Im sure there are a lot of Nationlist northern players that wouldn't mind playing for the North. However, the treatment that Lennon got a few years back must play a part in the team they choose. Of course a player would prefer to play for a team where they will be appreciated and respected.
The IFA should look at their own fans behaviour as a possible reason for players changing their minds, instead of taking the easier option and pointing to the FAI.
Manager: Fergal, have you your boots with ya?
Fergal: Ya, I have them here.
Manager: Ah good stuff, well give them to this man so, he forgot his!
I dislike this thread title for it's assumptions, presumptions, presuppositions etc.
It leaves me wondering, and not for the first time, if it's author actually thinks in 2" high white futura bold block capitals on a black background and whether his inner voice speaks like Max Clifford or maybe more like that clot in the Harvey Norman superstore ads.
" 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?"
What on earth are you talking about?Originally Posted by Lionel Ritchie
Jaysus Lionel, have you been dancing on the ceiling again - the blood has rushed to your head
I have a head only Snow White would love
Weren't one of these teams recently snubbed by mighty Belgium?
Quoting years at random since 1975
Article 2 of the Irish Constitution
It is the entitlement and birthright of every person born in the island of Ireland, which includes its islands and seas, to be part of the Irish Nation. That is also the entitlement of all persons otherwise qualified in accordance with law to be citizens of Ireland. Furthermore, the Irish nation cherishes its special affinity with people of Irish ancestry living abroad who share its cultural identity and heritage.
Enough said
Forget about the performance or entertainment. It's only the result that matters.
.....
Last edited by Gather round; 05/03/2010 at 4:42 PM.
A tiny minority gave one player disgraceful abuse. Not condoning, but I don't think it's the main factor.
The huge majority of Northern Ireland fans appreciate and respect all our players.Of course a player would prefer to play for a team where they will be appreciated and respected
They have.The IFA should look at their own fans behaviour as a possible reason for players changing their minds
I think you fail to understand how rankings and seedeings are determined, Wolfie. They're based largely on aggregate results in both the 2008 and 2010 qualifiers. In which an admittedly modest NI side managed 35 points- exactly the same as your boys.
Belgium's loss- by inviting stronger opposition, they just ended up with another home beating (to Croatia).
Not quite enough. That article was amended in 2004, to the effect that not every person born in Ireland now has the automatic right to citizenship. A change supported by nearly 80% in a referendum in the South.
Last edited by Gather round; 05/03/2010 at 4:50 PM.
If this is supposed to insinuate something, it's been pointed out already (was it on this one or the Shane Duffy thread?) that that amendment isn't really all that relevant as far as this discussion is concerned.
It means that the Nordies voted by an overwhelming majority to allow all people in NI the birthright to be identified as Irish citizens.
Then some of those ungrateful hicks call it an act of irredentism by the Republic.
Small beer at the time maybe, but a death threat's still a death threat?
And maybe you need to read about their reaction to those who're eligible to play for the real Irish team, even if we are due to be fairly mediocre.
So more Hypocrisy & pomposity all round?
Well most people would agree that it was a tiny minority, but the fact is that a player was forced to quit because he thought his family was in danger. Minority or not, it's a major factor in anyone's decision, particularly as the likes of Wilson and Gibson would have been coming of age right when Lennon was retiring.
Northern Ireland is filled with a lot of vile supporters and must be a very uncomfortable atmosphere for some players. Even in this day and age its a nation fueled by bigotry and regularly fills a stadium where its supporters would still rather make outlandish political statements than just enjoy their team playing.
I wouldn't support a team like that growing up and neither did the lads who joined us, and they were 100% right to.
Worthingtons approach on this is a bit petty, no regard for what the player wants he just wants FIFA to force them to be shackled to NI because of where they were born and trained. If you aren't proud and don't want to play for your country its beyond me why anyone would want you to do so by force, I don't know anyone who'd want Stephen Ireland to be forced to play for us, most people would like him to want to play for us thats entirely different.
Au contraire, there is some evidence that Worthington has a few moments of clarity.
“I find it difficult to understand, but if a player doesn't want to play for Northern Ireland, then good luck to him. I wish them no harm,”
“If they don't want to play for us, then that's it. I will look forward and concentrate on the youngsters coming through.”
We should be asking how come we havnt tried attracting northern born irish players before the turn of this century?
there would have been manys a player who would have jumped at the chance to represent ireland
I think this article sums the whole thing up
http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opin...cle344981.html
Good article. Thanks for that
From the article -
Even the players who've decided to represent ROI haven't given this as a reason. I'd like to see him back up the statement.Forget the spurious claims about players being poached or lured south of the border by incentives - the lingering fear of sectarian abuse is the biggest single factor in turning young Catholics away from playing for the Northern Ireland senior side.
They're hardly going to say it in public
Excellent
So it's ok to say that they have a lot of vile supporters but then turn around and say that they're also bigoted , Presumably because they have political opinion which are different but not less strong than yours
You only know it's true because you want it to be true
Last edited by gustavo; 06/03/2010 at 2:35 PM.
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