QuoteHow ? Tbh, Amhran na bhFiann is an embarrasment.Originally Posted by Den Perry
If you say so. If it's 'intolerant' to counter intolerance, wherever it exists, so be it.
How ? Tbh, Amhran na bhFiann is an embarrasment.
I'm a Northern Ireland supporter because I was born in Northern Ireland - not because I'm intolerant.
PS. Wasn't Jake Burns of SLF a big Northern Ireland fan - appearing on TOTP once upon a time in his Northern Ireland shirt? Maybe I'm mistaken.
The Englishmen came over in the year 2005
But little did they know that we'd planned a wee surprise
Sir David scored the winner, and Windsor Park went wild
And this is what we sang...
Sure is, Peadar!
Why not pull up a stool and join us?
Since for obvious reasons (anthem, flags and other emblems etc!), players from a Protestant/Unionist background are much less likely to make the first approach to the FAI, then the FAI must know that if they are to recruit such players to their team, it must be down to them (FAI) to initiate contact.Are you sure?
Which is not to say that the FAI would decline if so approached (I'm sure they wouldn't), but it must surely be salient that (to my knowledge), every* single NI-born player who has represented ROI, or trained with them, or disclosed that he has been approached by the FAI but declined, has been from a Catholic/Nationalist background.
"If it walks like a duck..."
* - The sole exception was Kernaghan, who only approached the FAI after being rejected by the IFA for spurious (imo) reasons. It is safe to say that 20 years on, such an occurrence could/would not happen today.
So the FAI seeks, and is given, a Gentlemens Agreement that the two Associations should not pick each others players.
Then the FAI unilaterally breaks it.
Then we complain about this through the proper channels (FIFA).
But when FIFA determines, under an idiosyncracy in the ROI's citizenship laws not available to any of the other 207 Member Associations, that the FAI should be allowed to get away with it, it is somehow our fault?
Fair enough, we accept that we "lost" and we will deal with it (in fact, are dealing with it).
But don't expect us to like it, especially when accused of all sorts by those who broke their word to us in the first place.
Fcuk Me! An ROI fan dispensing this advice on an ROI fans' website, in the wake of the Henry handball?
Oh the irony...
I hope there is a Setanta Cup next year.
There's nothing "derby" about Linfield and Rovers.
The Englishmen came over in the year 2005
But little did they know that we'd planned a wee surprise
Sir David scored the winner, and Windsor Park went wild
And this is what we sang...
What songs and emblems were "banned"?
The Englishmen came over in the year 2005
But little did they know that we'd planned a wee surprise
Sir David scored the winner, and Windsor Park went wild
And this is what we sang...
I couldn't be arsed responding to the rest of your post, since although self-evidently irrelevant, meretricious garbage, it is also opinion.
However, the above comment about the OurWeeCountry MB is an allegation of fact, which cannot be allowed to go unchallenged.
Re the Beggars tag, some fan use it (inc. myself occasionally), others don't. If anyone wants to know why I do not think that inappropriate per se, then they can pm me, or open a separate thread. (The number "33" might help explain, mind
However, it is quite simply a lie to claim that the term "taig" is even occasionally used, never mind "commonplace".
Another lie. I happen to know that the Mods clamp down very quickly and firmly on any poster you uses any sectarian epithets, whether against one side or the other.
In fact, I think it is correct to say that they have cause to ban more Loyalist stirrers than Republicans.
Then again, there is an "Uber-Prod" strand of opinion within the football fanbase in NI which considers the OWC website and its members to be "fenian-loving handwringers etc".
Ironically, I find such dinosaurs have more in common with their counterparts on the Republican* side than they do with anyone else.
P.S. If they are "silent", how do you know they are a "minority"? Or even condemning it?
* - You don't happen to wear a cap, by any chance? And if so, does it fit?
Every single player? Is there some sort of tagging system in place in NI that allows the FAI to quickly catalogue between who's Nationalist, who's Unionist etc etc?
The FAI picks anybody that's good enough and wants to play for us regardless. You know this.
The game has evolved since this supposed Gentleman's Agreement came into existance. You probably were alive when it happened and remember it like yesterday so can you tell us if this supposed Gentleman's Agreement was binding for eternity? And who exactly shoke hands on this agreement?So the FAI seeks, and is given, a Gentlemens Agreement that the two Associations should not pick each others players.
Then the FAI unilaterally breaks it.
Then we complain about this through the proper channels (FIFA).
But when FIFA determines, under an idiosyncracy in the ROI's citizenship laws not available to any of the other 207 Member Associations, that the FAI should be allowed to get away with it, it is somehow our fault?
Fair enough, we accept that we "lost" and we will deal with it (in fact, are dealing with it).
But don't expect us to like it, especially when accused of all sorts by those who broke their word to us in the first place.
Maybe it was Henry's hand that shoke on the afore mentioned Gentleman's agreement? If so, we obviously couldn't accept the validity of said agreement as we were clearly cheated out of something that's rightfully ours (so to speak).Fcuk Me! An ROI fan dispensing this advice on an ROI fans' website, in the wake of the Henry handball?
Oh the irony...
Nonsense! It would only be wrong for such people to get involved in the IFA if they allowed their personal opinions to inform the conduct of their official functions.
Otherwise, in the light of eg the present Catholic abuse scandal, it might be considered "wrong" for any senior member of the Catholic church to be involved in running the FAI or GAA etc.
Therefore, if you have any evidence that Kennedy (or others within the IFA) have discriminated against Cathilics/Nationalists etc, you had better either produce it, or retract.
P.S. I am (genuinely) curious to know exactly how "senior" an Orangeman Kennedy is. Can you enlighten me?
Gather Round has already explained the practical reasons why Unionists should make up a majority of the office bearers of the IFA.
However, that should surely only be a problem if, like Kennedy and his Orangeism (above), they use that to discriminate against non-Unionists.
Now notwithstanding that historically, at least one Catholic/Nationalist was elected to the position of President of the IFA, or that the team has had several Catholic managers (including the very first) etc, I accept that in the past the IFA has had a Unionist "slant" to it, and I condemn that.
But if you have any evidence that non-Unionists are presently being discriminated against by the IFA, I would be very pleased to hear it.
Otherwise, I might be tempted to assume that you are an ill-informed stirrer, who may be making things up, perhaps to justify your own disinclination to support fellow Down men like David Healy, when they attempt to represent their/your country on the international stage?
Firstly, I'm doubtful that the Setanta Cup will run next year.
The "colour scheme" will be absolutely no different to a Linfield v Donegal Celtic fixture (which, frankly, didn't cause much of a stir in recent times).
I wouldn't see the game having anything like the "spark" of a big Linfield v Glentoran league fixture.
I doubt it would be any different to Linfield v Shelbourne or St Pats.
Setanta Cup is dying a death, sadly.
The Englishmen came over in the year 2005
But little did they know that we'd planned a wee surprise
Sir David scored the winner, and Windsor Park went wild
And this is what we sang...
Tbh, ever since the days of Jack Charlton (and before), that has been so obvious as not to need pointing out!
However, since no team can pick someone who simply does not want to play for them, how far do you think the FAI should go in order to make themselves "acceptable" (attractive) to every Irish man or woman?
You see, I ask this question because my team regularly gets castigated for being "unacceptable" to Northern Nationalists because of its (partisan) anthem and flags etc.
Therefore, as a fan of the ROI team, do you not agree that in order to be consistent, the FAI should replace their own (partisan) anthem and flag etc, so as to be equally acceptable to Northern Unionists?
Or is it only one of the two Irish international football teams which should be required to "jump through hoops" in order to justify their existence?
If nothing else, if there ever were to be a single Irish team, one might expect the new Association to replace all partisan emblems etc, and replace them with something which is entirely acceptable to all.
Or are concepts like equality and fairness only something which apply when you can't get things entirely your own way? I suppose we might ask Thierry Henry?
P.S. I am not for one moment suggesting that the FAI should replace the SS or Tricolour, merely pointing out the double standards of some of the critics of the IFA etc.
If you say so.I couldn't be arsed responding to the rest of your post, since although self-evidently irrelevant, meretricious garbage, it is also opinion.
However, the above comment about the OurWeeCountry MB is an allegation of fact, which cannot be allowed to go unchallenged.
Re the Beggars tag, some fan use it (inc. myself occasionally), others don't.
(The number "33" might help explain, mind
However, it is quite simply a lie to claim that the term "taig" is even occasionally used, never mind "commonplace".
Another lie. I happen to know that the Mods clamp down very quickly and firmly on any poster you uses any sectarian epithets, whether against one side or the other.
In fact, I think it is correct to say that they have cause to ban more Loyalist stirrers than Republicans.
Then again, there is an "Uber-Prod" strand of opinion within the football fanbase in NI which considers the OWC website and its members to be "fenian-loving handwringers etc".
Ironically, I find such dinosaurs have more in common with their counterparts on the Republican side than they do with anyone else.
P.S. If they are "silent", how do you know they are a "minority"? Or even condemning it?
See my answer to NB above.
For all my criticisms, he seems to have a greater grasp of the situation.
Perhaps the 're-education' programme should pick up another potential taker out in W.London??
Anyway, thought you were 'staying out of this thread' ??
Not sure that "The Billy Boys" was "banned" - it has certainly been "out of favour" amongst the supporters at our games, and would be frowned upon by the vast majority. A lot of these issues are dealt with by way of fans "self policing" themselves. Our stewards would certainly do little or nothing about it - but that's another story.
I would like to think that bans would result for those who would engage in such a ditty at a Northern Ireland game nowadays.
I don't re-call seeing a plethora of either UDA flags or UVF flags at any Northern Ireland game I've attended over 40 years - had there of been, I suspect the rival groupings would have been kicking lumps out of eachother.
Last edited by Not Brazil; 10/12/2009 at 3:02 PM.
The Englishmen came over in the year 2005
But little did they know that we'd planned a wee surprise
Sir David scored the winner, and Windsor Park went wild
And this is what we sang...
Actually, FIFA leaves the four British Associations pretty much to themselves to sort out such "boundary disputes", which they (the four Associations) manage to do quite amicably, by way of freely negotiated and observed agreement.
Of course, such an arrangement can only obtain on the basis that the participants are willing to behave in a respectful and, ahem, "gentlemanly" fashion - something which would probably preclude the FAI ever deciding to renounce their breakaway, and rejoin the IFA...
P.S. If you knew your history, you would be aware that the four British Associations do not "keep a whole FIFA department going"; rather, it was we who kept the entire organisation (FIFA) going, when it faced bankruptcy following WWII (or "The Emergency", as you might better know it)
EG,
Do you vaguely remember some group of well intended do gooders go on about something like "Building An Ireland Of Equals"?
If I could remember who it was, I'd pop them an email seeking their thoughts on some of the questions you pose.
The Englishmen came over in the year 2005
But little did they know that we'd planned a wee surprise
Sir David scored the winner, and Windsor Park went wild
And this is what we sang...
Well, if you say differently, produce the evidence to support your spurious allegation.
The Englishmen came over in the year 2005
But little did they know that we'd planned a wee surprise
Sir David scored the winner, and Windsor Park went wild
And this is what we sang...
I've been going to Windsor since 1988. You would need to go out of your way to be offended now by anything these days and I see the main complaints now centre over GSTQ and Stand Up for the Ulstermen. Although some people will always find a reason to be offended.
Northern Ireland have a team that anyone of any race or religion could go and support. It is simply a group of noisy passionate football fans.
There were certainly problems in the past although they were often blown out of proportion particularly in 1993 hoqwever there were certainly comments and songs that wouldn't be heard and would be totally unacceptable today.
Dude. Seriously??? What has the FAI got to do with Nationalists from Northern Ireland not feeling adequately represented within the IFA (assuming that is the case)? I haven't read every word of every post so I could be quoting you out of context.
And about the same number of countries (9) dominate world football. Brazil, Italy, Germany = New Zealand, S. Africa & Australia. USA is ranked 14 at the moment! Quality not quantity. Football, like rugby has no Asian presence.
I do agree though that Ireland's Call is an embarrassment. The sentiment is right, but the execution is s**te.
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