Not going to drag the thread further OT, but unsurprisingly I disagree almost entirely with everything you've said. A little purple hardbacked document with an emblem on the front trumps a feeling or a state of mind every day of the week. Thats why people give up their lives for the right to get it.
I've been searching for a reference myself and am similarily turning up a blank I'm afraid so as per the 'back it up or pack it up' rule I'll respectfully draw my horns in.
My sources thereafter are anecdotal and include an incident where an introductory letter addressed to the President of the Irish Republic was handed back.
She's not your wife til she says I do and they're not NI players til they're capped. As for 'recruiting' -a single anecdote about Brian Kerr phoning Chris Baird aside there's scarcely any more evidence of it than there is of the IFA using the milk cup to tap up England youths for their side.so, 74 pages later, should we stop recruiting NI players?
On the substantive issue I've said before I'm uncomfortable with players being cuckoos eggs in the NI setup before switching to us. Though there's nothing illegal in it. We'll see what happens when CAS release their details but it might be the case that they recommend (I truthfully have no idea if they've the power, inclination or remit to do so) a local arrangment between the IFA and FAI. But I have my doubts if that's actually in NIs best interests either. As things stand they get to 'make their case' first and show what the IFA set up has to offer to kids who's inclination may be to play for us (RoI). If the FAs come up with some local arrangment the IFA might be getting a lot more Thanks But No Thanks from such kids when call ups go out.
In my very first post on this topic I said as much (okay I long windedly implied it's author was a WUM). It should maybe be changed to something like 'Player Eligibility Row' but that's up to the mods.Poorly worded thread title. They're Irish players
" 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?"
I was talking about their ability to use some shred of sense, not that they belong to different parties.
And hereditary political dynisties? I'm instinctively republican, but I can see why so many have survived and why so many were destroyed. The Italian and Spanish were kicked out through their weakness to stand up to fascism. The Danish survived by standing up to fascism. The Spanish one returned through fascism and brought itself some credibility by dismantling the fascist state through its own rules then, its head, sticking his head on the line to ensure fascism would not return. The obvious problem is when you get a d*ckhead as the pretender, but then in some democratic republics, people often vote them in. Someone mention George Bush? Or even Charles Haughey?
This is the cooooooooooooolest footy forum I've ever seen!
Yawn
Except as ever on this, you're Wrong. 95% of those players would have Irish-born parents. A bit like the families of all the players now claimed by the North! Anyway, for most people this isn't really a problem. However....
You obviously despise the concept of Diaspora*, which is pretty insulting not just to the Irish, but many other ethnic groups in a similar way around the world....
If they* want to play for the Ireland football team, rather than one that wants to be part of Britain, that would make them 'more' Irish in the eyes of most people who weren't paranoid.....
Well it is the Conservative & Unionist party. But they still got p*ss-all support in the North.Not true in the recent general election- the Conservative Party fielded candidates, in co-operation with the Ulster Unionist Party, in 17 of the 18 NI constituencies. And even in Fermanagh/ South Tyrone the single agreed non-nationalist candidate said that if elected he would broadly support the Tories.
As you suggest, it'a a shame that Labour (the only other British party which has been capable of leading a government in the last 90-100 years) can't be bothered to stand.
And why would Labour be bothered with a colony half of their traditional voters have never recognised??
Well, they could hardly do any worse than the two teams mediocre record you keep referring to!I fear it might be just a bit more difficult for this notional unionist-welcoming RoI football team to match the rugby boys' exploits. Like the competition in European/ World football being a bit stiffer. Anyway, the eggchasers' success basically amounts to topping the European qualifying group occasionally, if less often than Scotland or Wales.
Maybe you should take it up with Bl*tter & co, but on current evidence you know less about the game than even them!And maybe more in the future, given the large number of English players in our U-19 and U-21 squads. All qualify within the rules, but personally I think it makes international football look a bit daft when so many are from outside the country.
So now you speak for all immigrants?? Because on this, you're again very very wrong.I didn't, rather offering a rational explanation that people who are born, grow up and live their whole lives in England are likely to feel at least a bit English (and to have English, or at least non-Irish, parentage and grandparentage).
I've 15 first cousins btw, four of whom grew up entirely outside NI. While interested in family history and that, they see themselves as English and Canadian.
Some do and some don't assimilate into host cultures. Is there a law that they should, either way?
Though notice none of your family claim to be, er, 'Irish'. So no change there!
More patronising BS, outside the unionist community.Part of Ireland has been part of Britain (the British state, if you prefer) continously for centuries. So many people feeling British is perfectly natural.
What foreign players ??u might see the odd one, hamstrung by the odd eligibility rules like Kernaghan or who went off in a huff after arguing with the IFA (like McGeady, allegedly). Put starkly: if the Republic do start to qualify regularly, the team will be harder to get into; if they don't, it won't be that much of an attraction to foreign players.
In which case Charlie D. was completely wrong on his last point! Sorry.OWC (say) is likely more representative of fans than similar boards in larger countries, simply because a larger proportion of the fans read it.
The first sentence is just pure Hypocrisy(again!) while the second is more pointless waffle.....
Huh??We'll be the NIFA, you can be FAI[R FUX], ie ~ Republic: featuring unionists exceptionally.
There was a gentleman's agreement before the GFA, but you're right the FAI could have picked anyone with an Irish passport. The GFA granted the right to everyone (diplomats etc excepted) born in the 6C to Irish citizenship - e.g Asians and Chinese born in the North were now eligible - not just those with a Grandparent born there before 1922, although I know this was ignored prior to 1998. It has now been reduced to those born with parents legally resident in the North at the time of their birth with the referendum a few years ago.
This is the cooooooooooooolest footy forum I've ever seen!
There is a well known extradition warrant of Dessie Ellis, that was sent back to Britain for the wrong use of the name. According to wikipedia: 'In 1989 the Irish Supreme Court rejected an extradition warrant that used the name Republic of Ireland. Justice Walsh ruled that, "if the courts of other countries seeking the assistance of this country are unwilling to give this State its constitutionally correct and internationally recognised name, then in my view, the warrants should be returned to such countries until they have been rectified."' Source: Casey, James, Constitutional Law in Ireland, ISBN 978-1-899738-63-2, p. 31, in reference to the Ellis v O'Dea extradition case.
I think they got this wrong, and I think that the warrant was addressed at the time to 'The Irish Republic'.
This is the cooooooooooooolest footy forum I've ever seen!
You obviously didn't understand my point. I too have a little hardbacked purple number (steady, missus!). Mine too says Ireland on the front. I'm just as Irish as you with documents to prove it, not that I need them. Your passport doesn't trump anything for me. It's just a travel document.Originally Posted by One Red Army
Er, who? Republic of Ireland passports have been readily available to those qualifying for decades.Thats why people give up their lives for the right to get it
Why not? If it's anything like the deal I'm suggesting (neither side will pick anyone already capped as an adult by the other) it prevents a player moving after 18, but doesn't deny any youth player (even if over 18) a choice. If nationalist players don't want to play for NI, they can decline the cap.Originally Posted by Lionel Ritchie
No problem in principle. If the voters want to choose Liam T Cosgrave (say) because his Da and Granda were head honcho, that's fine. Wiki tells me that in a number of elections, they chose not to.Originally Posted by Lopez
You have an Irish passport now??
Except If you had one, you'd know they Don't mention the word, 'Republic' !!Republic of Ireland passports have been readily available to those qualifying for decades.
Except anyone who's eligible can switch, up until they can get a full competitive cap......If it's anything like the deal I'm suggesting (neither side will pick anyone already capped as an adult by the other) it prevents a player moving after 18, but doesn't deny any youth player (even if over 18) a choice. If nationalist players don't want to play for NI, they can decline the cap.
So what (not that you have the remotest idea what proportion of Irish-qualified people in Britain have two, one or no Irish-born parents)? My point is that lifelong English-resident people are likely to feel at least a bit English.Originally Posted by Ardee Troll
I don't, not sure how you figure that out. I recognise there is emigration (for which diaspora is really just a slightly hi-falutin' alternative). I half-expect you to break into Rivers of Babylon or something every time you mention it.You obviously despise the concept of Diaspora
It wouldn't. I'm 100% Irish; no-one can be 101% thus. No-one on this thread is more paranoid than you. Stop posting nonsense.that would make them 'more' Irish in the eyes of most people who weren't paranoid...
The Conservative/UUP bloc got 15% in May 2010. Do you think your SDLP pals' 16% support is p*ss-all too?Well it is the Conservative & Unionist party. But they still got p*ss-all support in the North
National parties should stand in every seat nationally; they might win seats, or even if it not get a significant vote (more than the Tories', say); most Labour voters recognise Northern Ireland is part of Britain. There hasn't been a single British general election since 1918 in which ending partition was an issue. You'd struggle to find a single seat in England, Scotland or Wales where an anti-Irish partition ticket would save the deposit.And why would Labour be bothered with a colony half of their traditional voters have never recognised??
I explained why. Hardly anyone in Europe plays rugby union seriously, maybe two or three countries outside the Six Nations.Well, they could hardly do any worse than the two teams mediocre record you keep referring to!
You what? I didn't claim to speak for all immigrants, nor suggest any laws!So now you speak for all immigrants??...Is there a law that they should, either way?
All of my Irish family members claim to be Irish. They are Irish. Stop posting nonsense.Though notice none of your family claim to be, er, 'Irish'. So no change there!
Those from foreign countries. Do try to keep up.What foreign players ??
Great British and Irish, it says. What da problem?You have an Irish passport now??
I know quite well what they say even without having one. Everyone knows what I mean, you are getting them in a twist pointlessly.Except If you had one, you'd know they Don't mention the word, 'Republic' !!
We know. I was replying to Lionel's point about a possible change to that. Do you actually read what others post?Except anyone who's eligible can switch, up until they can get a full competitive cap......
This is the cooooooooooooolest footy forum I've ever seen!
Hopefully the compromise will follow from a recognition that that ideology a) is restrictive and b) has failed/ been by-passed anyway.
In a possible sign of improvement, yesterday IFA admin responded within hours to my letter asking c) why they went to law at all with little obvious of hope of success, d) how they planned to deal with the bad publicity sh*tstorm in the unlikey event they had won, and e) whether they will seek some deal with the FAI(R-FUX) in future. They've promised that Nelson or someone on his behalf will respons more fully soon.
Last edited by Gather round; 03/08/2010 at 11:14 AM.
Except you'd be wrong in very many cases. As usual.
See your bottom 'point' !
Huh?II recognise there is emigration (for which diaspora is really just a slightly hi-falutin' alternative). I half-expect you to break into Rivers of Babylon or something every time you mention it.
So you're not British again??I'm 100% Irish; no-one can be 101% thus.
And how many of their voters were voting for the UPP name, 90%+ you'll find. The Tory name made a minimal difference.The Conservative/UUP bloc got 15% in May 2010.
Check out opinion polls on Irish unification. A majority of Labour voters have been consistently in favour.National parties should stand in every seat nationally; they might win seats, or even if it not get a significant vote (more than the Tories', say); most Labour voters recognise Northern Ireland is part of Britain.
Probably becauuse traditionally they've included many members of the Irish diaspora!
Though more likely they weren't interested in perpetuating colonialism.
Hardly anyone plays cricket, but Ireland are now (just) one of the top ten teams. Good for them. And the rugby team(s) also!Hardly anyone in Europe plays rugby union seriously, maybe two or three countries outside the Six Nations.
Are you suggesting they and other UI teams are somewhat invalid??
Not what my spies tell me. I would enquire further and remind them of any polls they've ever participated in!All of my Irish family members claim to be Irish. They are Irish.
Lol.
Do elaborate? Actually, don't.Those from foreign countries.
Hmm...Do you actually read what others post?
See above!
Last edited by ArdeeBhoy; 04/08/2010 at 7:40 AM.
The FAI has already compromised. It agreed in 1999 not to actively pursue NI born players to which Jim Boyce proclaimed himself to be "extremely happy". The CAS ruling does not necessarily change this.
If you get a response from the IFA, could you post the gist of that response here?
I'd be quite interested to hear the official line on the matters which you have queried. I presume that Nelson will issue some sort of press release. For his sake, I hope he gives it more thought than he gave FIFA's statutes.
Anyway, with regard to the part of your post which I have highlighted - that being the possibility of the IFA seeking a deal with the FAI - what sort of deal do you envisage the IFA actually seeking?
As ifk has noted, the FAI has already compromised in agreeing not to approach northern players, so I find it hard to imagine that the FAI will agree to much else, considering that it will likely be to the detriment of the FAI.
I'm sure they do. I also have cousins born and bred in America, and they position themselves at varying positions along the Irish-American Irish-American spectrum. But you're completely missing the point. There are very particular reasons why many people born in Britain descended from Irish nationalists don't see themselves as British. It's basically the 1st Duke of Wellington's sentiments applied in reverse ("Just because a man is born in a stable, it doesn't mean he's a horse").
Sorry, you're wrong here - this one's not even debateable. No part of Ireland has ever been part of Britain (or "the British state"). The whole island was part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland for centuries. Six counties remain part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Both names make it abundantly clear that Ireland/Northern Ireland is distinct from Great Britain. The only logical reason for people from Ireland to consider themselves British is because they descended from British setllers. Given that most of them have to go back hundreds of years to find an ancestor actually born in Britain, that is extremely odd IMO.
They put a territorial claim in the constitution to assert their wish to re-unify Ireland. Thankfully they didn't (generally) support violence as a means to achieve it. What exactly is your point? As you well know, my point is that if Irish nationalists had their way, there would be an independent, united Ireland and everyone (NI unionists included) would have a vote.
I personally would like to see all people in NI getting a vote in Irish elections, but aagain as you well know, the people who would oppose that are those on the Unionist/Loyalist side of the fence.
Irish citizens in other countries is a different matter as they would outnumber the people actually living in Ireland! That's obviously a completely unrelated issue anyway, and to the best of my knowledge, UK citizens living outside the UK don't get a vote either.
Good post there again, Nedser btw.
However re.your last point, as far as I know (AFAIK) Brit.citizens, if they register around the time of an election to any national level of government, are entitled to vote in the last seat they resided in.
That said, a good English pal now in Spain, claimed "It was scarcely worth the bother".
So he didn't.
Irish citizens outside the state should probably be entitled to at least a limited input electorally, but will leave it to the more constitutionally minded to suggest a viable system.
Will do, but no sign of owt yet.Originally Posted by IFK 101
If it's compromised before, it may compromise again. Judging anecdotally just from this and similar threads, many RoI fans while welcoming all qualified players, do agree with me that it's unfair for them to play for two countries successively.The FAI has already compromised. It agreed in 1999 not to actively pursue NI born players to which Jim Boyce proclaimed himself to be "extremely happy". The CAS ruling does not necessarily change this
Just the one I've mentioned briefly and repeatedly on this thread. Neither side would select any player who'd already appeared for the other's senior teams (full, U-21, U-19, competitive and friendly matches both) after their 18th birthday.Originally Posted by Predator
If it's already made one small compromise, it might make another. Presumably the FAI thought the previous concession was a detriment?As ifk has noted, the FAI has already compromised in agreeing not to approach northern players, so I find it hard to imagine that the FAI will agree to much else, considering that it will likely be to the detriment of the FAI
No, I understand your point quite well. The Republic of Ireland is Britain's closest neighbor, the emigrant population is large, there is a history of colonialism, latterly discrimination etc. etc.But let's not get carried away. That quip is memorable, but it doesn't really answer my point. To repeat, anyone spending their entire life from birth in Britain is likely to feel a bit British, just like a Filipino, Nigerian or Polish kid growing up entirely in Dublin or Belfast is likely to feel just a bit Irish. Most kids schooled in Britain in recent years (regardless of how many Irish ancestors they have) have likely barely heard of the Duke of Wellington, btw. Whether from their parents, teachers or anyone else.Originally Posted by Nedser
The British-born guys playing for the Republic of Ireland aren't in the side through any lifelong feeling of non-Britishness, are they? It's because they're good at football.
Ha ha. Now you're just being childish. Northern Ireland is part of Britain/ the British state, has been for centuries. Part of Ireland is part of Britain. If you don't want to debate that, fine.Sorry, you're wrong here - this one's not even debateable
Big deal.No political party in the Republic has done anything in 60 years (70 years of the Constitution, 90 since independence), either to negotaite away even a small change to the border on behalf of nationalists, or to reassure unionists of a welcome in this notional united Ireland. As I said above, repeatedly, many (most?) people in the South are only keen if it remains notional, were there any realistic likelihood of it happening you wouldn't see them for dust. Derry Cityside or Newry could have been in the Republic decades ago, if they were really wanted.They put a territorial claim in the constitution to assert their wish to re-unify Ireland
Sorry, left out a bit there. I singled out Sinn Fein not for the paramilitarism, but because they at least have contested elections in Northern Ireland. FF, FG and the rest haven't bothered in 80 or 90 years. Why? Because they aren't interested in support there.Thankfully they didn't (generally) support violence as a means to achieve it. What exactly is your point?
That's just a daydream. The problem is that RoI citizens in NI don't have a vote in the former. Which is an issue if only because some RoI supporters here are detailing at length how welcoming the Republic is to all Irish people.As you well know, my point is that if Irish nationalists had their way, there would be an independent, united Ireland and everyone (NI unionists included) would have a vote
Disagree, it's the same issue. The Republic withholds the vote from citizens living abroad because it suits it, largely because of the broad cost. As for the outnumbering, if you allocate citizenship so widely, of course TP Coogan's 70 million Worldwide will trump four million in the country. Likely opposition from unionists isn't the main factor- if it was, there wouldn't have been any Articles Two and Three for 60 years.I personally would like to see all people in NI getting a vote in Irish elections, but aagain as you well know, the people who would oppose that are those on the Unionist/Loyalist side of the fence...Irish citizens in other countries is a different matter as they would outnumber the people actually living in Ireland!
Unionists taking RoI citizenship so they could get a vote and maybe elect someone into Dail Eireann would be funny.
That's undemocratic too.to the best of my knowledge, UK citizens living outside the UK don't get a vote either
To vote in British elections, you need to be inter aliaOriginally Posted by Ardee Bhoy
* living, or at least registered, at a British address (which implies you need to be the owner or tenant there, or have a friend or relative acting as such, or similar)
* a British citizen, or similarly of any Commonwealth Country or the RoI
I don't claim any expert knowledge, but the French system seems more relaxed. As long as you're a citizen, you can just register with a consulate abroad. No address in la Belle France is needed.Irish citizens outside the state should probably be entitled to at least a limited input electorally, but will leave it to the more constitutionally minded to suggest a viable system
Last edited by Gather round; 04/08/2010 at 8:54 AM.
Except as it's been repeatedly pointed out, the FAI, as with all national FA's (inc.the IFA), can bid for eligible players up until they receive a full competitive cap. End of.
No other agreements are necessary.
The last part of the paragraph about whether people know about who Wellington is more patronising BS, whilst know plenty of individuals born/raised in Britain (and other countries) who don't in the least feel any affinity to their 'host' nation. Why should they?The Republic of Ireland is Britain's closest neighbour, the emigrant population is large, there is a history of colonialism, latterly discrimination etc. etc. But let's not get carried away. That quip is memorable, but it doesn't really answer my point.
To repeat, anyone spending their entire life from birth in Britain is likely to feel a bit British, just like a Filipino, Nigerian or Polish kid growing up entirely in Dublin or Belfast is likely to feel just a bit Irish. Most kids schooled in Britain in recent years (regardless of how many Irish ancestors they have) have likely barely heard of the Duke of Wellington, btw. Whether from their parents, teachers or anyone else.
The British-born guys playing for the Republic of Ireland aren't in the side through any lifelong feeling of non-Britishness, are they? It's because they're good at football.
Some will and some won't.
Think you might have to expand, er, yer cultural experience on this one!![]()
Hasn't it only existed since the 1920's??Northern Ireland is part of Britain/ the British state, has been for centuries.
Clearly you're again out of touch again with the unionist community who have this thing about 'not conceding an inch'. Them and their pals in Britain have far more to do with any redrawing of the border. Given how the whole thing was gerrymandered in the first place!No political party in the Republic has done anything in 60 years (70 years of the Constitution, 90 since independence), either to negotaite away even a small change to the border on behalf of nationalists, or to reassure unionists of a welcome in this notional united Ireland. As I said above, repeatedly, many (most?) people in the South are only keen if it remains notional, were there any realistic likelihood of it happening you wouldn't see them for dust. Derry Cityside or Newry could have been in the Republic decades ago, if they were really wanted.
The former is due to being actively discouraged by your unionist mates and those parties having been seen as deserting their potential voters there. Not to mention inherently flawed in the main.I singled out Sinn Fein not for the paramilitarism, but because they at least have contested elections in Northern Ireland. FF, FG and the rest haven't bothered in 80 or 90 years.
The problem is that RoI citizens in NI don't have a vote in the former. Which is an issue if only because some RoI supporters here are detailing at length how welcoming the Republic is to all Irish people.
The latter will happen in time, but at the moment the rabble who are our TD's have the more important issue of trying to hold the Irish economy together. Plus they don't want lots of northern Nats.voting even for the SDLP, let alone SF!
Which is wrong.
You said it!I don't claim any expert knowledge
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