Eligibility Rules, Okay

[DeLorean]

Bamford thread closed?

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

If I was Eunan O'Kane, my grievance would be with the fact that Michael appropriated him for his own agenda. If anyone is doubting Eunan, it's Michael. He could be in Martin's thoughts for all we know. What we do know indisputably is that Michael doesn't think he's good enough to play for his chosen country.

These comments seem as unprofessional, discourteous and damaging as Trapattoni's comments about Steven Reid and Stephen Kelly. I think Michael should issue an unreserved apology for this. He can make whatever point he is trying to make without bringing up specific players and throwing them under the bus.

[Gather round]

If I was Eunan O'Kane, my grievance would be with the fact that Michael appropriated him for his own agenda. If anyone is doubting Eunan, it's Michael. He could be in Martin's thoughts for all we know. What we do know indisputably is that Michael doesn't think he's good enough to play for his chosen country.

These comments seem as unprofessional, discourteous and damaging as Trapattoni's comments about Steven Reid and Stephen Kelly. I think Michael should issue an unreserved apology for this. He can make whatever point he is trying to make without bringing up specific players and throwing them under the bus

Agreed it's vindictive and not classy.

Not sure why Michael O'Neill is getting involved. it can't be to curry favor with the fans, he's got that anyway after this season's huge improvement.

[SwanVsDalton]

To be honest, I'm not that steamed about O'Neill's (the bould Michael) comments - when it comes to eligibility, I have every sympathy for a manager who wants to pick more and better players, and can't. Sounds like frustration, can't say I blame him.

If I was Eunan O'Kane, my grievance would be with the fact that Michael appropriated him for his own agenda. If anyone is doubting Eunan, it's Michael. He could be in Martin's thoughts for all we know. What we do know indisputably is that Michael doesn't think he's good enough to play for his chosen country.

These comments seem as unprofessional, discourteous and damaging as Trapattoni's comments about Steven Reid and Stephen Kelly. I think Michael should issue an unreserved apology for this. He can make whatever point he is trying to make without bringing up specific players and throwing them under the bus.

Maybe, though ultimately O'Neill is saying 'I would really, really like to pick O'Kane' and I can't see Eunan getting too annoyed about that.

O'Neill was earwigging him at the Brandywell recently, so maybe this is him being discourteous and damaging to his face?

O'NeillandEunanOKane.jpg

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

TBH Swans you're entitled to your opinion and I accept that. I knew before I opened the thread that you were going to go out of your way to disagree with me and take the opposite viewpoint - complete with the trademark predictable sarky quip at the bottom of the post.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Eunan O'Kane has been playing Championship football for the sum total of two seasons. Just over three years ago he was in League Two. He is 24 years old. Glenn Whelan was the same age and Keith Andrews was older when they made their debuts. If O'Kane thinks he should be playing senior Intl. football after one season of playing regularly in the Championship and one season of being on the bench and struggling to make squads, then that is his prerogative, but honestly I think Michael is talking nonsense.

Instead of belittling O'Kane and other players who have switched, glossing over their reasons for declaring in the first place and using the career trajectories of Daniel Kearns, Anton Rodgers and Daniel Devine as a word of warning to O'Kane, maybe Michael should warn O'Kane about how little football Paul Paton, Will Grigg, Ben Reeves, Jonny Gorman, Niall McGinn and Paddy McCourt have procured since declaring for Northern Ireland.

Is he honestly pretending that players like Kearns & Devine should hold regrets about declaring for Ireland? They wouldn't be playing International football either way!

Alex Bruce is the most blatant example of hypocrisy.

Really. There is a game coming up between the two sides in a few days. Both sides have important games coming up. Michael should start being a bit more diplomatic, at least until the games are over. It's very disrespectful. The FAI are the only party leaving the ball in the players' proverbial court. People like Michael O'Neill are exerting undue influence, pressure and inappropriate comments over players that (no longer) belong to them.

Leave players like O'Kane alone. They are adults capable of making a decision like this without being publicly belittled and patronized because of another person's agenda.

[SwanVsDalton]

TBH Swans you're entitled to your opinion and I accept that. I knew before I opened the thread that you were going to go out of your way to disagree with me and take the opposite viewpoint...

Maybe, though ultimately O'Neill is saying 'I would really, really like to pick O'Kane' and I can't see Eunan getting too annoyed about that.

Seriously?!

That's me going out of my way to disagree with you? For god's sake, don't be such a crybaby - my comment was so inoffensively bland, if anyone is going "out of their way" it's you.

Also added kudos for the 'you're entitled to your opinion, but it's invalid' comment - nice one.

- complete with the trademark predictable sarky quip at the bottom of the post.

No offence intended. Genuinely, in the light of the conversation, I thought the photo was funny and meant it in a lighthearted way. Tough crowd and all that...

It's the second time recently in a thread it has to be said but relax, TOWK, I'm not (and no one else) is out to get you.

[geysir]

What can you say about these guys, pure unadulterated, eternal IFA victimhood.
It was Blatter, not them statutes, not them at CAS, which let us down

[Gather round]

maybe Michael should warn O'Kane about how little football Paul Paton, Will Grigg, Ben Reeves, Jonny Gorman, Niall McGinn and Paddy McCourt have procured since declaring for Northern Ireland

All of the above bar Gorman (an absurd indulgence by his rumoured dad, Worthington ) and McCourt (with the best will in the World an indisciplined chancer who was lucky to get as long a run in full-time football as he did) play regularly in EL1 or the SPL. Third-level players have a good chance in our squad as we just don't have enough at higher levels to make up the numbers.

Afternoon G, sun shining in Keflavik?

Pure, unadultered victimhood, like you say. And never-ending with it too...

[ArdeeBhoy]

By who...

[DeLorean]

Bamford thread closed?

Okay then. Are we to take it that Bamford is getting the foot.ie Grealish treatment until he's tied one way or another? Are we allowed to mention him at all?

[tetsujin1979]

It's being investigated, I didn't close it so I'm trying to find out why

[DannyInvincible]

What can you say about these guys, pure unadulterated, eternal IFA victimhood.
It was Blatter, not them statutes, not them at CAS, which let us down

Beacom still seems to believe in the "FIFA ruling" theory:

After the meeting, chaired by then IFA President Kennedy, Blatter blindsided local football chiefs when, in a press conference, he declared the FAI could take their pick of players born, bred and developed in Northern Ireland as long as they had an Irish passport, effectively leading to a ruling of the same.

[Olé Olé]

James Galway's comments on the Nolan Show earlier today might be of interest to you, TOWK. He's an Ulster Protestant (grew up in a loyalist community) who, it appears, has "committed the faux pas" of rejecting the "Northern Irish" label, instead preferring to identify simply as Irish.

You'll be able to listen to his comments, which have left unionists seething (and even threatening legal action), here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-33020329

Not wanting to stoke the fire here but have you read much of Carl Frampton's opinions/views/identifications on this matter, Danny? I assume you have read some of these..
http://www.sportsjoe.ie/boxing/youll...-hero-is/19143 He supports NI in the football, it appears. Also, supports Crusaders- club of former Irish under-21 and Celtic player, Diarmuid O'Carroll.
http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/r...13-217570.html Before his more recent success.
http://www.the42.ie/frampton-avalos-...62240-Feb2015/ In light of his more recent success.

[geysir]

Originally Posted by DannyInvincible
James Galway's comments on the Nolan Show earlier today might be of interest to you, TOWK. He's an Ulster Protestant (grew up in a loyalist community) who, it appears, has "committed the faux pas" of rejecting the "Northern Irish" label, instead preferring to identify simply as Irish.

You'll be able to listen to his comments, which have left unionists seething (and even threatening legal action), here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-33020329

I use to think Matt Molloy ruled supreme but now I'll also give some consideration to the merits of James G.

[Gather round]

Not wanting to stoke the fire here but have you read much of Carl Frampton's opinions/views/identifications on this matter, Danny? I assume you have read some of these..
http://www.sportsjoe.ie/boxing/youll...-hero-is/19143 He supports NI in the football, it appears. Also, supports Crusaders- club of former Irish under-21 and Celtic player, Diarmuid O'Carroll.
http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/r...13-217570.html Before his more recent success.
http://www.the42.ie/frampton-avalos-...62240-Feb2015/ In light of his more recent success

Frampton showed his World title belt to fans at Windsor before our Faroes qualifier. Looked like he'd just been beaten up, which I suppose he had

James Galway's comments on the Nolan Show earlier today might be of interest to you, TOWK. He's an Ulster Protestant (grew up in a loyalist community) who, it appears, has "committed the faux pas" of rejecting the "Northern Irish" label, instead preferring to identify simply as Irish

So, Swiss pensioner declares for united Ireland. Maybe he'll slip the fighting fund $5 million from the latest greatest hits CD sales?

If he's not too busy shagging C Ronado's girlfriend obviously...

[ArdeeBhoy]

Your posts become ever more 'cryptic'...

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Straight talking Rooney never considered playing for Ireland.

http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2015/...d-opportunity/

I have Irish grandparents, so if they wanted to play for Ireland I'm sure they could have, but it was never something I thought about.

"I was born in England, I'm English.

Meanwhile, amateur flautist Paul Gascoigne never got the chance to consider it.

http://www.balls.ie/football/it-tran...-for-us/295878

The problem was getting him to play for Ireland and if only I’d spoken to his mother a week earlier, I might have had the chance.

He actually qualified to play for Ireland but no one knew it at the time and we only just missed out on him.

If we could reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup without him, but with the quality players we had in the team at that time, what would we have been like with him in the side, in his prime?

I think I could have persuaded him, if I’d known. He still calls me his second dad and I do think I could have talked him into it.

[DannyInvincible]

I use to think Matt Molloy ruled supreme but now I'll also give some consideration to the merits of James G.

Plans by unionist councillors to put Galway forward for the freedom of Belfast have been swiftly shelved: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/su...-31285432.html

[Gather round]

Plans by unionist councillors to put Galway forward for the freedom of Belfast have been swiftly shelved: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/su...-31285432.html

Ha ha. Silly old goat

My Ma is well disappointed at his comments. She went to the same school, a late uncle was in the same flute band as the young JG.

Civic honours need not be unanimous, so the Nationalists and the rest could do the needful. My local Council stalled for some time before agreeing on Shakespearian actor Lenny Henry, seemingly on the grounds that he was neither an elected member nor held the Victoria Cross (top Brit military gong).