So you don't really believe that the FAI pursues a sectarian selection policy then?Quote:
Originally Posted by awec
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So you don't really believe that the FAI pursues a sectarian selection policy then?Quote:
Originally Posted by awec
I went to a rugby playing school (one of only two in Waterford at the time) so I didnt have a GAA upbringing - went to a few games but didnt like it - didnt like a lot of the crap that went with it either.Quote:
Originally Posted by awec
No, but I thought since ArdeeBhoy is continually allowed to spout his bile that I may as well present an equally non-sensical counter-argument. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by DannyInvincible
Are there any ROI protestants we can give them to square things?
Graham Norton and David Norris:)Quote:
Originally Posted by Adrock
And Bono
I disagree almost entirely with Awec about the FAI. They clearly aren't sectarian, not really bothered about a player's other (dual-) nationality let alone his religion. Apart from all the British-born players in their squads, recent youth caps have gone to Messrs Lanre Oyebanjo and Selcuk Tidim. I'm guessing there's at least some non-Catholic West African/ Turkish ancestry in there, but who cares if they're eligible and good enough? I'm pretty certain if a kid from unionist background in NI was interested, they'd consider him too, even while realising the ill-informed grumbling from NI fans and the Belfast media might be even greater.
The FAI aren't interested in how many Catholics are in our team, any more than they care about the number of Zambians, squaddies or goalkeepers who can double up front.
Rather than sulking, we should be a) asking ourselves why guys who've already played NI would want to go elsewhere and b) talking to the FAI direct, not wasting time in spurious legal action nor FIFA politicking. But if the FAI continue to exploit us within the rules, we'll have to grin and bear it.
Whoa. Less of the lazy stereotyping please.Quote:
Originally Posted by greendeiseboy
Heh. I sympathise with your embarrassment, but it would be unfair- and naive- to blame the foreigners. They aren't winding you up: you can't blame them for not knowing the subtle nuances between the Irish Republican Army and the er, Irish Republic ;)Quote:
It embarrasses me when I'm abroad and people ask do the Catholic and Protestants still kill each other in Ireland. The answer I give them is it was never my war and never will be
I was wondering for a minute there what role the sometime Spurs makeweight had in our peace procession...Quote:
Originally Posted by backtowalsall
Not quite, if they've already played for NI teams (including the first team, in some cases). But broadly you're right, it isn't a press gang.Quote:
Originally Posted by seanfhear
Would only apply if either a) they qualified on dual-nationality, granny rule or residence, or b) NI secedes from Britain and gives everyone in the South automatic citizenship ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Adrock
OK the discussion has got into a North V South thing, anyway he is starting for Newcastle today.
Can it be confirmed he wants to play for the Republic because I don't what to read the whole thread
as it is largely off topic.
I will watch the match if he is.
http://www.joe.ie/football/internati...land-0011027-1
Shane Ferguson considers switching to the Republic of Ireland
yesterday at 9:30 am
Newcastle United’s Shane Ferguson could be considering switching nationalities, according to reports in The Irish Times.
The 19-year-old has been capped at under-17, under-19, under-21 as well as B team and full international level for Northern Ireland.
As his one cap for the North came in a friendly, however, he is still eligible to switch to the Republic under current FIFA laws.
The Irish Times claim that the switch is very likely, and the FAI have so far refused to comment on the possibility.
The loss of Ferguson would be a bitter blow to the IFA, who have already lost Darron Gibson, Shane Duffy, Paul George, Daniel Kearns and Marc Wilson to the FAI.
“It would be another disappointment for us if Shane decides to go,” IFA president Jim Shaw told the Belfast Telegraph.
Ferguson, a former Gaelic footballer and Derry City player, has impressed in his five appearances for Newcastle this season.
Looks like we have another James McCarthy thread, is any bookmaker taking bets it will be longer than the McCarthy thread before
he start for the republic.
Here is Alan Pardew saying he want to stick to club football. :p
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foot...4923794257.stm
Your a very naughty boy:D !Quote:
Originally Posted by tricky_colour
Lol....good point re the Irish quote - I'm sure you even get that one when you're abroad seen as we're all seen as just Irish no matter where we are - England included !!!. As regards the stereotyping, unfortunately that's how a lot of us down here see things up there - justified or not.Quote:
Originally Posted by Gather round
RoI supporters website starts thread about NI full international. What do you expect the discussion to be about- the Moriarty Tribunal?Quote:
Originally Posted by tricky_colour
Of course, I've little problem with that. Northern Ireland- even Ireland as a whole- is a backwater internationally.Quote:
Originally Posted by Greendeiseboy
The implication was that you think everyone in NI supports paramilitarism. If you can't even be arsed to justify that, you're hardly in a position to sneer at anyone else.Quote:
As regards the stereotyping, unfortunately that's how a lot of us down here see things up there - justified or not
Our Shane starts today for Newcastle v Wolves.
He's only yours when he starts or comes on for the RoI, surely?
As I said- justified or not - that's how the North is perceived even today. Unfortunately those that are trying to promote cross community relations are drowned out by the actions of others which are bound to make the headlines. The point in this is when ye played Scotland last month - what made the papers was the behavior of a minority of your fans.Quote:
Originally Posted by Gather round
I remember being in Belfast with a few friends - all Protestants -and we went for food in a take away - I was told not to speak as there were a few locals in there who if they heard my accent would most likely give me a hiding.
Like what way is that to carry on or live your life?
Ok, maybe not everyone up there is not preoccupied with religion or politics but having to be careful about what you say or how you speak, the places you socialise and who you socialise with it must be a very difficult place to live.
GDB: hasn't it occured to you that moaning about foreigners' image of Ireland is a bit daft when your own is so simplistic? Anyone in RoI who thinks everyone in NI supports paramilitary violence is either plain daft, or stirring it.Quote:
Originally Posted by greendeiseboy
So you recognise it was just an unrepresentative minority, not everyone? A start, I suppose.Quote:
The point in this is when ye played Scotland last month - what made the papers was the behavior of a minority of your fans
If I were you I'd be asking why my 'mates' favorite takeaway is frequented by hoodlums.Quote:
I remember being in Belfast with a few friends - all Protestants -and we went for food in a take away - I was told not to speak as there were a few locals in there who if they heard my accent would most likely give me a hiding. Like what way is that to carry on or live your life?
Spare us the melodrama, please.Quote:
Ok, maybe not everyone up there is not preoccupied with religion or politics but having to be careful about what you say or how you speak, the places you socialise and who you socialise with it must be a very difficult place to live
I suppose our preconceptions of your country are probably similar to ye're preconceptions of us in relation to the Catholic church and its members.Quote:
Originally Posted by Gather round
As regard the take away - well I'm sure my mates went there in good faith - if you pardon the pun.
No, wrong again. I had no problems with the RC Church when I lived in Dublin, and I certainly didn't generalise about the whole population based on what the Vatican said.Quote:
Originally Posted by greendeiseboy
He belongs to both of us.Quote:
Originally Posted by Gather round
He doesn't 'belong' to anyone. What is this, the slave trade?
Surely knows how the end game will inevitably turn out.
I agree and I was going to make the distinction but felt you might have known better.Quote:
Originally Posted by Gather round
Ok GR don't be going all super-literal like EG now...Quote:
Originally Posted by Gather round
"Our" Shane just gone off injured with a calf injury, didn't seem to be that bad though.
If he is playing premiership football he has to be 'our Shane' and we are not for sharing! Who's our next recruit?
That's fine.Quote:
Originally Posted by awec
And I merely suggested those of a Catholic/non-Unionist persuasion in the North might feel welcome elsewhere when it comes to choosing an international football side.
But as you know many have chosen to play for the North and quite possibly will continue to do so.
Also NB and others have said they (or anyone) are welcome to make a free choice on who they play for, as long as their own team still exists.
Otherwise find myself in the odd position of agreeing with a certain rotund poster regarding personal circumstances and avenues as regards pursuing a professional career being also important....
Awec,
While you will certainly criticise me for commenting on this, but I find it a bit sad that you feel as someone who comes from NI, that you have to identify yourself as a ' Northern born Protestant'. I feel most people on here could not care less what religion people belong to and would in fact see such statements as being antiquated. I say this as there seems to be a continued link between such views and the NI team which in itself is the problem we in the South find difficult to comprehend.
Besides repeating what you'd already said I'm not sure points you are, erm, making here??Quote:
Originally Posted by Gather round
The first part answers your own question, whilst the anti-Catholic attitude of certain Unionists (& of some of the North's fans towards that community at large) is not going to encourage outsiders to necessarily play for their football team.Quote:
Clearly Poland's long-term record in international football is better than NI's
Plenty of other Catholic-background locals are obviously quite happy to play for NI. You're assuming that not only do these notional Polish wunderkinds share your political prejudices, but that they'd put them before their footbal career.
Which you seem to confirm below....
Quote:
Paramilitary organisations and football in the community schemes don't tend to overlap.
Well at least you seem to recognise the potential double standards. Don't forget the ever-increasing nos in the North's lesser teams born outside that immediate area.Quote:
Originally Posted by Gather round
One potential answer is alluded to above. And the C.A.S. ruling hardly legitimised 'exploitation'....Quote:
we should be a) asking ourselves why guys who've already played NI would want to go elsewhere and b) talking to the FAI direct, not wasting time in spurious legal action nor FIFA politicking. But if the FAI continue to exploit us within the rules, we'll have to grin and bear it.
Somewhat ironic you follow this comment with this....Quote:
Less of the lazy stereotyping please.
Ireland's population now has a somewhat more disparate stance than the more polarised views in the North.Quote:
it would be unfair- and naive- to blame the foreigners. They aren't winding you up: you can't blame them for not knowing the subtle nuances between the Irish Republican Army and the er, Irish Republic
In a competitive game....Quote:
Originally Posted by Gather round
Hmm.... Personal experience tells me somewhat different, but I'll save you the embarrassment?? ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Gather round
Josh barton from Villa played for the norths under 17s his old club was Cliftonville maybe a possible recruit
Rotund poster?
'Foot.ie': a film by M. Night Shyamalan.
<<<Spoiler>>>
Ardeebhoy is Gather round.
http://images.nymag.com/images/2/dai...ht_250x375.jpg
Too much hair, in both cases.
And too well dressed.
But the eyes match?
I don't identify myself as that at all in reality. I said that as part of my post toward ArdeeBhoy where I was trying to match his nonsense and idiotic views with equally idiotic and nonsensical views from the other side. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by gastric
But you don't know my views....
He was born in Leeds, to English parents.Quote:
Originally Posted by greendeiseboy
Quote:
Originally Posted by Not Brazil
Northern Irish family background
http://eircomsports.eircom.net/News/...Kernaghan.aspx
Paul Rowan has a short article in The Sunday Times today, entitled 'South calling young stars', which touches upon the Shane Ferguson issue.
*I've just typed out the relevent parts as I can't provide a link. :(
(it's now a subscription based website)
The rumour mill has it that the Newcastle United left-back Shane ferguson is on the verge of a move to Glasgow and some rather puerile suggestions on a Celtic fans' website had it that with such a surname, the destination was bound to be Rangers.
But it would appear the only switch Ferguson will be making shortly is the one from Northern Ireland to the Republic of Ireland, sometime over the next few months. At the moment it does seem a matter of when and not if Ferguson makes the jump.
.......Ferguson is keeping his head down at Newcastle for the moment. Others coming through Northern Ireland's youth ranks will be doing the same, wondering if and when to make the jump. The players will be watching most closely what other players do. And, at the moment, the trend is for an exodus down South.
Is it really, though? It's like the rather uncompelling "floodgates opening" argument used by those who oppose the right of northern-born Irish nationals to represent Ireland, but that hasn't really happened nor is it likely to given the fact that, as with every team, there's an upper cap - eleven - on the number of spaces available in our team. Some players who might otherwise have supported us or intended to declare for Ireland will presumably be content to stick it out with Northern Ireland due what they might view as greater competition for places in our team.Quote:
Originally Posted by Paul Rowan
I think 'exodus' is definitely the wrong word, but perhaps he's right in the sense that players will be more aware of their ability to make themselves available for the FAI. I don't see an exponential trend developing any time soon.