Not quite sure what you mean by that: I was only referring to Duffy (i.e. I'm unaware of any other young goalkeeping or striking prospects who are considering defecting)
Notwithstanding his call-up for the Italy and Albania games (for both of which we were beset by injuries/withdrawals), Duffy's still a long way from establishing himself in the NI senior team.
Our first choice pairing is Evans (22) and Hughes (30), both EPL regulars who injuries etc permitting, will form the backbone of our defence for the next 3 years+.
In their absence, we have Duff, McAuley, Craigan and Baird, who have all played CB to a good level , McCartney who can fill in, plus Cathcart (Man U 21 year old on loan at Watford), who as a prospect must still be said to be ahead of Duffy.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craig_Cathcart
Of course, if Duffy turns out to be as good as he looks, in another 3 or 4 years time he could be another Richard Dunne etc.
If so, then Good Luck to him (and you) - we'll just get on with it.
Should the guy be included in the U21 squad now for the upcoming Armenia game?
This is an interesting one. Gotten all the way to the full Northern Irish squad and then decides that he'd rather represent another country? I'd be mightily píssed off if someone did that for the ROI, even if he was far from a star player. If it's really what was in his heart all along then good for him I guess.
Those kind of posts are a bit out of order really Greenbod. We've been lucky to get a promising defender who appears to feel more Irish than Northern Irish and may not make the grade for us. Not really something worth gloating about is it?
It was under 14 level that Milner played for us according to wiki
Its really not that complicated!!!
This is great news ive been watching Duffy now for a while at Everton. He has progressed well, good solid defender that can score too. Played well in europe for Everton and has never looked out of place.
Im delighted that him and the excellent Seamus Coleman are at everton.
Could be a question on whether he could play in the Euro qual for us as he is already 'cup tied'. There use to be some sort of reference to that in the FIFA regulation.
Sounds like the IFA are becoming experts in shooting both feet at the same time. Duffy is hardly 18 and his short intl carer is littered with one misunderstanding after another. Worthington sounds as if he is a bit of a goof as well.
Has the penny dropped yet with the IFA yet that 6 county born can declare for the FAI or are they going to protest to FIFA?
Great news!!!
Its tough for some NI fans to accept that this can happen, as that's the way they were brought up (with the divine right to dictate to others what they can do).
Duffy will enjoy playing in the modern European city that is Dublin, where the jackboot of the Orangeman cannot trample over his hopes and dreams
Dosent matter where he was born in this case as his dad is from the Republic.
Judging by reports on BBC Northern Ireland at tea time the IFA are really upset with this one and as I stated earlier I cant blame them. They were the ones who gave him his chance when the FAI didnt. They were saying on this that they are going to pull out the stops to ensure this dosent happen again - legal action was mentioned as well so I dont expect this one to go away.
Nonetheless delighted he has joined us.
I have a head only Snow White would love
Welcome home Shane
I hope you have a great carreer at club level and international level.
Hopefully you will have great experiences at the new Landsdowne road and playing for Ireland.
That was Andy Lonergan. In fact he was tapped up by an English coach at a hotel which was being shared by the Irish & English teams.
However strange reference to later in interest in us below (is that rule not now gone!).
http://www.pnefc.net/page/ProfilesDe...~21722,00.html
They've no come back on this one with, as you say, his Da being from Donegal. Do the IFA realise this, they way they're talking on what I've heard on the radio is as if this is another case like Gibson. This is no different from what happens all over world football these days, there's no basis to any threats about legal action or going back to FIFA.
" I wish to God that someone would be able to block out the voices in my head for five minutes, the voices that scream, over and over again: "Why do they come to me to die?"
No. I think the legal action will be with regard to players like Gibson etc who have no connection in their eyes as such with the Republic and preventing them from declaring. Its always been a sore point with the IFA and it's becoming increasingly common now for more and more lads in the North declaring for us as with the case of the two lads called up to the under 19 squad and also Marc Wilson regardless of whether or not they have ties down here - which under the rules is their right and in my opinion should be.
Last edited by greendeiseboy; 22/02/2010 at 7:36 PM.
I have a head only Snow White would love
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