Eligibility Rules, Okay

**paul_oshea** · 15/05/2012, 4:07 PM

BTW NB, didnt armstrong himself say that he would rather they made their decision at 20 or 21? So how would he expect these players to be recognised and known if they haven't come up through NI underage?

I notice the big gripe with a lot of NI supporters is the players changing after being part of underage squads, but i'm sure i read Armstrong saying he would rather they made the decision when they are older.

**DannyInvincible** · 15/05/2012, 4:35 PM

Last November, Armstrong stated that any decision should be delayed until players were at least 20 or 21: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-15656709

And Armstrong also wants to see the timing of such decisions altered.

"Can we not defer the boys making the decision until they are 20 or 21?

"Until they are old enough and understand what it is all about. I think at 16, 17 or 18, it is far too young.

"They are learning about life, about football and some of them still don't know what their identity is, so I would like to see it deferred and they can make their decision later on."

**Not Brazil** · 15/05/2012, 4:53 PM

Originally Posted by DannyInvincible

Last November, Armstrong stated that any decision should be delayed until players were at least 20 or 21: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-15656709

Not for the first time, and not for the last either I'm sure, I think Gerry is confused and talking out of his hoop.

Unlike McClean, i would have some respect for "Boy George" - a kid I watched my son play against on various occassions, and could see he was a class footballer.

He did the schooolboy thing with Northern Ireland, but switched to chase his dream at the earliest opportunity thereafter. No issues with that whatsoever.

Do you feel that the FAI should have said "not yet Paul, you're too young"?

**paul_oshea** · 15/05/2012, 5:22 PM

I never got that chance unfortunately NB

**tricky_colour** · 15/05/2012, 5:40 PM

Originally Posted by osarusan

The 'is it fair to criticise' argument is on that I don't accept. He was an adult FFS.

Is it realistic to expect an adult to decide not to represent a team at underage level when he feels uncomfortable representing them and has supported another international team since he was a boy? Yes it is.

If we are to believe that McClean has been a ROI fan since a young boy, then his representing NI at underage level as a 'stepping stone' is something he should definitely be criticised for, and it's something he should be apologising for, rather than seemingly being proud of.

Nonsense, he has nothing to apologise for, what sort of apology would he issue? "Sorry for being the best player in the NI underage squad"???

**gastric** · 15/05/2012, 11:02 PM

Originally Posted by Not Brazil

Regrettably, McClean did represent Northern Ireland up to Under 21 level.

Why is it unhealthy that he made a choice, in part, based on his republican political outlook?

Do you not think that player's with such an outlook as McClean should have the choice to ply their international trade representing the political entity they feel part of?

It is not the fault of the IFA that McClean has an Irish Republican political outlook.

The fact there is a choice reflects the the fact that are two, quite different, political outlooks on this island regarding identity and nationality.

I believe in choice as I have stated on here many times. Alex Bruce, James McClean and Shane Lowry have moved teams and I respect their decision. I find your bitterness at McClean regrettable. How do you feel about Bruce's decision?

**Not Brazil** · 16/05/2012, 7:39 AM

Originally Posted by gastric

How do you feel about Bruce's decision?

I doubt that Bruce will ever be selected to represent Northern Ireland in a senior International.

If he is, I will not be in attendance at the fixture - for reasons I have stated here on at least one occasion previously.

**gastric** · 16/05/2012, 8:35 AM

Originally Posted by Not Brazil

I doubt that Bruce will ever be selected to represent Northern Ireland in a senior International.

If he is, I will not be in attendance at the fixture - for reasons I have stated here on at least one occasion previously.

Your point about Bruce representing NI may well be true. In relation to not attending a game if Bruce plays, is this on principle?

**DannyInvincible** · 16/05/2012, 2:31 PM

Originally Posted by Not Brazil

I doubt that Bruce will ever be selected to represent Northern Ireland in a senior International.

If he is, I will not be in attendance at the fixture - for reasons I have stated here on at least one occasion previously.

Have you boycotted games in which Johnny Gorman has featured, or do you distinguish his case due to the age at which switched from the FAI to the IFA?

**Not Brazil** · 16/05/2012, 3:15 PM

Originally Posted by DannyInvincible

Have you boycotted games in which Johnny Gorman has featured, or do you distinguish his case due to the age at which switched from the FAI to the IFA?

He gets a schoolboys pardon.

**tetsujin1979** · 16/05/2012, 3:54 PM

Originally Posted by Not Brazil

He gets a schoolboys pardon.

Does the same apply to Michael O'Connor and Tony Kane?

**Predator** · 16/05/2012, 4:04 PM

Originally Posted by Not Brazil

He gets a schoolboys pardon.

There you have it. You might as well drop your indignation towards Alex after that.

**BonnieShels** · 16/05/2012, 4:18 PM

Originally Posted by Not Brazil

He gets a schoolboys pardon.

Hands off our kids.

**Not Brazil** · 16/05/2012, 5:35 PM

Originally Posted by Predator

There you have it. You might as well drop your indignation towards Alex after that.

There you have nothing.

Bruce made disparaging comments about Northern Ireland when he made his, err, previous choice to play for the South.

He can go forth and multiply.

**Not Brazil** · 16/05/2012, 5:41 PM

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

Does the same apply to Michael O'Connor and Tony Kane?

Did either of the above make arrogant, disparaging, comments about the IFA when thery initially chose to play for the South?

According to Bruce, when faced with a choice of playing for either Northern Ireland or the South, there "wasn't really a choice to be made" when he chose the South.

Now that that his International career has flat lined with the South, he prostitutes himself to the IFA.

He can do one.

**co. down green** · 16/05/2012, 5:51 PM

Originally Posted by Not Brazil

Now that that his International career has flat lined with the South, he prostitutes himself to the IFA.

He can do one.

I presume you have the same feeling towards Lee Camp who prostituted himself with his ‘come and get me’ plea to the IFA?

**Charlie Darwin** · 16/05/2012, 5:52 PM

What is it with footballers and issuing 'come and get me' pleas? Nobody else does this kind of thing.

**DannyInvincible** · 16/05/2012, 6:07 PM

Originally Posted by Not Brazil

Did either of the above make arrogant, disparaging, comments about the IFA when thery initially chose to play for the South?

According to Bruce, when faced with a choice of playing for either Northern Ireland or the South, there "wasn't really a choice to be made" when he chose the South.

Don't actions speak louder than words?

**Not Brazil** · 16/05/2012, 6:15 PM

Originally Posted by co. down green

I presume you have the same feeling towards Lee Camp who prostituted himself with his ‘come and get me’ plea to the IFA?

Whilst I was unaware that Lee Camp made a "come and get me" plea to the IFA, it is irrelevent in the context of discussion on Bruce.

Lee Camp had never previously made disparaging comments about Northern Ireland, after refusing a call up by the IFA.

Poor comparison.

**Not Brazil** · 16/05/2012, 6:19 PM

Originally Posted by DannyInvincible

Don't actions speak louder than words?

Not always - Bruce's words have damned him, in my opinion.

There are several players more worthy of a Northern Ireland shirt than Bruce - I hope we never see him sully the proud emerald green shirt of the Irish Football Association.