Eligibility Rules, Okay

**DannyInvincible** · 24/12/2011, 1:01 PM

It remains to be seen what impact, if any, the appointment of Michael O'Neill as manager of the IFA's senior team will have on matters. I recall MNS did a feature on the eligibility issue during the Summer (I think it was around our fixture with NI in the Carling Nations Cup) and O'Neill gave his two cents on things. He didn't appear to be up-to-speed with the rules, but then he was with Rovers and wasn't the manager of an international team at the time. I remember he talked of limiting the number of times a player eligible for more than one association may change his allegiance throughout his career, seemingly failing to realise there already was a limit of one change in place, and also suggested the introduction of an age cap by which a player's allegiance ought to be decided if already capped by an original association. The problem with that is that FIFA scrapped the age cap from their statutes a few years ago.

**French Toasht** · 24/12/2011, 4:13 PM

The appointment of O'Neill is completely inconsequential with regard to the eligibility issue. The CAS judgment has dealt with this issue comprehensively and whatever personnel come in and out in the IFA will have absolutely no impact when it comes to changing the status quo.

As regards footballing matters, NI have got themselves a good manager, without a doubt but I feel the task he faces is similar to that with Rovers in the Europa group stages, the gulf in class is simple to vast to make a difference.

**DannyInvincible** · 24/12/2011, 7:23 PM

Originally Posted by French Toasht

The appointment of O'Neill is completely inconsequential with regard to the eligibility issue. The CAS judgment has dealt with this issue comprehensively and whatever personnel come in and out in the IFA will have absolutely no impact when it comes to changing the status quo.

That's true. I'd been more wondering how young undecided players from nationalist backgrounds might take to him as someone from a nationalist background who played for NI and managed a team in the League of Ireland. If even they're aware of his story. I'd heard the name before, but it wasn't until he took over at Shamrock Rovers that he really entered my conscience of thought.

**Charlie Darwin** · 24/12/2011, 8:25 PM

How did they take to Sammy McIlroy?

**geysir** · 26/12/2011, 1:25 PM

Is O'Neill the first NI manager with a nationalist background?
Sounds to me, the IFA wanted to appoint someone like that, with some football credentials of course and he was their only candidate.
He won't rock the IFA boat.
It's an unusual situation for an association to have to think for ways to persuade players, who not that way inclined, to chose the IFA.

**seanfhear** · 26/12/2011, 3:32 PM

Originally Posted by geysir

Is O'Neill the first NI manager with a nationalist background?
Sounds to me, the IFA wanted to appoint someone like that, with some football credentials of course and he was their only candidate.
He won't rock the IFA boat.
It's an unusual situation for an association to have to think for ways to persuade players, who not that way inclined, to chose the IFA.

In fairness based on most recent managerial performance I would go for O'Neill myself.

Dowie started well a few years ago but it went downhill at a fair belt. Magilton was average at Ipswich and was again average at QPR. And there has'nt exactly been a stack of clubs after Dowie or Magilton which is a tad surprising because when you get on the managerial carousel the same people often keep re-appearing.

**Not Brazil** · 27/12/2011, 9:39 AM

Originally Posted by geysir

Is O'Neill the first NI manager with a nationalist background?
Sounds to me, the IFA wanted to appoint someone like that, with some football credentials of course and he was their only candidate.

His "nationalist background" will not have been a factor in the IFA's decision making process.

None of the candidates on the IFA's final shortlist of three are from a "unionist background", unless you bracket Dowie in that categoiry.

**geysir** · 27/12/2011, 12:26 PM

Originally Posted by Not Brazil

His "nationalist background" will not have been a factor in the IFA's decision making process.

None of the candidates on the IFA's final shortlist of three are from a "unionist background", unless you bracket Dowie in that categoiry.

I did not claim that any of the candidates were from a Unionist background, however, Dowie is not from a Nationalist background. And O'Neill is the first nationalist manager appointed as manager of NI.
It's true that I can't read the minds of the IFA but I would not dismiss the 'nationalist background having an influence' theory out of hand.
There are 2 issues, NI needs a capable manager and the fear that the trend of nationalists declaring for the FAI will continue. O'Neill has genuine credentials but nothing too spectacular that would stand him above Dowie and Magilton and none of those 3 come close to the experience of Kerr whose interest in the job was not even acknowledged. I would guess that O'Neill would have been third choice of the 3, by the OWC fans.
Seeing as you can read the minds of the IFA, what was the factor in the IFA's decision making process that perceived Kerr as not even being worthy of a response?

**Predator** · 27/12/2011, 1:43 PM

Originally Posted by geysir

Seeing as you can read the minds of the IFA, what was the factor in the IFA's decision making process that perceived Kerr as not even being worthy of a response?

This, too, confused me. Those who were against Kerr, suggested that he "started the poaching".

**geysir** · 27/12/2011, 2:07 PM

Well, Kerr had made welcome (from the IFA perspective) statements about how the eligibility situation, as it developed, had unfair affects on the IFA and was in favour of some restrictions being imposed.

**Predator** · 27/12/2011, 2:26 PM

Originally Posted by geysir

Well, Kerr had made welcome (from the IFA perspective) statements about how the eligibility situation, as it developed, had unfair affects on the IFA and was in favour of some restrictions being imposed.

Indeed. Like Iain Dowie, he also has "blood connections" to OWC, so to exclude him on grounds of not being connected to Norlin Airlann, would be strange. I wonder does his being a Dub have anything to do with it? Or the fact that his Faroe Islands team frustrated the IFA's efforts during qualification and managed what Worthington could not in beating Estonia.

The IFA will hope that Michael O'Neill can replicate the success he achieved at Shamrock Rovers: bringing an Irish team to the group stages of a European tournament. Although Kerr's past successes with Irish teams seem to have been unduly overlooked.

**ArdeeBhoy** · 27/12/2011, 7:15 PM

Of course Michael O'N's background was an issue.
As in potentially appeasing nationalist defectors.

But to be fair to the North, Fergie, Moanrinhio & Guardiola could all jointly be in charge and they'd still be sh*te.
They just don't have the players, currently.

And be interesting to see if they ever will, again...

**Mr_Parker** · 27/12/2011, 7:46 PM

Originally Posted by geysir

Well, Kerr had made welcome (from the IFA perspective) statements about how the eligibility situation, as it developed, had unfair affects on the IFA and was in favour of some restrictions being imposed.

You mean Kerr talked out of his arse like so many others.

**DannyInvincible** · 28/12/2011, 5:58 AM

Interesting photo of Liam Boyce with two Cliftonville players in the Felons Club, Belfast the other night (tweeted by himself): http://yfrog.com/od8x1vtj

Didn't go down too well on OWC.

**ArdeeBhoy** · 28/12/2011, 8:10 AM

Maybe Michael O'Neill will also pop in, along with 'Agent Gerry'?

**Not Brazil** · 28/12/2011, 9:50 AM

Originally Posted by geysir

what was the factor in the IFA's decision making process that perceived Kerr as not even being worthy of a response?

I honestly don't know - he would have been my choice, for sure.

**ifk101** · 28/12/2011, 10:22 AM

Good luck Michael O'Neill anyways. Any word on his number two?

**DannyInvincible** · 28/12/2011, 12:01 PM

Originally Posted by Not Brazil

I honestly don't know - he would have been my choice, for sure.

Isn't Kerr friendly with figures within the IFA? I know he shared the IFA's flight from the Faroe Islands after their game and I think I recall you having spoken of his attendance at functions or something of the sort run/organised by the IFA.

**geysir** · 28/12/2011, 1:47 PM

A beggar getting a lift with the IFA, with the barely concealed satisfied grin of a job well done.
Maybe the IFA have a different recollection of their time, sharing the ride home with Brian

**ifk101** · 28/12/2011, 2:19 PM

Originally Posted by Michael O'Neill

That is my primary objective – to restore a sense of belief and pride in what it means to represent Northern Ireland so that our players will want only to play for their country. That is how it should be.

http://www.irishfa.com/news/item/698...ional-manager/

Off to a good start.