only on a bigger more visible scale. But, as I may have mentioned, even if it lined up in front of a muriel of King Billy's horse, ran out to the strains of Aghalee Heroes and had nothing but oranges at half-time we just aren't interested. Stop stirring.

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Originally Posted by Gather round

My pleasure. But look, here's the deal. I'll stop narking if you stop deluding about abolishing my football team.

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Well I would call it aspirational more than delusional. if it never happens then it's not the end of the World. But I'm certainly not getting angry about it.
And you must remember, it would be abolishing my football team as well.
Instead we would have one team that plays in green from the island of Ireland. (We can even bring back the away Orange jersey to help you acclimatise a little easier ;) )
Compromises would have to be made by both sides, sure, but our similarities far outweigh our differences and that's why I think it makes sense.

i) Would you like to see an All-Ireland representative football team?

No. I used to in the past but I just don't think it would work out. Too much animosity on both sides.

ii) Do you think it will happen in the next 10 years?

No chance. The blazers on both sides don't want to dilute their perks.

iii) Should players born in the north be allowed play in the FAI team?

No. It makes me a little uncomfortable to see the likes of Gibson playing for us. I know about the GF agreement etc but I agree with the Norners somewhat who say it is a jurisdiction issue not necessarily a political issue.

iv) Would an All-Ireland team increase the chance of major tournament qualification?

No because we're both pretty much shyte.

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Originally Posted by Gather round

The notion backed by all the evidence, ye mean?

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This sentiment intended here was in fact the total opposite of how you have interpreted it, you are so busy and intent on saying No, you dont even understand whats actually being said to you. And in those circumstances, of little value to a debate.

I'm sure you will dismiss this as stirring, or daydreaming, or whatever it is you need to tell yourself.

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Originally Posted by Metrostars

iii) Should players born in the north be allowed play in the FAI team?

No. It makes me a little uncomfortable to see the likes of Gibson playing for us. I know about the GF agreement etc but I agree with the Norners somewhat who say it is a jurisdiction issue not necessarily a political issue.

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Reading that makes me a little unconfortable.

[IMG]

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Originally Posted by Gather round

The same old RoI team playing all its home matches in the RoI, surrounded by RoI symbolism, inheriting the RoI's historical record. Similar to the RU team really, only on a bigger more visible scale. But, as I may have mentioned, even if it lined up in front of a muriel of King Billy's horse, ran out to the strains of Aghalee Heroes and had nothing but oranges at half-time we just aren't interested. Stop stirring.

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I love Muriels

This one is my favourite

http://www.amanandamouse.com/abbanat...der/muriel.gif

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Originally Posted by Fixer82

Well I would call it aspirational more than delusional

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No, it's delusional not just if you think the 'merged' team would be much stronger, but also as you seem to think there's any chance of us (NI fans) agreeing to it.

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And you must remember, it would be abolishing my football team as well

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It wouldn't in practice, as described above. But even if it was, there's a difference between voluntering to dissolve and having it imposed on you.

Stop stirring.

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Originally Posted by Gather round

The same old RoI team playing all its home matches in the RoI, surrounded by RoI symbolism, inheriting the RoI's historical record. Similar to the RU team really, only on a bigger more visible scale. But, as I may have mentioned, even if it lined up in front of a muriel of King Billy's horse, ran out to the strains of Aghalee Heroes and had nothing but oranges at half-time we just aren't interested. Stop stirring.

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You mean mural.

I'm not talking about anything being imposed on anyone.
If the people and the associations don't want it to happen it won't happen.
If they come to their senses and decide to unite then it will happen.
Nothing will be forced on anyone.
It would hardly make for a healthy association if it were to be operating under force.

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Originally Posted by Metrostars

iii) Should players born in the north be allowed play in the FAI team?

No. It makes me a little uncomfortable to see the likes of Gibson playing for us. I know about the GF agreement etc but I agree with the Norners somewhat who say it is a jurisdiction issue not necessarily a political issue.

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It isn't a jurisdiction issue though. Where does jurisdiction come into it? It's an issue of national identity which is the foundation of national teams, according to FIFA and most international football fans, I would have thought. When a player possesses a permanent nationality not dependent on residence, he's eligible to play for a particular country irrespective of the jurisdiction within which he was born. It's how the likes of Ciaran Clark or Kevin Kilbane qualify to play for us and it's how the likes of Darron Gibson qualifies to play for us.

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Originally Posted by Crafty Toe Poke

This sentiment intended here was in fact the total opposite of how you have interpreted it

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OK, funny boy. Let's go through it again. In answer to the clearly implied question 'Do you think the NI side should be abolished' you said, "Yes, its where we will eventually end up". How exactly else do you suggest I interpret it?

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you are so busy and intent on saying No, you dont even understand whats actually being said to you. And in those circumstances, of little value to a debate

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Ha ha.I understand what you wrote. If it wasn't what you meant to write, or you now realise it's self-contradicting, say so. We all make mistakes. But ultimately if you don't want to debate with NI fans, don't. No-one's forcing you.

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I'm sure you will dismiss this as stirring, or daydreaming, or whatever it is you need to tell yourself

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Got it in one, Einstein.