Eligibility Rules, Okay

**ArdeeBhoy** · 05/09/2012, 11:00 PM

That seems to be a lot of non-entities switching sides (either way) there.

**DannyInvincible** · 05/09/2012, 11:19 PM

According to a poster on YBIG, Franco Di Santo of Wigan is considering declaring for us as he's apparently eligible via an Irish grandmother. Seems an odd one but he claims to have heard it on TalkSport...

My own suspicion is that the poster has misinterpreted a joke. TalkSport were probably discussing Di Santo's international possibilities or credentials and figured he hadn't a chance of carving out an international career with Argentina, so suggested he should, instead, declare for us. 'Cause don't everyone have an Oirish granny?! Haw haw!

**Charlie Darwin** · 05/09/2012, 11:23 PM

Strange. There are many Argentinians with Irish names living in Ireland now. It's quite possible, although they do tend to be from the upper classes, which is why you see more Irish names in Argentinian rugby than football.

**DannyInvincible** · 05/09/2012, 11:29 PM

Ché Guevara was a working class hero. From the upper classes, mind...

**Sullivinho** · 05/09/2012, 11:47 PM

No better man than Trap to cap an Argentine. Call him up!

**gastric** · 06/09/2012, 2:24 AM

Originally Posted by Not Brazil

http://www.londonderrysentinel.co.uk...land-1-4224847

How thoroughly underwhelming.

NB, As you implied, not the most endearing of articles in terms of his loyalty to NI, but this is the way things are now. I remember Clinton Morrison hoping he would get an English call up, and when this did not materialise he joined us. TBH, he was an asset to us and showed a lot of loyalty to the side. Hopefully McEleney can do the same and then only can he truly be judged.

**gastric** · 06/09/2012, 3:10 AM

Originally Posted by Sullivinho

No better man than Trap to cap an Argentine. Call him up!

Pity Kwame Ampadu still isn't playing. This would have been a commentator's dream, 'Di Santo to Ampadu'........

**DannyInvincible** · 06/09/2012, 8:32 AM

Frank O'Disanty?

**Charlie Darwin** · 06/09/2012, 10:55 AM

I'm still upset we missed out on Peter O'Demwingie.

**Predator** · 06/09/2012, 11:26 AM

Originally Posted by Not Brazil

http://www.londonderrysentinel.co.uk...land-1-4224847

How thoroughly underwhelming.

Could there come a day when Shane McEleney faces Patrick McEleney? That'd be something.

**BonnieShels** · 06/09/2012, 12:35 PM

Just like the Boatengs.

**Olé Olé** · 06/09/2012, 12:53 PM

In fairness to Shane McEleney, he must be a fairly determined young man. In his comments he completely fails to refer to an affinity to Northern Ireland. It's obviously a careerist choice he has made so best of luck to him as it's doubtful he'll be missed by Ireland. Given the pressure Michael O'Neill has been placing on some of our players, this is hardly the most reassuring gain for Northern Ireland supporters.

Can any Derry City supporter tell me how Patrick has progressed? I have heard he was quite impressive in the first division. I saw him in the first league game against Sligo Rovers and he looked rather busy, without being overly productive. That's not an awfully negative complaint for a 19 year-old.

**SwanVsDalton** · 06/09/2012, 1:33 PM

Originally Posted by Olé Olé

Can any Derry City supporter tell me how Patrick has progressed? I have heard he was quite impressive in the first division. I saw him in the first league game against Sligo Rovers and he looked rather busy, without being overly productive. That's not an awfully negative complaint for a 19 year-old.

He's going backwards. Had a largely poor season, imo, albeit with some flashes of magic as still out most creative outlet. In fairness there's a lot of pressure on him to step up, it often shows in his performances, and the side is very inconsistent just like him. He's young yet, but I'd like the side to look at securing another creative player or two to take the pressure of him, and let him focus on improving his game. Highly unlikely he'll ever trouble the international set-up tbh.

**osarusan** · 06/09/2012, 1:55 PM

A very impressive performance in Jackman park during Derry's 1-0 win against Limerick 2 years ago in the LOI 1st division suggests he's well able for international football.

**ArdeeBhoy** · 07/09/2012, 12:43 AM

Two years ago...

Sarcasm, presumably?

**Charlie Darwin** · 10/09/2012, 2:08 PM

Another one sent to the dark side by Trap's ignorance...

Rory McIlroy has ended any debate about his national allegiance by declaring that: “I’ve always felt more British than Irish.”

He continued: “What makes it such an awful position to be in is I have grown up my whole life playing for Ireland under the Golfing Union of Ireland umbrella. But the fact is I have always felt more British than Irish. Maybe it is the way I was brought up, I don’t know, but I have always felt more of a connection with the UK than with Ireland.

“And so I have to weigh that up against the fact that I have always played for Ireland and so it is tough. Whatever I do, I know my decision is going to upset some people but I hope the vast majority will understand.”

**ArdeeBhoy** · 10/09/2012, 2:16 PM

Yeah, that's been all over the Irish Times & Sports Facebook pages.

Old news on a not slow news day...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/golf/19552073

**DannyInvincible** · 10/09/2012, 2:48 PM

Originally Posted by Rory McIlroy

Whatever I do, I know my decision is going to upset some people but I hope the vast majority will understand.

You'd need to be a bit of an idiot to let a completely uncontentious decision that was both none of your business and pretty likely anyway upset you. His possession of just a British passport is already public knowledge and didn't the DUP claim him as one of their more high-profile supporters?

**SwanVsDalton** · 10/09/2012, 2:51 PM

Originally Posted by DannyInvincible

You'd need to be a bit of an idiot to let a completely uncontentious decision that was both none of your business and pretty likely anyway upset you. His possession of just a British passport is already public knowledge and didn't the DUP claim him as one of their more high-profile supporters?

DUP really? Doesn't sound right coming from a middle-class mixed marriage family. McIlroy's always appeared very moderate, at least publicly.

Also the Irish Times Facebook page is chock full of idiots getting upset. 'Oh I'll never support him again!' kind of efforts - pathetic.

**Charlie Darwin** · 10/09/2012, 2:55 PM

Originally Posted by SwanVsDalton

DUP really? Doesn't sound right coming from a middle-class mixed marriage family. McIlroy's always appeared very moderate, at least publicly.

Also the Irish Times Facebook page is chock full of idiots getting upset. 'Oh I'll never support him again!' kind of efforts - pathetic.

The best part are the people who are convinced he's just confused.