QuoteKerr did not poach players from NI,
he was
"merely embracing those who express an interest in playing for the Republic and who satisfy the eligibility criteria".
Kerr got a raw deal from Delaney. His father was a Belfast man. Good option for NI and would be able to persuade some of the defectors.
Always look on the bright side of life
Kerr did not poach players from NI,
he was
"merely embracing those who express an interest in playing for the Republic and who satisfy the eligibility criteria".
Wasn't Kerr the man accused of phoning Chris Baird?
He was merely informing Chris of his options as a dual citizen, not trying to guide him in any particular direction.
or
The FAI made me do it.
Just noticing a thread on OWC dedicated to Shamrock Rovers player, Conor McCormack, highlighting his apparent eligibility to play for NI. McCormack played for us at international level from under-15s through to under-19s, captaining us along the way, although he was born in Newry, according to the poster, despite other sources saying he's a Dundalk-native. He's a player I've been very impressed with any time I've seen him play and I reckon he has a bright future ahead of him. They're certainly stepping up the chase for our kids then! It's all this speculation on that forum that really gets me though...
Cheers for the link. Just getting an opportunity to have a listen and straight away we have Jim Shaw rambling on about the four eligibility criteria contained within a completely irrelevant article which exists as an exception to the general principle. Eligibility is also a question of passports, apparently, without any reference to a statute mentioning anything to do with passports. In fairness, at least McNamee (?) acknowledges that Irish citizenship has been open to northern-born Irish nationals since the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, but he then goes on to state that the Good Friday Agreement made the theoretical a practical reality, for some reason, when we all know that northern-born Irish nationals have played for Ireland in the years prior to its passing. Gibson most certainly wasn't the "trailblazer". Sure the IFA themselves complained about the eligibility of northern-born Irish nationals as far as as 1994.Originally Posted by Mr_Parker
One thing I really can't fathom; where on earth has this idea that a player can only switch association up until the age of 28? Even Jim Boyce (the, err, vice-president of FIFA) is spouting this garbage. The vox pops around 9:33 are similarly idiotic - no changes there - but you'd expect better from the vice-president of FIFA.
Interestingly, Darron Gibson's uncle, Paul McLaughlin states that it was he who phoned up Brian Kerr alerting him to Gibson's interest in playing for us. It's a bit rich Armstrong accusing the FAI of being "morally wrong" by "tapping up" players and putting "undue pressure" on young players when he's engaged in the very same thing himself as a matter of professional duty. Does he have any actual evidence of the FAI doing this anyway? Interesting that he states that he's been "led to believe" that this is the case: "I think there have been cases where the player has been approached"; far from adamant or certain. Ergo, he hasn't a clue whether it's happening or not. What's the moral problem with offering a young lad an opportunity anyway? I thought NI fans wanted them to make their decision at as young an age as possible? Damned if you do and damned if you don't is how it seems to me.
Looking forward to seeing how Jim Boyce gets on with convincing others within FIFA that the statutes need changed...
Clearly you struggle* NB when it comes to matters of understanding the 'Ingerlish' language, though I do admit ambiguity in that sentence.
Perhaps insert the word 'your' between 'from' & 'fellow'...
Though it's not waffle. Just like MO'N's probably not a unionist.
*Either that or there's something wrong with the unionist 'education' system...
Last edited by ArdeeBhoy; 13/10/2011 at 9:01 AM.
Insert "your" maybe?
Doh!
I blame being 'educated' in the North.
Well as all fair minded people know, in the name of all that's morally just and fair, by the grace of God, he should be playing for the country of his birth. The immoral and devilish FAI have been an obstacle to this man's destiny as a born Ulsterman.Just noticing a thread on OWC dedicated to Shamrock Rovers player, Conor McCormack, highlighting his apparent eligibility to play for NI. McCormack played for us at international level from under-15s through to under-19s, captaining us along the way, although he was born in Newry, according to the poster, despite other sources saying he's a Dundalk-native. He's a player I've been very impressed with any time I've seen him play and I reckon he has a bright future ahead of him. They're certainly stepping up the chase for our kids then! It's all this speculation on that forum that really gets me though...
End Apartheid Now! One Team in Ireland!
Hang on, it depends where in Ulster...
Look, Gerry Messiah says that under FIFA rules you should be playing for your country of birth. He has returned to deliver the chosen people to the promised land.
End Apartheid Now! One Team in Ireland!
Ah, ok.
So will that mean the North returning all their players to the, er, mainland??
And Germany, Norway, Zambia et al...
What is right for the chosen is not right for the gentiles. Remember that.
Sincerest apologies for any confusion caused by my above ramblings, but, you get the point.
Last edited by Predator; 13/10/2011 at 10:59 AM. Reason: Tongue-in-cheek
End Apartheid Now! One Team in Ireland!
I'll be having a word...
Gerry Armstrong is a wise man.
There's a recession on and being an Our Wee Country man pays the bills.
All he has to do is fly around a bit and spout a few cliches that the IFA/News Letter want to hear and he gets paid at the end of the month.
I know he has a lot of 'fans' on here, so some might be interested in following him...
http://twitter.com/#!/PaulFergusonSL
Paul Ferguson
@PaulFergusonSL Belfast, Northern Ireland
Sports Editor of Northern Ireland's biggest and best Sunday newspaper - Sunday Life. Views are my own!
'IFA step up bid to prevent defection to FAI': http://www.sportsnewsireland.com/soccer_irish/61996/
Hands off our kids!Sports News Ireland has learned that former Northern Ireland international Gerry Armstrong will visit St. Columb’s College in Derry this coming week in what appears to be a PR venture. The school, which is one of the largest Catholic boys’ schools in Europe is the alma mater of a number of renowned sportsmen, including former Celtic manager, Martin O’Neill.
Knowing first-hand the average College boy reaction to visiting dignitaries such as Nobel Prize winners, I'd fear a bit for Gerry.
Ou-est le Centre George Pompidou?
Impeccable timing by Gerry, the kids can ask him about our chances in the play offs.
Posting Permissions
Bookmarks