Potentially eligible players thread

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by EalingGreen

According to Daniel McDonnell, in the Indo piece which DeckyDee quoted:

"[Noble is] Another grandparent link who holidayed here as a child but pretty much no hope of Noble being converted to the cause as Ireland have tried and failed before. The West Ham midfielder is preparing for the European U-21 Championship with England, and is tipped as a certainty to progress to senior international honours"

Coincidentally, Stuart Pearce picked Noble as his Captain in the England U-21 team which beat Azerbaijan U-21's 7-0 last night, in preparation for their trip to the Euro U-21 Finals.

Tbh, with Zola guiding him at WHU, Noble must be a decent bet for a senior England call-up in the next 2 or 3 years, as McDonnell says.

---

Cheers

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

If you check the links on the other section, duff at the end of the bulgaria game, made a point and came over to this fella in a wheelchair near the irish section. He grabbed yer mans hand and shook it well not shook it but you know the way you clinch yer hadn with someone!!:D He then took off his jersey and kissed the badge i think and gave it to the lad win the wheelchair. Thought that was the nicest thing i have seen in a long time by an irish player, ill still remember him though checking in in bratislava behind me walking normal and then when he gets to the lounge and starts limping with all teh irish fans around ;D

---

well done duffer

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Colbert Report

"decides he wants to use his dubious connections (in previous cases such a connection has often been a dead grandparent that the player in question never even met) and throw his lot in with the Irish..."

Jamie McCarthy?

---

Nah, McCarthy clearly wants to play for us...and for the right reasons.

I was thinking more along the lines of Morrisson and Mickey Evans - still embarrassed he got a cap for us.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Wangball

I'm Irish and I'm really keen to play foor Ireland, for all the right reasons, unfortunately though I'm not good enough and I accept that there are better players as eligible for Ireland as I am who are going to be picked ahead of me.

Your argument is stupid, if these English born lads qualify for a passport than they have as much right to play as anyone born in Ireland...thats just a fact

---

You really take the biscuit - "your argument is stupid" :rolleyes:

You completely missed my point. Well done.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Den Perry

You are wrong about Houghton, his first love was always Scotland. remember reading it in Shoot all those years ago!! lol

---

"lol"?? :rolleyes:

Bit pathetic tbh. I've heard and read him say otherwise..."lol":rolleyes:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Den Perry

:rolleyes::rolleyes:

You stated that you would not be happy with Nolan, Noble or O'Hara playing for Ireland. While I understand that Nolan sat on the fence and O'Hara gave negative vibes, I merely asked what had Noble done or said that made you feel this way

And for the rest of my post? FFS I replied to your one single post. Lads, I think we have to read all Joema's posts before we are entitled to reply

---

FFS is right....

Noble has done nothing to irk me, as I said...

He has played for the England 21s 19 times, therefore I don't think he should play for Ireland, simple as that.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by joema

FFS is right....

Noble has done nothing to irk me, as I said...

He has played for the England 21s 19 times, therefore I don't think he should play for Ireland, simple as that.

---

no way would i want him anywhere near the squad. wouldnt care if he was another pele and maradonna roled into 1.

I don't want any of them playing for us. Irish people should represent Ireland in international sports and Irish people only (you don't necessarily have to be born here to be Irish before the PC brigade get on my case). Ireland's team should not be simply used as a stepping stone on someone's career path irrespective of how much success it brings. It's not going to make much difference anyway. Of the players metioned only Noble may turn out to be noticeably better than what's available already and even then I'd rather have Garvan, McCarthy, Gibson and McCann in the team instead of him.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by youngirish

I don't want any of them playing for us. Irish people sould represent Ireland in international sports and Irish people only (you don't necessarily have to be born here to be Irish before the PC brigade get on my case). Ireland's team should not be simply used as a stepping stone on someone's career path irrespective of how much success it brings. It's not going to make much difference anyway. Of the players metioned only Noble may turn out to be noticeably better than what's available already and even then I'd rather have Garvan, McCarthy, Gisbon and McCann in the team instead of him.

---

Sorry 'Youngirish' cant agree with you there. :o

I made the point earlier about Andy Townsend, we see what he did for us. I guess you could say the same about Phil Babulous and Trigger

Totally agree with youngirish on this one. None of them are even worth pursuing to be honest.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by joema

FFS is right....

Noble has done nothing to irk me, as I said...

He has played for the England 21s 19 times, therefore I don't think he should play for Ireland, simple as that.

---

You are not making sense - I replied FFS because you had a go at me for not reading later posts.So am I expected to read everything you post afterwards before I can reply to an earlier one? Cop on

In addition, why are you such a Houghton lover when he made it clear Scotland were the side he would rather have played for? your argument makes no sense

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by NeilMcD

Totally agree with youngirish on this one. None of them are even worth pursuing to be honest.

---

Oh well, different strokes for different folks I guess :o

Lets see how it pans out

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by joema

"lol"?? :rolleyes:

Bit pathetic tbh. I've heard and read him say otherwise..."lol":rolleyes:

---

bit pathetic? what is? where's your argument?

Couldn't be arsed anymore...see ya

Load of ye wanting an England B team. Embarrassing.

Speaking of naturalized brazilians....
What about all the ones down in Gort, any of them coming good soon?? :D :D

All for giving someone a chance to represent a country which they are entitled to represent, providing they are interested. However, the thought of going with a begging bowl to a second rate player who lacks commitment to the cause would disturb me.

Initially thought Noble etc. was a good shout, however having seen him on Sky Sports News tonight talking about how much he loves playing for England and worst of all bellowing out the peasant's anthem that is God Save the Queen there is no way in the world that I would want to see him in a green shirt.

Agree with YoungIrish - blood the Kids before that lot.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by JGKyne

Speaking of naturalized brazilians....
What about all the ones down in Gort, any of them coming good soon?? :D :D

---

Hahaha! I noticed that myself. The names of Seán Áron O' Nascimento or Ronald O'Kelly might be popping up in the future :eek:

In addition to youngirish's contention, I reckon that young people from the North who want to play for the Republic should also be given consideration before second or third generation 'Irish' people from Britain or elsewhere.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Manc Irish Wolf

Initially thought Noble etc. was a good shout, however having seen him on Sky Sports News tonight talking about how much he loves playing for England and worst of all bellowing out the peasant's anthem that is God Save the Queen there is no way in the world that I would want to see him in a green shirt.

---

Said I'd pop in here once more:p

Spot on, reminds me of when Matt Holland belted out GSTQ at the play-off final in Wembley while an Ireland international :o

I really dont think this rule change will affect us too much in the near future. But where it might come into play is that it might stop England giving lads one or 2 caps just to tie them down to them so that if they develop further they will have no choice but to play for England. The likes of Noble and Ferdinand have been involved in the England set up for far too long for them or us to consider a change in countries.

Fair point, and that be the case with Andy Lonergan.

I think for us to even consider chasing Noble or Ferdinand would be just cringeworthy.

The likes of Houghton & Aldridge were overlooked by their birth countries, quite remarkably, as far as I can remember. I'm not sure if either was capped at any underage level - anyone know for sure? Both were late developers.

Reaching out to an uncapped and overlooked eligible player is a very different proposition to actively poaching a guy who has multiple appearances at U21 level.

Like Andy O'Brien?

Multiple appearances?

Just checked and he had only the one. I thought it was more.

I still couldn't accept him but fair enough, its not multiple appearances

As far as I remember he only played 1 friendly U-21 for England.

I think O'Brien genuinely wanted to play for us, but after the way he was targeted as a scapegoat along with Paddy Kenny following Cyprus away I'm not surprised either of them haven't been involved since to be honest.

We could just get any prospective players to do this

http://www.ireland-information.com/quiz1.htm

Celtic Warriors nedd only apply :D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Manc Irish Wolf

All for giving someone a chance to represent a country which they are entitled to represent, providing they are interested. However, the thought of going with a begging bowl to a second rate player who lacks commitment to the cause would disturb me.

Initially thought Noble etc. was a good shout, however having seen him on Sky Sports News tonight talking about how much he loves playing for England and worst of all bellowing out the peasant's anthem that is God Save the Queen there is no way in the world that I would want to see him in a green shirt.

Agree with YoungIrish - blood the Kids before that lot.

---

I agree.If Noble said those things then it is obvious that England is the only country he wants to play for - and good luck to him. I wasn't aware how strongly he felt until you said it there.However, I still feel that we should be open to taking on players born outside of Ireland

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by joema

Said I'd pop in here once more:p

Spot on, reminds me of when Matt Holland belted out GSTQ at the play-off final in Wembley while an Ireland international :o

---

I remember hearing that Holland did this but never saw it for myself and thus thought it was a myth..or that it occurred before he played for Ireland. .What puzzles me is a lot of Irish supporters loved Holland, surely after this he must have lost popularity? I've always hated him since he started bi tching about Roy Keane in Saipan

Does anybody have a link to him singing GSTQ?

Obviously not a fan of our players singing GSTQ, but is it possible that someone could be born English, to English parents, love England, have an Irish grandparent who they visit fairly regularly in Ireland, and love Ireland as well? This player never gets a look in with England, and one day gets a call from the Irish management team, who compliment his recent performances and say, "we'd love to have you in the squad, if you'd like to represent Ireland."

Or a player with an English dad and an Irish mum. Born and raised in England, loves England, sings GSTQ, but is conscientious of being Irish as well.

Have fun villainizing Matt Holland if you want, but I don't feel like attacking a good servant to the Irish team who happens to have dual allegiances.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Den Perry

I remember hearing that Holland did this but never saw it for myself and thus thought it was a myth..or that it occurred before he played for Ireland. .What puzzles me is a lot of Irish supporters loved Holland, surely after this he must have lost popularity? I've always hated him since he started bi tching about Roy Keane in Saipan

Does anybody have a link to him singing GSTQ?

---

Holland had only one appearance for Ireland before that play off final. The last 4 minutes away to Macedonia.
He didn't play again until the US Cup the following summer, after the play off final.
Like yourself, I've never seen the video to prove it, but I've heard it enough times that I assumed there was at least some truth to it.

If a player was born and bred in England, surely you can't complain if he sings GSTQ. Now if he sang it at an Ireland game you could complain. After all he is representing Ireland at football not joining Sinn Fein.

i have no problem with say mcgeady or mccarthy for instance. if there willing to play for ireland and take the kind of stick they get in the country they were born then im glad. seems mcgeady always wanted to play for us anyway. plus they were with us from underage upwards.

but i dont want someone who has played games for england, underage or whatever in there 20's switching over. now there isnt anything we can do about it if it happens tho. i wouldnt look at them in the same way. look at robbie having his son born here.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Duggie

look at robbie having his son born here.

---

At the end of the day, his kid is going to grow up, have an English accent, and probably love his home- England.

He's probably going to love Ireland too.

The idea of dual loyalties and complicated identities seems to be a bit beyond quite a few members of this forum though :eek:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by irishfan86

At the end of the day, his kid is going to grow up, have an English accent, and probably love his home- England.

He's probably going to love Ireland too.

The idea of dual loyalties and complicated identities seems to be a bit beyond quite a few members of this forum though :eek:

---

yes but if hes born irish hes 100% irish IMO. now it dosent matter he may not ever be a footballer, but somehow i can only see robbie keane's child been brought up 100 irish. 100% no question.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by irishfan86

Obviously not a fan of our players singing GSTQ, but is it possible that someone could be born English, to English parents, love England, have an Irish grandparent who they visit fairly regularly in Ireland, and love Ireland as well? This player never gets a look in with England, and one day gets a call from the Irish management team, who compliment his recent performances and say, "we'd love to have you in the squad, if you'd like to represent Ireland."

Or a player with an English dad and an Irish mum. Born and raised in England, loves England, sings GSTQ, but is conscientious of being Irish as well.

Have fun villainizing Matt Holland if you want, but I don't feel like attacking a good servant to the Irish team who happens to have dual allegiances.

---

You'd want to grow up. If Holland was by this time an Irish international and sang the national anthem of another nation it is nothing short of embarressing.It doesn't matter if its GSTQ, Flower of Scotland or the Star Spangled Banner.Of course he can be proud of his English heritage but by being an Irish international h was mean to be IRISH.Imagine if we were playing against England and he started singing GSTQ?

By the way, did you ever see him sing the Irish National Anthem?

Good servant? He was extremely overated as a player. Keane alongside him made him look good and the proof was in the pudding at WC 2002 where he was absolutely terrible apart from the goal against Cameroon. I know it was a hugely important goal, but centre midfield was terrible in that tiournament

I dunno, I often find myself wandering around singing GSTQ and I haven't got an English bone in my body, it's just a catchy little, slightly racist, offensive, ditty. Try not singing along to a catchy tune when 80,000 other people are :D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Den Perry

You'd want to grow up. If Holland was by this time an Irish international and sang the national anthem of another nation it is nothing short of embarressing.It doesn't matter if its GSTQ, Flower of Scotland or the Star Spangled Banner.Of course he can be proud of his English heritage but by being an Irish international h was mean to be IRISH.Imagine if we were playing against England and he started singing GSTQ?

By the way, did you ever see him sing the Irish National Anthem?

Good servant? He was extremely overated as a player. Keane alongside him made him look good and the proof was in the pudding at WC 2002 where he was absolutely terrible apart from the goal against Cameroon. I know it was a hugely important goal, but centre midfield was terrible in that tiournament

---

So what are you saying, a person can't be both Irish and English? You have to choose? What is this, a ****ing war? Get over yourself, it's football.

And when I talk about "good servants," I'm not talking about ability, I'm talking about always being willing to give 100% commitment to the cause while wearing the green, which Holland did.

Kilbane is a good servant to the Irish team, but I wouldn't call him a particularly marvelous player ability-wise.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by irishfan86

The idea of dual loyalties and complicated identities seems to be a bit beyond quite a few members of this forum though :eek:

---

yep, and the idea of a national team representing their country seems to be beyond quite a few too

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Dodge

yep, and the idea of a national team representing their country seems to be beyond quite a few too

---

As the world becomes more interconnected as globalization takes hold, the idea of nationalities starts to break down.

Growing up in Canada, a nation of immigrants, many of my friends have many allegiances.

For example, I have a friend who has a Greek father, an Italian mother, and was raised in Canada.

BUT YOU CAN ONLY CHOOSE ONE COUNTRY TO FOLLOW, AND YOU MUST ONLY SING ONE ANTHEM!

Give me a break.

I think the line is quite bendy in this case ;)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by irishfan86

Obviously not a fan of our players singing GSTQ, but is it possible that someone could be born English, to English parents, love England, have an Irish grandparent who they visit fairly regularly in Ireland, and love Ireland as well? This player never gets a look in with England, and one day gets a call from the Irish management team, who compliment his recent performances and say, "we'd love to have you in the squad, if you'd like to represent Ireland."

Or a player with an English dad and an Irish mum. Born and raised in England, loves England, sings GSTQ, but is conscientious of being Irish as well.

Have fun villainizing Matt Holland if you want, but I don't feel like attacking a good servant to the Irish team who happens to have dual allegiances.

---

can't happen - that makes then english sinple as and they have no place near the Irish team