George Best "Merge both the national teams"

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foot...sh/4374631.stm

George Best wants football authorities north and south of the Ireland border to create a unified national team.
The former Northern Ireland star, 58, believes a united Irish side could be a force if they pooled their resources.

He told BBC Radio Five Live: "At any given time, both the Republic and Northern Ireland have had some great world-class players.

"I just believe in trying something. If it doesn't work, at least you've tried. I just hope it happens in my lifetime."

The move would be politically controversial and may face Fifa opposition, given that both nations have their own unique identities.

It would inevitably also be a thorny issue for both the Northern Ireland FA and the Football Association of Ireland, which might be required to merge in order for the unified team to become a reality.


... No chance!!

& whatever about past players, there's not many of their first 11 that would even make the irish squad...

Northern Ireland squad - goalkeepers: R Carroll (Manchester United), Maik Taylor (Birmingham City).

Defenders: M Williams (Rushden and Diamonds), S Craigan (Motherwell), C Murdock (Crewe), A Hughes (Newcastle), M Clyde (Wolves), C Baird (Southampton), T Capaldi (Plymouth), G McCartney (Sunderland).

Midfielders: D Johnson (Birmingham City), J Whitley (Sunderland), T Doherty (Bristol City), C Brunt (Sheffield Wednesday), S Davis (Aston Villa), K Gillespie (Leicester), P Mulryne (Norwich).

Forwards: S Jones (Crewe), S Elliott (Hull), A Smith (Preston), A Kirk (Northampton Town), D Healy (Leeds), W Feeney (Stockport).

-- There's maybe 3 you'd consider out of that bunch...

Carroll would be at best 3rd choice behind Given and Kenny

I'd have Maik Taylor in though, good second choice keeper to have.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by loscherland

[url]

... No chance!!

& whatever about past players, there's not many of their first 11 that would even make the irish squad...

Northern Ireland squad - goalkeepers: R Carroll (Manchester United), Maik Taylor (Birmingham City).

Defenders: M Williams (Rushden and Diamonds), S Craigan (Motherwell), C Murdock (Crewe), A Hughes (Newcastle), M Clyde (Wolves), C Baird (Southampton), T Capaldi (Plymouth), G McCartney (Sunderland).

Midfielders: D Johnson (Birmingham City), J Whitley (Sunderland), T Doherty (Bristol City), C Brunt (Sheffield Wednesday), S Davis (Aston Villa), K Gillespie (Leicester), P Mulryne (Norwich).

Forwards: S Jones (Crewe), S Elliott (Hull), A Smith (Preston), A Kirk (Northampton Town), D Healy (Leeds), W Feeney (Stockport).

-- There's maybe 3 you'd consider out of that bunch...

---

I think there would be a lot more than 3 that would get a look in.
Carroll instead of Kenny/Murphy
Taylor instead of Kenny/Murphy
Hughes instead of Doherty
MacCartney instead of Maybury
Johnson instead of A. Quinn/Miller (right sided winger + full back)
Gillespie instead of Barrett/Miller (a natural right winger)
Healy instead of Macken/Connolly/Elliott

Yeah, like that really happen.

A few points........

1). They have no players at the moment that would make our squad let alone our team

2). Where do we play? Dublin or Belfast?

3). What flag & anthem would be used?

4). IMO what would happen out of this is Northern Ireland will efectively become extinct, particulary if it follows the same lines as rugby. i.e. plays in Dublin, uses Irish tricolour and Irish Anthem. So the Republic of Ireland will then becoem Ireland.


Hey that's not a bad idea at all George - :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Glapots

Yeah, like that really happen.

A few points........

1). They have no players at the moment that would make our squad let alone our team

2). Where do we play? Dublin or Belfast?

3). What flag & anthem would be used?

4). IMO what would happen out of this is Northern Ireland will efectively become extinct, particulary if it follows the same lines as rugby. i.e. plays in Dublin, uses Irish tricolour and Irish Anthem. So the Republic of Ireland will then becoem Ireland.


Hey that's not a bad idea at all George - :)

---

Firstly, they have plenty of players that would make the squad.

Secondly, the rugby lads have no problem playing in Dublin. It's possible that Belfast will have a better stadium (Maze prison site) before Landsdowne is redeveloped.

Thirdly, Flag and Anthem don't seem to be a problem for Rugby.

Finally, Ulster/Northern Ireland still have a strong identity in Rugby and have had over the years a strong representation on the Rugby squad. They've hit a lean spell at the moment but that will changed over the next few years.

Quote:

---

Carroll instead of Kenny/Murphy

---

The same Carroll that plays for united :rolleyes:

I wouldnt want a United Ireland team. Games would have to be played outside Dublin. We would loose our identity, flag, national anthem.

ROI have a great team so why loose it just for 2 players ?

[QUOTE=colster]Firstly, they have plenty of players that would make the squad.

Secondly, the rugby lads have no problem playing in Dublin. It's possible that Belfast will have a better stadium (Maze prison site) before Landsdowne is redeveloped.

Thirdly, Flag and Anthem don't seem to be a problem for Rugby.

Finally, Ulster/Northern Ireland still have a strong identity in Rugby and have had over the years a strong representation on the Rugby squad. They've hit a lean spell at the moment but that will changed over the next few years.[/QU


It's different when it comes to football though. Can you imagine the currenty Northern Ireland supporters supporting an united Ireland team under the same conditions as the rugby setup? No chance

No way...

We are not loosing Amhran na bhFiann again :mad:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by thejollyrodger

The same Carroll that plays for united :rolleyes:

I wouldnt want a United Ireland team. Games would have to be played outside Dublin. We would loose our identity, flag, national anthem.

ROI have a great team so why loose it just for 2 players ?

---

Carroll may have made a few mistakes for United but he's played regularly in Europe and Premiership which is more than Kenny or Murphy. N.Ireland would have a lot more than 2 players in the combined squad.

The flag and anthem issue would have to be fudged in the same way it is for the Rugby.

Would Neil Lennon still have got the threats to his family though, if it were a United Ireland team he had been playing for?

There are rules about Great Britain ever playing as a united team, so might there not be similar problems with a part of GB playing with a nominal foreign power? If it were allowed, then why couldn't any other country decide to amalgamte to field a stronger side?

Oh yes, I'll be cheering Nord Iron over England by the way. :)

[QUOTE=Glapots]

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by colster

Firstly, they have plenty of players that would make the squad.

Secondly, the rugby lads have no problem playing in Dublin. It's possible that Belfast will have a better stadium (Maze prison site) before Landsdowne is redeveloped.

Thirdly, Flag and Anthem don't seem to be a problem for Rugby.

Finally, Ulster/Northern Ireland still have a strong identity in Rugby and have had over the years a strong representation on the Rugby squad. They've hit a lean spell at the moment but that will changed over the next few years.[/QU


It's different when it comes to football though. Can you imagine the currenty Northern Ireland supporters supporting an united Ireland team under the same conditions as the rugby setup? No chance

---

Give us a reason why it wouldn't work? don't just dismiss it out of habd without any reason for it. Incidentally I remember a DUP councillor playing for a combined Irish rugby team in the 80/90s.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by colster

Carroll may have made a few mistakes for United but he's played regularly in Europe and Premiership which is more than Kenny or Murphy. N.Ireland would have a lot more than 2 players in the combined squad.

---

And just look at Carrolls performances in Europe, hence why he's getting the boot at united. No big club would want anything to do with him.

Kenny would DEFINITELY stay 2nd choice. Kenny is also a regular 1st team player, unlike Carroll

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SAINTS4EVER

And just look at Carrolls performances in Europe, hence why he's getting the boot at united. No big club would want anything to do with him.

Kenny would DEFINITELY stay 2nd choice. Kenny is also a regular 1st team player, unlike Carroll

---

It's a marginal decision between Carroll + Kenny.
I still think that N.I would get 6/7 into a combined squad.
Hughes/MacCartney would play instead of O'Shea as left back in the first team.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by colster

Give us a reason why it wouldn't work? don't just dismiss it out of habd without any reason for it. Incidentally I remember a DUP councillor playing for a combined Irish rugby team in the 80/90s.

---

You can't compare the rugby situation to football. Rugby is an elitist sport in Ireland.

Exactly. Carroll spills goals. I would have paddy kenny over him any day. Carroll suffers from a lack of confidence or something. I would never have Carroll in goals for Ireland.

The other 2 players mentioned , S Davis, A Hughes might get in the squad but I couldnt see them starting in the first 11.

Who wants Ireland to have to play their games in Winsor Park ? Not me thats for sure. I dont like the look of the new stadium being built in the maze either. Its in the middle of nowhere and the chances of getting tickets there is worse than lansdowne.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Glapots

You can't compare the rugby situation to football. Rugby is an elitist sport in Ireland.

---

Elitist sport. Are you mad? The Irish rugby matches regularly sell out. Heinken cup matches regularly sell out. The Television audience for both are pretty high too.
More people attend the average Provincial rugby game than the average EL game.
So tell me which is the Elitist sport?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by thejollyrodger

Exactly. Carroll spills goals. I would have paddy kenny over him any day. Carroll suffers from a lack of confidence or something. I would never have Carroll in goals for Ireland.

The other 2 players mentioned , S Davis, A Hughes might get in the squad but I couldnt see them starting in the first 11.

Who wants Ireland to have to play their games in Winsor Park ? Not me thats for sure. I dont like the look of the new stadium being built in the maze either. Its in the middle of nowhere and the chances of getting tickets there is worse than lansdowne.

---

I think Taylor, Hughes, MacCartney, Johnson, Gillespie and Healy would make the combined squad ahead of Murphy, Maybury, Doherty, Quinn, Miller and Elliott.
Davis would also be an option.

Where they would play is not an issue. The fans have no problem travelling to games.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by colster

Elitist sport. Are you mad? The Irish rugby matches regularly sell out. Heinken cup matches regularly sell out. The Television audience for both are pretty high too.
More people attend the average Provincial rugby game than the average EL game.
So tell me which is the Elitist sport?

---

Well it is in Dublin anyway, if there was perhaps more 'howya's' like Robbie Keane playing rugby instead of 'ya heads' like Brian 'mommy's boy' O'Driscoll well then we could have the 6 nations. Take a reality check of course it's elitist

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by colster

Thirdly, Flag and Anthem don't seem to be a problem for Rugby.

---

It is, that's why we had to have Phil Coulter write 'Irelands Call'.

If an Irish Rugby international took place in Ravenhill, the Union Jack would fly, and God save the Queen would be played, there are people down here that would complain if that was the situation with an All-Ireland team playing in Windsor Park.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Glapots

Well it is in Dublin anyway, if there was perhaps more 'howya's' like Robbie Keane playing rugby instead of 'ya heads' like Brian 'mommy's boy' O'Driscoll well then we could have the 6 nations. Take a reality check of course it's elitist

---

'Mommy's boy'?

1. He'd kick Keanes arse in!
2. Have you seen Damien Duff? Now there's a mommy's boy! :D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Glapots

Well it is in Dublin anyway, if there was perhaps more 'howya's' like Robbie Keane playing rugby instead of 'ya heads' like Brian 'mommy's boy' O'Driscoll well then we could have the 6 nations. Take a reality check of course it's elitist

---

No I think the term you're looking for is not elitist but growing. Elitist actually implies that only a certain segment of the community are allowed play it. If that were the case why does the IRFU have an initiative in areas like Tallaght to promote the game.

Rugby is certianly starting to thrawl Dublin for players. Heard of kids in north Dublin national schools being offered scholarships in Belvedere.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by drummerboy

Rugby is certianly starting to thrawl Dublin for players. Heard of kids in north Dublin national schools being offered scholarships in Belvedere.

---

:D priceless

IMO Taylor would become second choice keeper behind Given in a combined squad... in all likelyhood, he'll be playing in their game this weekend ahead of Carroll, plus he's first choice at a Premiership club and alongside Cunningham (and to a lesser extent, Upson), has been a rock at the centre of the club...

A wider issue to consider would be the amalgamation of the IFA and the FAI, with subsequent loss of European places for the clubs and a loss of influence at UEFA - not something either association would fancy.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by roboyle

IMO Taylor would become second choice keeper behind Given in a combined squad... in all likelyhood, he'll be playing in their game this weekend ahead of Carroll, plus he's first choice at a Premiership club and alongside Cunningham (and to a lesser extent, Upson), has been a rock at the centre of the club...

A wider issue to consider would be the amalgamation of the IFA and the FAI, with subsequent loss of European places for the clubs and a loss of influence at UEFA - not something either association would fancy.

---

I don't think the loss of European places would be such a big deal. I think a combined league would increase competition and hopefully attendances and ultimately lead to higher quality entries in Europe.
Basically the hope is that a combined league would produce quality over quantity.

As for influence at UEFA I don't think 2 small associations have that much influence. 1 association is not going to be that much worse.

P.S. I agree about Taylor. Very solid keeper IMO.

Is it true to say that if a player from the north wanted to play for Ireland they would be eligable but someone from the south can't play for the north (don't know why you'd want to but anyway)... :o

If thats the case the players that want to play can try out for us :D ;)

Jesus lads, stop thinking of the short term. If this was to happen Roy Carroll would most likely have retired. Anyway, Northern Ireland has a higher population than Dublin. Can you imagine the current Ireland squad without the Dubs of Damien Duff, Robbie Keane, Andy Reid, Kenny Cunningham, Stephen Carr, Stephen Elliott, Graham Kavanagh, etc? OK, Northern Ireland are going through a bad patch atm but it shouldn't be long before they produce a couple more George Bests.

Whats the highest NI has ever been in the FIFA rankings, have they ever won anything? Whats the best the have done in the WC or EC?

Quarter finalists in World Cup, twice or three times although one of those was in the last twelve system used in Spain 82. They qualified for Euro 84 but other than that I don't know.

http://www.worldcup.isn.pl/en/cups/1982.htm

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Eire06

Whats the highest NI has ever been in the FIFA rankings, have they ever won anything? Whats the best the have done in the WC or EC?

---

They were a win away from getting to the semi's of the 1982 WC. They won their group which contained hosts Spain. They also got out of a group containing West Germany and Czechoslovakia in the 1958 WC but were beaten by France in the Quarters. They came 3rd in their WC group in '86.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Aberdonian Stu

They qualified for Euro 84 but other than that I don't know.

---

Never qualified for the Euros - knocked out by West Germany on goal difference in qualifying for '84.

Played in the World Cup in '58 (quarters), '82 (second group stage/last 12) and '86 (group stages).

As recently as '96, they finished one goal behind us.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by thejollyrodger

I wouldnt want a United Ireland team. Games would have to be played outside Dublin. We would lose our identity, flag, national anthem.

---

Can't understand this attitude. At the risk of getting into politics - so delete this post if needs be - any Irish person should want a united Ireland. We've lost far more of our identity from TV, the EU and the British occupation of the six counties than we ever will from having one football team.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by eirebhoy

They were a win away from getting to the semi's of the 1982 WC. They won their group which contained hosts Spain. They also got out of a group containing West Germany and Czechoslovakia in the 1958 WC but were beaten by France in the Quarters. They came 3rd in their WC group in '86.

---

They are 111 in the Fifa Rankings at the mo..
So nothin much out of them since 1982..

But saying that last time we played them in 99 they bet us 1 - 0 at home :(

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Eire06

Whats the highest NI has ever been in the FIFA rankings, have they ever won anything? Whats the best the have done in the WC or EC?

---

They reached the QF in 82 I think beating the holders on the way

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Never qualified for the Euros - knocked out by West Germany on goal difference in qualifying for '84.

Played in the World Cup in '58 (quarters), '82 (second group stage/last 12) and '86 (group stages).

As recently as '96, they finished one goal behind us.


Can't understand this attitude. At the risk of getting into politics - so delete this post if needs be - any Irish person should want a united Ireland. We've lost far more of our identity from TV, the EU and the British occupation of the six counties than we ever will from having one football team.

---

How do you define an Irish person? Are people from the North Irish? I consider myself an Irish nationalist and I know I dont want a united Ireland football team. Dont make assumptions, based on your own aspirations.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by colster

They reached the QF in 82 I think beating the holders on the way

---

Beating the hosts on the way :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by TheJamaicanP.M.

I consider myself an Irish nationalist and I know I dont want a united Ireland football team.

---

Me too & me neither.

If we still argue among ourselves about Saipan imagine what it'd be like with people with different views on sovereignty, bloodshed, sectarianism etc.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by TheJamaicanP.M.

I consider myself an Irish nationalist and I know I dont want a united Ireland football team.

---

Do you want a united Ireland though? If so, then a unified football team is a must. To not want a unified football team for the reasons being suggested here - the possibility of playing games outside of Dublin, for example - is nonsense. Similarily, I don't agree with wanting a unified team because we can get some of the North's better players (incidentally, the likes of Taylor would likely not be eligible for Ireland as he only qualifies because he's lived in England so long)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Eire06

Is it true to say that if a player from the north wanted to play for Ireland they would be eligable but someone from the south can't play for the north (don't know why you'd want to but anyway)...

---

Think so. As far as I know, anyone from the North is entitled to an Irish and a British passport, with the latter allowing you to declare for Ireland. Not sure exactly how qualification for the North is determined though.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Do you want a united Ireland though? If so, then a unified football team is a must. To not want a unified football team for the reasons being suggested here - the possibility of playing games outside of Dublin, for example - is nonsense. Similarily, I don't agree with wanting a unified team because we can get some of the North's better players (incidentally, the likes of Taylor would likely not be eligible for Ireland as he only qualifies because he's lived in England so long.

---

To be honest, I dont particularly desire a unified Ireland. If it happens, then well and good. Whatever the people of the 6 counties decide will do me grand. As for an All-Ireland football team, there is no way I will share my national team with those who abused Paul McGrath and Packie Bonner in Windsor Park in 1993.

As for Maik Taylor, I think he was born in Germany? Not sure about the rest of his background though. I know that Jason McAteer qualified because his great-grandfather came from Co. Down. What's the story with Lee Trundle. I thought he qualified as his parents/grandparents were from the Republic, yet Northern Ireland approached him to play for them? Maybe it works both ways?

Did any of you hear this .... the legend that is Georgie Best has suggested merging both the National teams !!

Didn't catch the full story but that was the jist of it, dont even know what station it was on !!

Anyone hear anything ??