McCourt/McGinn were never on the FAI's radar in the first place. They got capped by the only team who were going to cap them at the time. Ferguson does have the choice.Quote:
Originally Posted by TrapAPony
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McCourt/McGinn were never on the FAI's radar in the first place. They got capped by the only team who were going to cap them at the time. Ferguson does have the choice.Quote:
Originally Posted by TrapAPony
My point is that he must not think he is good enough for usQuote:
Originally Posted by SwanVsDalton
Fair enough, you're probably right. I'd like to think a large part of it is simply a loyalty/desire to play for the NI, for whatever reason, no matter how idealistic that sounds.Quote:
Originally Posted by TrapAPony
I'm almost certain that McCourt was courted by Mick McCarthy to play for Ireland when he was at Rochdale and ripping it up. He was contacted around the same time that he was attracting Premier League offers. But he chose to stick with Northern Ireland and represented them at under 21 level and eventually senior level.Quote:
Originally Posted by SwanVsDalton
That's probably a bit unfair. He seems to have been genuinely conflicted so he might just have chosen NI because he wanted to play for them more. Not necessarily settling for second best.
Not something I've ever heard - tbh I find it hard to believe McCourt would reject a call-up if there was one in the offing but fair enough. But it doesn't seem to me McCourt's choices, while playing for Rochdale, would be as open as Ferguson's (playing for Newcastle and in a position we can use options in).Quote:
Originally Posted by Olé Olé
Video interview with Gary McAllister of the Amalgamation of NI Supporters' Clubs on the letter they handed into the FAI: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/15766962.stm
In regards to the Snow Patrol song, possibly the reason why the OWC Forum took issue with it, was because they realise that they will never qualify for a WC again!
Perhaps this wally should be reminded that the IFA went to the CAS (at considerable expense) to bring this matter to a conclusion.Quote:
Originally Posted by DannyInvincible
Regarding Shane Ferguson, I wish the lad well in his choice to play for the North.
To be fair to OWB that's always been the case. Hateful & intolerant paranoia is a hard trait to change.Quote:
Originally Posted by geysir
As for SF, he can always change his mind until he gets a full competitive cap.
So another 10 months then.
;)
Quote:
Originally Posted by DannyInvincible
comical video, comical letter. Nothing else to be said. Best ignored.
I know that Delaney is very happy that the choice is there for Irish nationals in the north, so I'd say he'll dismiss this nonsense. However, if such a ridiculous thing is to be considered in the least, then Ireland fans should have input - this being a Northern Ireland fan-driven incentive that is not mutually beneficial.
Genuine question for Not Brazil here, as someone who appears informed on the whole area of eligibility, do videos such as these make you cringe? And secondly, does this guy from AONISC represent the views of all NI fans or is there at least a small enlightened minority who who disagree?
I know Gary Mac well, and have previously worked with him on various matters pertaining to NI Supporters issues. - I have a lot of time and respect for him, although we would have differences of opinion on some issues. We don't fall out over them.Quote:
Originally Posted by French Toasht
The video clip above does not make me cringe - I think the concept of developing an agreement on youth players between the two Associations is a fair idea.
I think Gary Mac articulates that case well in the clip.
Gary Mac is the elected Chairman/Spokesman for the AONISC (Amalgamation of Official Northern Ireland Supporters Clubs) - circa 70 SCs are members of the Amalgamation, representing in the region of 3,000 fans.
Obviously, this does not represent the majority of NI fans, many of whom are not affiliated to any SC, or are members of SCs that are not "official".
The AONISC does hold clout with the IFA - regular meetings etc.
With a membership of circa 3,000, it's safe to say that there is not always unanimity across the board on all issues - but, the AONISC will publicly articulate the majority view of it's membership. There is healthy debate amongst their members on key issues, including those that are perhaps more contentious.
"A controversial Fifa ruling exists that allows players born in Northern Ireland to declare for the Republic regardless of blood ties"
What blood ties would they be now?
Whether you're a Catholic or Protestant?Quote:
Originally Posted by Fixer82
A line drawn on a map cuts off circulation apparently.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fixer82
I'm not convinced myself.
Just found a better way to solve all our problems. Which ever girl takes your fancy determines your allegiance!
http://www.independent.ie/breaking-n...t-2938972.html
A ginger in a Union Jack dress - that's a double whammy for me! ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by gastric
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_AoBmM_isub...s1-237x300.jpgQuote:
Originally Posted by The Fly
Alex Bruce must be angling for a threesome.Quote:
Originally Posted by gastric
Someone had to do it.
I'd say so, there are many such people who post here.Quote:
Originally Posted by geysir
I just received a suspension from one of the moderators (lets just call him Tweedledum) in order to 'cool off'. http://ourweecountry.ipbhost.com/pub...ault/laugh.gif
I'm sure that Predator, Danny and others can guess who Tweedledee is.
He's probably sad that his team faces the axe :p
Here, you got off easy Fly, they burst my ball and told me to feck off home forever.
can someone take a look at that Rory Donnelly - worth a call up to the U21s perhaps.
It's a crime there to express the wrong belief.Quote:
Originally Posted by The Fly
Are you aprisonerexiled poster of conscience?
I didn't know religion was considered a blood tie. My pal Musarraf Ali down in South Circular Road will be snapping. He had big plans to play for Ireland one day...Quote:
Originally Posted by gastric
'Blood ties' is not considered a religion, probably some vampire cult or other.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fixer82
hmmm very convenient that this is coming up the same time the new Twilight movie is released....Quote:
Originally Posted by geysir
IFA secured quite the PR coup by organising a tie-in with the Twilight movies, with the intention of portraying the FAI as blood-sucking inhumans. But they typically misjudged the popular mood and now Merrion Square gets inundated with fan mail from teenage girls.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fixer82
Another poor enough Derry Journal piece that happens to miss the point written by Andrew Quinn: http://www.derryjournal.com/communit...ttle_1_3267289
To be fair, there's no need to bring into the eligibility debate what I'm led to believe was the isolated treatment of Neil Lennon by a section of fans in Windsor Park nearly a decade ago. It's irrelevant really insofar as the majority of those attending Windsor Park these days (and even ten years ago) don't (or didn't) have a problem with Celtic/Catholic players from a nationalist background representing the IFA and have actually welcomed the likes of Paddy McCourt into their team with open arms, albeit there was a bit of a stir when Niall McGinn announced his support for us after he played against us in the Carling Nations Cup, thereby pretty much confirming his status as a mercenary. I think the majority of their fans came out in support of Lennon after that night. Nor is there any fairness in mentioning bullets posted to the other two in recent times given the fact the source of these bullets was never proven. They may well have come from Scotland. (As an aside, have Rangers players not been booed at Lansdowne Road in recent years?)Quote:
Gerry Armstrong’s mission is to try and convince the local talent of tomorrow to declare for Northern Ireland. It’s admirable, but I think that the IFA are in danger skirting away from the elephant in the room.
Northern Ireland captain and current Celtic manager Neil Lennon was forced to retire from international football in 2002 because of death threats made against him.
Why was Lennon threatened, I hear you ask? Well, the answer is quite ridiculous; Lennon was targeted because he was a Catholic and played his football at the time for Celtic.
More recently, former Derry City players and current Northern Ireland internationals Paddy McCourt and Niall McGinn were sent bullets in the post. Why?
Well, I can only surmise that it was because they play their club football for a team associated with Irish nationalism and play international football for a team associated with Northern Irish loyalism.
There’s no getting away from the fact that there’s an element of people who do not want Catholics playing for Northern Ireland.
The IFA are by no means a bigoted organisation but they have to realise, and realise quickly, that one of the main reasons that so many young footballers are opting to declare for the Republic of Ireland is because sectarianism still exists in Irish football.
I have been to countless Republic of Ireland matches over the years and not once have a I heard a sectarian song or chant at the game.
Rather, the "elephant in the room" that must be acknowledged by those in the IFA and those who support NI is simply the fact that a significant population of people born north of the border simply don't identify with, what are to them, the alien labels of "Northern Irish" and/or "British". At least Gerry Armstrong in his role as "Elite Player Mentor" seems to be paying some degree of lip service to, what seems for many, a very difficult notion to grasp. They are simply Irish and it so happens that some would rather express this national identity by declaring for the Irish FAI rather than sweeping it under the carpet and settling to play for the Northern Irish/British IFA in the interests of career progression.
What were you accused of? Anyway, take heart and never fear; tough going, it may well be, but I'm still ploughing on with just a remaining six and a half years of my suspension still to serve now. You will learn eventually that it is not a forum for free expression, opinion or debate and, in years, be able to re-integrate there upon acceptance having won the victory over yourself. Just give it time. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by The Fly
(Any similarities with Orwell's '1984' expressed above were entirely coincidental. Amazing, that...)
Sarcasm is worth looking up in the dictionary!Quote:
Originally Posted by Fixer82
Challenging the assertion that Northern Ireland's media is dominated by those with Nationalist/Republican leanings can lead to these sorts of things Danny.......you know that. ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by DannyInvincible
I would never claim such exalted status. :cool:Quote:
Originally Posted by geysir
Dammit Fly. You've been told about that truth stuff before. It's dangerous and like kryptonite to the deluded.Quote:
Originally Posted by The Fly
Is there another forum where the normal NI fans are or is that it?
It must be otherwise we would all would be communal members of it. Still waiting on my confirmation email from OWC. Any day soon.Quote:
Originally Posted by boovidge
I think the sanest fans post here. And they're nuts.Quote:
Originally Posted by boovidge
I suppose it comes with the territory.Quote:
Originally Posted by SwanVsDalton
Same boat as me. Is it common for these things to take upwards of a year? Anyway when we finally get the green light, and I have no doubt we will, keep an eye out for me.Quote:
Originally Posted by BonnieShels
I'll be 'Gibbofan81'.
I've got 2 I think I think.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sullivinho
Absolutely no idea what my usernames were at this stage.
Tried again...