Liam Boyce

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Originally Posted by Not Brazil

Personally, I wouldn't have them about the place.

Regarding Devine - the purpose of putting him in a future Senior squad (if he's any good) is to help him make his mind up. If he doesn't really want to play for Northern Ireland, I don't want him playing for Northern Ireland.

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You're really going about this the hard way. So you'd allow him to waver then, at least for now? Even though you said you wanted waverers "OTF" a page or two back. If he still has to make his mind up, he's clearly not yet fully committed to Northern Ireland, which is another way of saying he's wavering, right?

Is it more the way in which the other two announced their wish never to play for Northern Ireland again that you found objectionable? What is your opinion on Devine having joined an FAI training camp? Presumably, if you're happy to have him back in the IFA's set-up, you have no major qualms with what he did, but that seems at odds with what you've been saying previously. Say, instead of their outburst, the other two had decided to reject an under-age Northern Ireland call-up to join up with some FAI training camp at the same time, but then made themselves available for IFA selection again afterwards, presumably you'd be open to calling them into the senior Northern Ireland squad, if good enough? Or even, what if joining the FAI training camp on a once-off didn't involve turning down a Northern Ireland call-up?

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Originally Posted by ArdeeBhoy

Good result, but Gorman on for one minute, how sad was that by NW. He might never play again.....
;)

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Ha, I had been aware he had come on, but not that it was for a mere minute.

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Originally Posted by co. down green

Surely he was already 'nailed down' as he had already changed associations ?

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I think it depends on whether he would have been originally registered with the FAI for a competitive under-age fixture. I don't know if he ever did appear for us in a competitive game or not though.

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Originally Posted by DannyInvincible

You're really going about this the hard way. So you'd allow him to waver then, at least for now? Even though you said you wanted waverers "OTF" a page or two back. If he still has to make his mind up, he's clearly not yet fully committed to Northern Ireland, which is another way of saying he's wavering, right?

Is it more the way in which the other two announced their wish never to play for Northern Ireland again that you found objectionable? What is your opinion on Devine having joined an FAI training camp? Presumably, if you're happy to have him back in the IFA's set-up, you have no major qualms with what he did, but that seems at odds with what you've been saying previously. Say, instead of their outburst, the other two had decided to reject an under-age Northern Ireland call-up to join up with some FAI training camp at the same time, but then made themselves available for IFA selection again afterwards, presumably you'd be open to calling them into the senior Northern Ireland squad, if good enough? Or even, what if joining the FAI training camp on a once-off didn't involve turning down a Northern Ireland call-up?

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DI,

Firstly, you and I both know that nothing has really changed in terms of eligibility pertaining to Northern Irish born players, in spite of all the recent hullaballo.

Unfortunately, some in the IFA were slow learners on the issue, and we had to witness the cringeworthy charade that culminated in the recent CAS ruling.

Now, given that the penny might have finally dropped with the IFA (or, at least, begun to drop), perhaps it's an opportunity for the IFA to draw a line in the sand and devise new strategies to deal with the hand they have been dealt.

Specifically with regards to Devine - I understand he went to FAI "camp" pre CAS ruling?

Going forward, the IFA need to test the commitment of players like Devine - it's as simple as that.

I think the acid test - for those good enough - is to call them into a Senior squad for a competitive game at the earliest opportunity - I don't believe Devine is near there yet btw.

My rule of thumb is very straightforward on this issue - if you really don't want to play for Northern Ireland, don't.

If you do, you'll have my full support.

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Originally Posted by Not Brazil

My rule of thumb is very straightforward on this issue - if you really don't want to play for Northern Ireland, don't.

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So presumably you're not in favour of Messrs. Gorman, Darville & Norwood playing for other international teams then??

The choice lies with players up until they get a full competitive cap. Just be grateful UEFA haven't insisted on a GB or even an AI team to facilitate ending your alleged ambiguity....
;)

The rest is irrelevant.

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Originally Posted by ArdeeBhoy

The choice lies with players up until they get a full competitive cap.

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Err, yes, we know.

And...was there some other point you are trying to make, other than stating what we all know already?

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Originally Posted by ArdeeBhoy

Just be grateful UEFA haven't insisted on a GB or even an AI team to facilitate ending your alleged ambiguity....
;)

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Eh?

You haven't really thought that through AB.

In your fantasy world of a singular UK team, and a singular Ireland team, you are aware that "ambiguity" would still exist for players born in Northern Ireland?

You are aware that players born in Northern Ireland would be eligible to play for both, and could switch (in accordance with current FIFA Statutes) in exactly the same way as now?

What a strange, but not wholly unsurprising, thing for you to post.

So why keep banging on about 'integrity' ?

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Originally Posted by ArdeeBhoy

So why keep banging on about 'integrity' ?

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I'm not banging on about it - I'm merely pointing out that if a player really doesn't want to play for Northern Ireland, in my opinion, he displays a gross lack of integrity every time he represents Northern Ireland.

I don't want players who don't want to play for Northern Ireland, playing for Northern Ireland.

Nothing unreasonable about that.

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Originally Posted by Not Brazil

Not every English born player is eligible play for Northern Ireland, even if they wanted to.

But, you know that.

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And that comment is relevant how? Either you demand that waiverers are shunned by the IFA or else toddle on.

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Originally Posted by Not Brazil

I'm not banging on about it - I'm merely pointing out that if a player really doesn't want to play for Northern Ireland, in my opinion, he displays a gross lack of integrity every time he represents Northern Ireland.

I don't want players who don't want to play for Northern Ireland, playing for Northern Ireland.

Nothing unreasonable about that.

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What a stupid statement. If a player doesn't want to play for a national association he won't.

Closing thread until such time as Liam declares for us.The usual suspects who wish to continue going round in circles over eligibility and declaration can do so at the Player Eligibility thread