NI boss targets Republic's Gibson

[Maroon 7]

Worthington still stirring today.

Northern Ireland boss Nigel Worthington has drafted Tony Kane into his squad for the Euro 2008 qualifiers against Latvia and Iceland next week.

The 22-year-old Blackburn Rovers full-back has decided to switch allegiance from the Republic of Ireland to the country of his birth.
Kane has played in two U21 friendlies for the Republic.
"I was extremely encouraged by the response of Tony to our invitation to join the squad," said Worthington.
Kane represented the Republic after playing for Northern Ireland at U18 and U19 level.
Worthington has promoted the defender from the N Ireland U21 squad.
"I feel he can benefit enormously from the experience and I'm encouraged by his enthusiasm to participate," Worthington told the Sunday Life.
"This is a very positive sign for the IFA and the team itself."
Kane's call-up follows the controversy over Manchester United youngster Darron Gibson, who is at the centre of a dispute between the Republic and Northern Ireland over his eligibility.
The Londonderry man, who impressed in the Republic's friendly win over Denmark, is in their squad for the Euro 2008 qualifiers against Slovakia and the Czech Republic.
But the the Irish FA, which governs football in Northern Ireland, believes the the FAI will break Fifa rules if Gibson plays in either game.
Northern Ireland are awaiting a Fifa ruling on Gibson's elibility.
"I will be doing everything in my power to get him (Gibson) into our system," added Worthington.
"He's in the Republic squad but I really can't see them playing him.
"If he plays and then Fifa deem he isn't eligible for them then they could be punished and they wouldn't take the risk of losing points when the decision could still go against them."
Northern Ireland captain Aaron Hughes has been ruled out of the qualifier against Latvia in Riga on Saturday 8 September.
The Fulham defender is aiming to be fit to return for the game against Iceland four days later. Hughes missed the recent 3-1 win over Liechtenstein with a knee injury from which he has yet to fully recover

[geysir]

More bull, yet another example of ignorance of FIFA procedures by Nigel and his cohorts.
"If he plays and then Fifa deem he isn't eligible for them they could be punished and they wouldn't take the risk of losing points"
Birds of a feather dreaming together.

[lopez]

...are you really trying to justify your espousal of the singing of partisan political songs at football matches as a means of "controlling" demand for tickets? Does this mean you feel such songs should not be sung at matches which might not otherwise sell out?

Nope. I'm sure my original opinion stands: for you to berate the owner of a private website for expressing his support for his compatriots who are fighting overseas (not the actual conflict itself, btw), when you support the singing of political songs at a public football match is pure hypocrisy.

"Football For All?" - Not when you're Lopez, it would seem...

'Football for All'? Sounds like 'educashun, educashun, educashun' and other hollow slogans. The day that GSTQ is replaced is the day that the IFA can claim they are truly promoting 'football for all'.

As for us, I can't see the ticket situation getting better. Three times in the past four years, I've had to get tickets in the home end for Ireland away games. However, while no one can question your desperation to get everyone within the O6C to either play (Gibson, Kane etc.) or support (I see your doing a bit of doorstep Jehovah Witnessing on the Kane thread) NI, I'd hate to see anyone from Ireland who finds either the Soldier's Song or the Tricolour unrepresentative of their 'tradition' suffering at an Ireland game, when there are teams that play an anthem wholly representative of their tradition that they can go and watch (NI or - normally I'd say if you want to see a decent side, but as you keep banging on, there isn't much difference in the quality - England).

And that's the difference between me and Marty. Unless I'm mistaken, he wants all nationalists to support NI and no one else, while ramming his political views - including support of the military, which within your society is a subject you'd think anyone with a quarter of a brain seeking to attract nationalists to WP would avoid - down their throats. In contrast, I'm not in the business of attracting unionists to Croke Park. Not now, nor in the event that we ever need to rent fans in, like what is clearly the case with you. They'd hate it!

[EalingGreen]

'Football for All'? Sounds like 'educashun, educashun, educashun' and other hollow slogans. The day that GSTQ is replaced is the day that the IFA can claim they are truly promoting 'football for all'.

As for us, I can't see the ticket situation getting better. Three times in the past four years, I've had to get tickets in the home end for Ireland away games. However, while no one can question your desperation to get everyone within the O6C to either play (Gibson, Kane etc.) or support (I see your doing a bit of doorstep Jehovah Witnessing on the Kane thread) NI, I'd hate to see anyone from Ireland who finds either the Soldier's Song or the Tricolour unrepresentative of their 'tradition' suffering at an Ireland game, when there are teams that play an anthem wholly representative of their tradition that they can go and watch (NI or - normally I'd say if you want to see a decent side, but as you keep banging on, there isn't much difference in the quality - England).

And that's the difference between me and Marty. Unless I'm mistaken, he wants all nationalists to support NI and no one else, while ramming his political views - including support of the military, which within your society is a subject you'd think anyone with a quarter of a brain seeking to attract nationalists to WP would avoid - down their throats. In contrast, I'm not in the business of attracting unionists to Croke Park. Not now, nor in the event that we ever need to rent fans in, like what is clearly the case with you. They'd hate it!

I have long wanted to see GSTQ replaced as the home anthem at NI games. But whilst this may have the welcome side effect of encouraging some Nationalists in NI to accept that they are genuinely welcome to support the team, that is not actually my primary motive. Rather, it is because I do not see my support for the NI football team as in some way asserting my "Britishness", rather it is much simpler: I am a football fan from NI who therefore supports the football team from NI. Consequently, I would prefer a uniquely NI anthem to reflect that.

As such, I especially deplore those few remaining "Loyalist" knuckle-draggers who insist on besmirching GSTQ with a desultory two-second "No Surrender" and would see a new anthem as worth it for frustrating them alone. However, I equally deplore those football fans from NI whose Republicanism would never allow them to recognise, never mind support, any NI team, even if GSTQ were replaced. As such, I see each as bad as the other in their insistance on allowing their politics to override their sportsmanship.

Which, in the context of the ROI, is where you come in. Were I an ROI fan, I'm sure I would be equally embarrassed and disgusted by people like you who advocate singing party political songs at ROI matches. And the fact that it is coming from some "plastic" with a cockney accent, who likes to lecture other Irishmen born and bred about what it means to be "truly" Irish(!), shouldn't make a difference, but somehow it does.

Beyond that, I really never quite understand just what the hell you are on about. What is this Jehovah's Witness reference? Why on earth would I ever want to support England? (Though I can see why you might...).

As for Marty, he merely wants everyone from NI to support the NI team. As such, I have never known him to do anything at any NI match, home or away, which could even remotely be characterised as "shoving down the throat" of anyone his personal convictions.
On the contrary, I have frequently witnessed his active campaigning against e.g. the wearing of Linfield/Rangers colours to matches, the shouting of No Surrender during GSTQ and the singing of party songs. That is because whatever his privately held views, when he is with NI the only "military" he is interested in is "The Green And White Army"

[lopez]

I have long wanted to see GSTQ replaced as the home anthem at NI games. But whilst this may have the welcome side effect of encouraging some Nationalists in NI to accept that they are genuinely welcome to support the team, that is not actually my primary motive. Rather, it is because I do not see my support for the NI football team as in some way asserting my "Britishness", rather it is much simpler: I am a football fan from NI who therefore supports the football team from NI. Consequently, I would prefer a uniquely NI anthem to reflect that.

I couldn't care less what it means to you. I want to know how the IFA square this 'football for all' you brought up with playing GSTQ.

As such, I especially deplore those few remaining "Loyalist" knuckle-draggers who insist on besmirching GSTQ with a desultory two-second "No Surrender" and would see a new anthem as worth it for frustrating them alone. However, I equally deplore those football fans from NI whose Republicanism would never allow them to recognise, never mind support, any NI team, even if GSTQ were replaced. As such, I see each as bad as the other in their insistance on allowing their politics to override their sportsmanship.

If the IFA did all they could, then they can say, well we did our bit, that's all. Not that I'm interested in them taking our support in the O6C from us.

Which, in the context of the ROI, is where you come in. Were I an ROI fan, I'm sure I would be equally embarrassed and disgusted by people like you who advocate singing party political songs at ROI matches.

Apart from the SS, I don't sing 'political songs' at Ireland matches.

And the fact that it is coming from some "plastic" with a cockney accent, who likes to lecture other Irishmen born and bred about what it means to be "truly" Irish(!), shouldn't make a difference, but somehow it does.

Still sore about me rejecting my 'Britishness', I see. If someone's Irishness is a form of regionalism, I'd say it's they that's the plastic.

As for Marty, he merely wants everyone from NI to support the NI team. As such, I have never known him to do anything at any NI match, home or away, which could even remotely be characterised as "shoving down the throat" of anyone his personal convictions.
On the contrary, I have frequently witnessed his active campaigning against e.g. the wearing of Linfield/Rangers colours to matches, the shouting of No Surrender during GSTQ and the singing of party songs. That is because whatever his privately held views, when he is with NI the only "military" he is interested in is "The Green And White Army"

These were not privately held views but something he chose to plaster across the top of a major NI fans forum. Maybe you can ask other Northerners on here, but I think the message was clear. Support us, but on our own terms. If he was seriously aiming to stamp out politics around NI and attract at least some nationalist support, he's shown he's either totally stupid, or that in reality he's indifferent about it.

[EalingGreen]

Here's what I posted last October. It was stupid of me not to regard it. I can only pleas forgetfulness.

"Lopez,
Following another thread, I've come to realise that it's futile for me to debate any such topic with you, not just because I risk allowing myself to get drawn into endless controversy, to the nth degree of pettiness, but also because it seems to me that the style and content of your posts inevitably say more about you and your opinions than I ever could.
So by all means, keep posting, indeed keep posting in response to my posts if you like; just don't expect me to reciprocate."

[as_i_say]

It was stupid of you to disregard. It would have saved another few column inches of drivel from being read by, argh-me..........

[greendeiseboy]

Were any of Darrens parents or grandparents born in the Republic - if they were this would make him automatically qualified to represent us i'm sure

[Paddy Garcia]

Were any of Darrens parents or grandparents born in the Republic - if they were this would make him automatically qualified to represent us i'm sure

I don't think so - hence the debate that is now on-going and on-going.

[lopez]

Here's what I posted last October. It was stupid of me not to regard it. I can only pleas forgetfulness.

"Lopez,
Following another thread, I've come to realise that it's futile for me to debate any such topic with you, not just because I risk allowing myself to get drawn into endless controversy, to the nth degree of pettiness, but also because it seems to me that the style and content of your posts inevitably say more about you and your opinions than I ever could.
So by all means, keep posting, indeed keep posting in response to my posts if you like; just don't expect me to reciprocate."

Ahhh, Ealing no want to play with me anymore.

Were any of Darrens parents or grandparents born in the Republic - if they were this would make him automatically qualified to represent us i'm sure

I don't think so - hence the debate that is now on-going and on-going.

His grandparents or great grandparents would have been born in pre partition Ireland when the country was whole (if NI is a 'country', so was pre-partition Ireland). Wasn't there something about 'historical connection' with a country in part of that FIFA rulling stuff?

[cavan_fan]

Does anyone else think this has become like some religious debate about angels on pinheads. Having at one point been partially responsilbe for reviving it I can only apologise.

Having said that I see it's only 104 (now 103) posts off the Ian Harte thread's record, and it probably is adding as much value!

[greendeiseboy]

Religion and politics should have no place in sport. It sickens me that in an island as small as ours that this is the way it appears to be. Whatever about normal banter and rivalry, which is what sport is all about, your religious and political outlook should never come into it.

Personally i couldn't give two f's what anyone's persuassion is and the narrowmindedness of some of these posts in this regard is worrying.

Will this island ever be fully be at peace......... i doubt it if we cant even except our differences on a footbal pitch

[Noelys Guitar]

Religion and politics should have no place in sport. It sickens me that in an island as small as ours that this is the way it appears to be. Whatever about normal banter and rivalry, which is what sport is all about, your religious and political outlook should never come into it.

Personally i couldn't give two f's what anyone's persuassion is and the narrowmindedness of some of these posts in this regard is worrying.

Will this island ever be fully be at peace......... i doubt it if we cant even except our differences on a footbal pitch

I really hate reasonable poeple like you. There should be a law to ban cont on p98.

[greendeiseboy]

just p**sed of with the sh*te on this thread........... come on uganda!!!!!!!!

[cheifo]

I still think he should have went out on loan.

[EalingGreen]

Maybe, just maybe, Darron's "I've only ever wanted to play for the Republic" credentials may not be quite what they seem, if this report in tonight's Belfast Telegraph is anything to go by:



United ace is backing Gibson in IFA row
Don't blame Darron, says Jonny
Monday, September 03, 2007
By Alex McGreevy

Darron Gibson's Manchester United team-mate Jonny Evans has backed his pal's decision to play for the Republic of Ireland instead of his native Northern Ireland.

Evans, who returns to Northern Ireland duty for the Euro 2008 qualifiers against Latvia and Iceland, believes the Irish FA failed to make Gibson feel part of their future plans after the defender opted to leave the schoolboy Victory Shield squad to take a trial at Old Trafford several years ago.

The IFA say, however, they have done everything to try and persuade Gibson to play for them and are continuing to do so.

The Belfast Telegraph revealed last week that Northern Ireland boss Nigel Worthington warned Republic manager Steve Staunton NOT to play Gibson in forthcoming Euro 2008 qualifiers against Slovakia or the Czech Republic in case they later lose points after FIFA give their verdict on the case.

Evans though says he understands Derry-born Gibson's decision and refutes previous claims his colleague switched countries for religious and political reasons.

Evans said: "I honestly believe Darron would be a Northern Ireland player today but for the IFA. I have spoken with him on many occasions about the issue and he always says it was Northern Ireland that left him with no choice.

"It's been written that Darron based his decision on religion and politics but that's rubbish. I know the guy and he's not like that. He just wants to play football at the highest level and the FAI made him feel welcome.

"Anyway, I think it's too far gone now for him to make a return. Hopefully, in the future, there will be less players switching from Northern Ireland."


Anyhow, if we have lost Gibson because the IFA screwed him around, then that is greatly to be regretted, and I wish him all the best in his future career (assuming he is eligible for the ROI).

However, if he turns out to be ineligible, I hope he can see fit to reconsider playing for NI, like Kane has done. It may be extremely unlikely, as Evans thinks, but my guess is he would receive a good reception from the great majority of fans if he did.

[dr_peepee]

The FAI made him feel welcome...

He didn't feel welcome at the IFA...

He chose to play for the Republic...

The solution is apparently to remove the choice?

[lopez]

Maybe, just maybe, Darron's "I've only ever wanted to play for the Republic" credentials may not be quite what they seem, if this report in tonight's Belfast Telegraph is anything to go by:

Believe everything you read in a paper, do we?

[co. down green]

Believe everything you read in a paper, do we?

So true, with lines like - The IFA say, however, they have done everything to try and persuade Gibson to play for them and are continuing to do so

Eventhough a spokesman for the family, speaking to UTV in February 07 said that no one from the IFA had approached or contacted Gibson, his family, Manchester United or his representative in England in the last two years and wondered about the real motives regarding the IFA’s sudden interest in their son’s international career and why it was being done via the media.

I'm not sure how this 'hack' Alex McCreevy can claim it as his article when its simply a part-regurgitated story from yesterday's Sunday Times sports supplement.

Easy money

[Maroon 7]

Well a poster on OWC has worked it all out. Even though most of it is nonsense and doesn't seem to have much to do with football.

"I think you will find that the will of the people of Northern Ireland will never be for a united Ireland, or at least separation from the UK.

Northern Ireland has always enjoyed superior roads, healthcare, education, public services to our neighbours in the Republic. I live in Dublin, being from East Belfast, for purely mercenary reasons. I would never bring up a child here, I would hate to grow old here, I would hate to become ill here and I would hate to be down on my luck here.

Most educated Catholic people from Northern Ireland would choose to remain part of the UK due to the superior quality of life. And many who don't would regret it once they came to live in a Dublin controlled state. SDLP largely tend to dodge the United Ireland question but claim to work for a better life for nationalists within the Union.

I definitely support both football teams and I am glad that there are two teams. I loved cheering ROI in 2002. But I support Northern Ireland principally and if the two teams were to play together, my allegiance would be with NI 100%. I would probably watch with my friends from the Republic and have a good bit of banter. I am from a Catholic family and was educated at a Catholic school. My father played and sang on the record released by the Northern Ireland Showbiz Association for Mexico 86 ("Mexico here we go!") and the caretaker from our school sang on it. Both Catholic men. I am sure there were more.

I genuinely believe if you look at the Catholic population of Northern Ireland, or at least in Belfast, the divisions between those supporting NI and those supporting ROI are largely socio-economic and education driven. Having gone to a large Catholic grammar school, I'd say that the support was maybe 60:40 to NI. And those who were from less advantaged backgrounds, in the main, tended to support ROI.

A few different points on different tangents there. Some people may disagree but it is what is rolling around in my head."