Shane Ferguson

Originally Posted by awec

This I have no issue with. If you read posts from me both here and elsewhere you'll see that I've even defended the players that switch for this reason. I am not a bigot, I'm a northern born protestant who would have no issue attending GAA games, going to croke park etc etc.

My issue is with people like ArdeeBhoy spouting his tripe.

So you don't really believe that the FAI pursues a sectarian selection policy then?

Originally Posted by awec

I've never actually went to one, but I'd have no aversion to doing so.

I went to a rugby playing school (one of only two in Waterford at the time) so I didnt have a GAA upbringing - went to a few games but didnt like it - didnt like a lot of the crap that went with it either.

Originally Posted by DannyInvincible

So you don't really believe that the FAI pursues a sectarian selection policy then?

No, but I thought since ArdeeBhoy is continually allowed to spout his bile that I may as well present an equally non-sensical counter-argument.

Are there any ROI protestants we can give them to square things?

Originally Posted by Adrock

Are there any ROI protestants we can give them to square things?

Graham Norton and David Norris


And Bono

I disagree almost entirely with Awec about the FAI. They clearly aren't sectarian, not really bothered about a player's other (dual-) nationality let alone his religion. Apart from all the British-born players in their squads, recent youth caps have gone to Messrs Lanre Oyebanjo and Selcuk Tidim. I'm guessing there's at least some non-Catholic West African/ Turkish ancestry in there, but who cares if they're eligible and good enough? I'm pretty certain if a kid from unionist background in NI was interested, they'd consider him too, even while realising the ill-informed grumbling from NI fans and the Belfast media might be even greater.

The FAI aren't interested in how many Catholics are in our team, any more than they care about the number of Zambians, squaddies or goalkeepers who can double up front.

Rather than sulking, we should be a) asking ourselves why guys who've already played NI would want to go elsewhere and b) talking to the FAI direct, not wasting time in spurious legal action nor FIFA politicking. But if the FAI continue to exploit us within the rules, we'll have to grin and bear it.

Originally Posted by greendeiseboy

Cant understand how a nation can go through their whole existence wanting to "take out" their neighbour because of their creed or colour

Whoa. Less of the lazy stereotyping please.

It embarrasses me when I'm abroad and people ask do the Catholic and Protestants still kill each other in Ireland. The answer I give them is it was never my war and never will be

Heh. I sympathise with your embarrassment, but it would be unfair- and naive- to blame the foreigners. They aren't winding you up: you can't blame them for not knowing the subtle nuances between the Irish Republican Army and the er, Irish Republic

Originally Posted by backtowalsall

the GFA were being racist when they picked Kevin Prince Boateng

I was wondering for a minute there what role the sometime Spurs makeweight had in our peace procession...

Originally Posted by seanfhear

I would say that its as simple as the players wanting to play for the team that they supported (and probably family and friends) as they were growing up

Not quite, if they've already played for NI teams (including the first team, in some cases). But broadly you're right, it isn't a press gang.

Originally Posted by Adrock

Are there any ROI protestants we can give them to square things?

Would only apply if either a) they qualified on dual-nationality, granny rule or residence, or b) NI secedes from Britain and gives everyone in the South automatic citizenship

OK the discussion has got into a North V South thing, anyway he is starting for Newcastle today.
Can it be confirmed he wants to play for the Republic because I don't what to read the whole thread
as it is largely off topic.
I will watch the match if he is.

http://www.joe.ie/football/internati...land-0011027-1

Shane Ferguson considers switching to the Republic of Ireland
yesterday at 9:30 am

Newcastle United’s Shane Ferguson could be considering switching nationalities, according to reports in The Irish Times.

The 19-year-old has been capped at under-17, under-19, under-21 as well as B team and full international level for Northern Ireland.

As his one cap for the North came in a friendly, however, he is still eligible to switch to the Republic under current FIFA laws.

The Irish Times claim that the switch is very likely, and the FAI have so far refused to comment on the possibility.

The loss of Ferguson would be a bitter blow to the IFA, who have already lost Darron Gibson, Shane Duffy, Paul George, Daniel Kearns and Marc Wilson to the FAI.

“It would be another disappointment for us if Shane decides to go,” IFA president Jim Shaw told the Belfast Telegraph.

Ferguson, a former Gaelic footballer and Derry City player, has impressed in his five appearances for Newcastle this season.

Looks like we have another James McCarthy thread, is any bookmaker taking bets it will be longer than the McCarthy thread before
he start for the republic.

Here is Alan Pardew saying he want to stick to club football.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foot...4923794257.stm

Originally Posted by tricky_colour

Looks like we have another James McCarthy thread, is any bookmaker taking bets it will be longer than the McCarthy thread before
he start for the republic.

Here is Alan Pardew saying he want to stick to club football.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foot...4923794257.stm

Your a very naughty boy !

Originally Posted by Gather round

I disagree almost entirely with Awec about the FAI. They clearly aren't sectarian, not really bothered about a player's other (dual-) nationality let alone his religion. Apart from all the British-born players in their squads, recent youth caps have gone to Messrs Lanre Oyebanjo and Selcuk Tidim. I'm guessing there's at least some non-Catholic West African/ Turkish ancestry in there, but who cares if they're eligible and good enough? I'm pretty certain if a kid from unionist background in NI was interested, they'd consider him too, even while realising the ill-informed grumbling from NI fans and the Belfast media might be even greater.

The FAI aren't interested in how mny Catholics are in our team, any more than they care about the number of Zambians, squaddies or goalkeepers who can double up front.

Rather than sulking, we should be a) asking ourselves why guys who've already played NI would want to go elsewhere and b) talking to the FAI direct, not wasting time in spurious legal action nor FIFA politicking. But if the FAI continue to exploit us within the rules, we'll have to grin and bear it.



Whoa. Less of the lazy stereotyping please.


Heh. I sympathise with your embarrassment, but it would be unfair- and naive- to blame the foreigners. They aren't winding you up: you can't blame them for not knowing the subtle nuances between the Irish Republican Army and the er, Irish Republic ;)

Lol....good point re the Irish quote - I'm sure you even get that one when you're abroad seen as we're all seen as just Irish no matter where we are - England included !!!. As regards the stereotyping, unfortunately that's how a lot of us down here see things up there - justified or not.

Originally Posted by tricky_colour

OK the discussion has got into a North V South thing

RoI supporters website starts thread about NI full international. What do you expect the discussion to be about- the Moriarty Tribunal?

Originally Posted by Greendeiseboy

I'm sure you even get that one when you're abroad seen as we're all seen as just Irish no matter where we are - England included

Of course, I've little problem with that. Northern Ireland- even Ireland as a whole- is a backwater internationally.

As regards the stereotyping, unfortunately that's how a lot of us down here see things up there - justified or not

The implication was that you think everyone in NI supports paramilitarism. If you can't even be arsed to justify that, you're hardly in a position to sneer at anyone else.

Our Shane starts today for Newcastle v Wolves.

He's only yours when he starts or comes on for the RoI, surely?

Originally Posted by Gather round

RoI supporters website starts thread about NI full international. What do you expect the discussion to be about- the Moriarty Tribunal?



Of course, I've little problem with that. Northern Ireland- even Ireland as a whole- is a backwater internationally.



The implication was that you think everyone in NI supports paramilitarism. If you can't even be arsed to justify that, you're hardly in a position to sneer at anyone else.

As I said- justified or not - that's how the North is perceived even today. Unfortunately those that are trying to promote cross community relations are drowned out by the actions of others which are bound to make the headlines. The point in this is when ye played Scotland last month - what made the papers was the behavior of a minority of your fans.

I remember being in Belfast with a few friends - all Protestants -and we went for food in a take away - I was told not to speak as there were a few locals in there who if they heard my accent would most likely give me a hiding.


Like what way is that to carry on or live your life?

Ok, maybe not everyone up there is not preoccupied with religion or politics but having to be careful about what you say or how you speak, the places you socialise and who you socialise with it must be a very difficult place to live.

Originally Posted by greendeiseboy

As I said- justified or not - that's how the North is perceived even today

GDB: hasn't it occured to you that moaning about foreigners' image of Ireland is a bit daft when your own is so simplistic? Anyone in RoI who thinks everyone in NI supports paramilitary violence is either plain daft, or stirring it.

The point in this is when ye played Scotland last month - what made the papers was the behavior of a minority of your fans

So you recognise it was just an unrepresentative minority, not everyone? A start, I suppose.

I remember being in Belfast with a few friends - all Protestants -and we went for food in a take away - I was told not to speak as there were a few locals in there who if they heard my accent would most likely give me a hiding. Like what way is that to carry on or live your life?

If I were you I'd be asking why my 'mates' favorite takeaway is frequented by hoodlums.

Ok, maybe not everyone up there is not preoccupied with religion or politics but having to be careful about what you say or how you speak, the places you socialise and who you socialise with it must be a very difficult place to live

Spare us the melodrama, please.

Originally Posted by Gather round

GDB: hasn't it occured to you that moaning about foreigners' image of Ireland is a bit daft when your own is so simplistic? Anyone in RoI who thinks everyone in NI supports paramilitary violence is either plain daft, or stirring it.



So you recognise it was just an unrepresentative minority, not everyone? A start, I suppose.



If I were you I'd be asking why my 'mates' favorite takeaway is frequented by hoodlums.



Spare us the melodrama, please.

I suppose our preconceptions of your country are probably similar to ye're preconceptions of us in relation to the Catholic church and its members.

As regard the take away - well I'm sure my mates went there in good faith - if you pardon the pun.

Originally Posted by greendeiseboy

I suppose our preconceptions of your country are probably similar to ye're preconceptions of us in relation to the Catholic church and its members

No, wrong again. I had no problems with the RC Church when I lived in Dublin, and I certainly didn't generalise about the whole population based on what the Vatican said.

Originally Posted by Gather round

He's only yours when he starts or comes on for the RoI, surely?

He belongs to both of us.

He doesn't 'belong' to anyone. What is this, the slave trade?