Player eligibility row

[Mr_Parker]

Further update on KK's remarkable find:

Cliftonville, a team whose support is now almost excusively Nationalist, are unable to play Thursday's Europa League game at their home ground, Solitude. Guess where they've chosen to play it instead?

Yep, a certain stadium called Windsor Park, sometime home of Linfield and "located in a staunchly Loyalist area of Belfast".

Strange one, that, all the more since whilst WP is accessible/acceptable to them as Reds fans, it somehow ceases to become so (as Nationalists) when NI play there.

A large percentage yes but not "almost exclusively." Cliftonville fans access to Windsor Park is restricted when we play there. ie only via Kennedy Way with Police restricting other routes. Cliftonville Had in fact chosen the Oval but had to change at the last minute due to the home/away fixtures that glentoran potentially had. Thow it is changed days since the IFA forced Cliftonville to play numerous 'home' fixtures, cup games etc for some 30 odd years at Windsor.

P.S. The reason why Solitude is unavailable is because they are currently installing a new state-of-the-art 3G all-weather pitch, following generous funding from those Loyalist Orange Bigots at the IFA:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foot...sh/8728144.stm

For clarity, it is money from UEFA distributed via the IFA.

F
P.P.S. At least the Reds will be able to work on the new pitch round-the-clock, now that they've installed modern new floodlights at Solitude, following more funding from those LOB's at the IFA:
"HERALDING A BRIGHT NEW ERA
The Club is pleased to announce that its application to the IFA for funding for new floodlights has been successful. Cliftonville are one of three clubs to have been awarded 95% funding towards a new floodlight system.
Subject to planning permission, the Club anticipate that work on the new floodlights should commence in the summer and we hope to have them ready for early in the 2008/09 season.
The new lights will be UEFA standard and capable of generating the 800 lux required for European games as well as for any live televised matches.
This is a very significant step towards the Club achieving Domestic and UEFA Licence standards for the stadium at Solitude and the Club is grateful to the IFA for its assistance and support"

Again for clarity, that funding came from the UEFA 'Hat Trick' programme via the IFA.

P.P.P.S. All a shame, really, since I'm sure would have loved to accommodate their Visitors in the new Away Stand at Solitude, completed in 2008 with financial assistance from, let me see, some bunch of LOB's calling themselves the IFA...

The stand was funded by Sportni and not the IFA.

[ifk101]

Cliftonville have also opted to play home games at Seaview (which in case you don't know is on the Shore Road -a much more staunch loyalist area than South Belfast) for the start of this season, so what's your point caller?

It wasn't me that brought Cliftonville into the conversation, hence my questions. Maybe you should ask the original caller was his point was?

[EalingGreen]

It wasn't me that brought Cliftonville into the conversation, hence my questions. Maybe you should ask the original caller was his point was?

My point was quite simple.

In his never-ending quest to blacken the name of the IFA and the NI football team etc, Kingdom Kerry introduced a piece of blogroll ("End Game In Ulster", post #967) which, amongst other things, claimed that Windsor Park was effectively a "no-go" area for Nationalists etc.

I pointed out that when Cliftonville, whose support is predominantly Nationalist (OK, Mr. P?), needed a ground for tonight's Europa League game, they elected to stage it in Windsor, thereby making a nonsense of "Endgame's" prejudiced claim.

And whilst on the subject of Cliftonville, I pointed out that the IFA - another target of Endgame's ranting - has actually been very helpful to Cliftonville FC in rebuilding their ground etc (both from their own, scarce, resources and by helping secure outside funding), help which has been publicly acknowledged by the club itself.

P.S. If you are really so concerned by posters having no point to make, or veering off topic etc, why didn't you take exception when KK originally posted Endgame's rant? Why does it only concern you when posters like myself attempt to defend ourselves and our team when faced with offensive tripe of the sort which KK habitually posts?

[ifk101]

P.S. If you are really so concerned by posters having no point to make, or veering off topic etc, why didn't you take exception when KK originally posted Endgame's rant? ?

I'm not going to click on a link that sums up KK's feelings.

Add him to your ignore list or bring it up with a moderator if it's a problem for you.

[EalingGreen]

I'm not going to click on a link that sums up KK's feelings.

If you aren't prepared even to read what he posted, then how can you expect to understand my point when I reply to that Link?

Quite simply, you are reverting to type in disparaging what I, an NI fan, posts on a thread about the NI team, even when mine is a reasoned reply to a prejudiced rant by KK/Endgame concerning my team. I can only assume that that this is because you, too, are prejudiced against me/NI fans etc.

Add him to your ignore list...

If I ignore what KK posts, then he will just continue to repeat his poisonous little rants about my team unchallenged.

... or bring it up with a moderator if it's a problem for you.

"Dear Moderator, I don't like what KK posts"? Yeah, right...

Anyhow, why don't you heed your own advice and either ignore my posts or report me to the Mods?

[Charlie Darwin]

To be fair most people could probably tell from the name of the blog that it was complete and utter ****e.

[ifk101]

If you aren't prepared even to read what he posted, then how can you expect to understand my point when I reply to that Link?

Your "point" was twisting the truth while having a sly dig at Cliftonville fans. That's what I was replying to.

Quite simply, you are reverting to type in disparaging what I, an NI fan, posts on a thread about the NI team, even when mine is a reasoned reply to a prejudiced rant by KK/Endgame concerning my team. I can only assume that that this is because you, too, are prejudiced against me/NI fans etc.

Let others be the judge of whether it's a reasoned reply or not. You can assume what you wish but at least find an ounce of foundation for such an assumption. I've never had a problem with genuine NI fans but once you start posting your unique understanding on issues that concern the team I support or topics I have interest in, I'm going to have an opinion.

If I ignore what KK posts, then he will just continue to repeat his poisonous little rants about my team unchallenged.

You're taking the bait.

Anyhow, why don't you heed your own advice and either ignore my posts or report me to the Mods?

Ah EG don't be like that.

[EalingGreen]

Your "point" was twisting the truth while having a sly dig at Cliftonville fans. That's what I was replying to.

I was not "twisting" anything - that was KK/Endgame. As for my references to Cliftonville, those were merely to refute KK/Endgame's slur that WP is a "no go" area for Nationalists, by pointing out that a predominantly Nationalist-supported club can happily play European games there, even during the height of the 'Marching Season'.
Ditto KK/Endgame's allegations of "loyalist bias" at the IFA etc, where I pointed out their assistance to C'ville.
As for my having a "sly dig" at their fans, that was not my point*, but even if it were, what would that have to do with you? You a big fan of the Wee Reds or IL football these days? Why do you take exception to my posts, whilst ignoring those of a stirrer like KK?

* - Fyi, I have nothing for/against C'ville or their fans; in fact I was pleased for them for last night's victory

Let others be the judge of whether it's a reasoned reply or not. You can assume what you wish but at least find an ounce of foundation for such an assumption.

You don't appear to uinderstand the difference between "reasoned" and "reasonable". When I said my reply to KK was "reasoned", I meant that I gave reasons to support my case. Of course it is for others to decide for themselves whether that case is reasonable (valid) or not.

I've never had a problem with genuine NI fans

Are you implying that I am not a "genuine NI fan"?

but once you start posting your unique understanding on issues that concern the team I support or topics I have interest in, I'm going to have an opinion.

Other posters (eg Lionel R, Danny I, Co.Down Green, AWEC, Mr. Parker etc) have replied to my posts with informed, reasoned opinions of their own, some of which support me, others which don't (fair enough).
Whereas your most recent posts on this thread (#'s 975, 982, 984), are all barely concealed ad hominem attacks on me, which otherwise contribute precisely nothing to the debate. Then again, since you apparently know sod-all about football in Belfast etc, that should hardly be any surprise.

You're taking the bait.

If I thought KK was merely "fishing" by posting that Endgame tripe, I would, indeed, leave it. But it is clear from his other NI-related posts that he entirely agrees with the prejudiced bile contained therein.
Even then I might be prepared to leave it at that, since it is obvious that no amount of reasoning or evidence is likely to change his particular closed mind.
However, there are other, less informed Members of this Board who might be casually persuaded by such rants, to one degree or another.
Therefore, I choose to reply to KK, as a means of "setting straight the record" (as I see it).
Meanwhile, you appear to have no informed view on the "record", but pile in with your posts anyhow...

Ah EG don't be like that.

I will "be" whatever way I like. But however that may be, I will try to practice what I preach.
Speaking of which, I note that you continue to contradict your own "preaching", by neither reporting me to the Mods, nor adding me to your "Ignore List".

[Wolfie]

DEAR ALL AND SUNDRY,

Ireland V Northern Ireland in the the Celtic Cup is only a year away now.

All the talking will be done on the pitch - its such a quaint notion.

[EalingGreen]

DEAR ALL AND SUNDRY,
Ireland V Northern Ireland in the the Celtic Cup is only a year away now.

Actually, Republic of Ireland v Northern Ireland in the Four Associations Tournament is only 7/10 months away:
http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=c...k=view&id=4128

Will that be sufficient time for you to get even the basic facts right, or should we postpone it?

[Gather round]

Actually, Republic of Ireland v Northern Ireland in the Four Associations Tournament is only 7/10 months away:
http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=c...k=view&id=4128

Will that be sufficient time for you to get even the basic facts right, or should we postpone it?

Chill, big man. There's nothing in Wolfie's post to get wound up by

Good points of your own up-thread.

[Wolfie]

Actually, Republic of Ireland v Northern Ireland in the Four Associations Tournament is only 7/10 months away:
http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=c...k=view&id=4128

Will that be sufficient time for you to get even the basic facts right, or should we postpone it?

Put the handbag away, EG - if I was having a dig at you I'd quote your post.

Many thanks for the pedantic reference to the Four Associations Tournament. Catchy.

Is it the Celtic reference you object to or were you just being particularly pedantic?

[DannyInvincible]

So, Monday is the day of the hearing. Will CAS announce their decision on Monday also, or will that come after a period of deliberation over the facts and circumstances presented to them by the IFA? If so, any idea how long this process might take?

The CAS website states the following is scheduled:

19 July 2010
CAS 2010/A/2071 Irish Football Association v/ Football Association of Ireland, Daniel Kearns and FIFA

Presumably the FAI, Daniel Kearns and FIFA are sending representatives as well to argue against the IFA's case or is that even a requirement?

[EalingGreen]

Put the handbag away, EG - if I was having a dig at you I'd quote your post

By referring to your team as "Ireland", you are having a dig at my team, therefore me. For whilst I normally accept the (incorrect but) casual use of "Ireland" on threads like these when referring to the FAI team generally, when it is placed directly alongside the NI team, it is quite simply wrong (and irritating).

Many thanks for the pedantic reference to the Four Associations Tournament. Catchy.

Not my choice of title; if you want to know whose it was, perhaps you might take another look at whose website it was I quoted? After all, when it comes to the issue of nomenclature etc, I've seen ROI fans on here refusing to recognise the authority of FIFA; now it seems you are reluctant even to accept that of your own Association...

Is it the Celtic reference you object to

Not particularly, no. Afaiaa, it was the SFA who objected most strongly to that suggested title.

or were you just being particularly pedantic?

Seeing as it is actually easier, quicker and more correct to post "ROI" (and NI), it is arguably you who is being pedantic, by insisting on "Ireland". (I'll put the Celtic Cup reference down to ignorance/laziness)

[awec]

TBH, I don't care if they call themselves Ireland, Republic of Ireland or the "Better than those Nordie b**tards" Ireland.

[Charlie Darwin]

They're interchangable for me. Ireland is what most of us southerners call our country.

[gspain]

I would gladly take 3 hammerings in the Celtic/Four Associations/4 nations/whatever you want to call it/we need to pay for the Aviva stadium/mouse cup if we could be guaranteed that we'd be in Poland/Ukraine for the finals of a really important tournament in June 2012. So I don't think it will really settle too much on the pitch next year when we play. We have 2 huge games v Macedonia in the first half of 2011 and some friendlies.

Having said that I'll be at our 3 games and more than likely the other 3 in the tournament as well.

[Den Perry]

This competition seems like a good idea. However I'd worry that we me may encounter some of the hooligans that came to Dublin when Glentoran were here recently. Or indeed those that fought with the Polish in Belfast

[Sullivinho]

Ireland is what most of us southerners call our country.

True. The last time I heard anyone say "Republic of...", they were talking about Cork exclusively.




A relief all the same to know usage of the word isn't against house rules.

[awec]

Arguing over a name is a bit pedantic IMO, live and let live.

My worry is when NI play the ROI, there'll be hangers on from both sides who'll do their best to darken the name of both countries and ruin what would be a fantastic day for all genuine supporters.

Hopefully I'm wrong though.