Shane Ferguson

**ArdeeBhoy** · 13/04/2011, 1:56 PM

A trickle?

Though more could be good....

**DannyInvincible** · 14/04/2011, 12:50 PM

A "trickle" appears to be the term du jour, although no harm in a few more, certainly.

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

d) It also doesn't take into account all the immigrants who have children who will dillute the ones for a United Ireland.

For what it's worth, Derry-born Marc Mukendi, son of former Derry City player Jos� Mukendi, who was also an international player for Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo), the country of his birth, favoured playing for Ireland despite being also eligible to play for Northern Ireland (and, the Democratic Republic of Congo, presumably). He represented us at under-18 and under-19 level, as far as I know.

In fact, when Northern Ireland were playing Slovenia in Belfast the other week, a lad I know from Derry whose father comes from either Nigeria or Senegal (not 100 per cent certain which) and who is now living on Tate's Avenue near Windsor Park, evidently getting somewhat annoyed by chanting Northern Ireland fans walking past his door on their way to the ground, wrote the following as his Facebook status:

‎"Were not Brazill, we're Northern Ireland!"
Jesus f**k up you bunch of ignorant tw*ts...enjoy watching your wee made up country get beat

Admittedly not the most amicable of comments, but I suppose it provides a bit of an insight into his convictions. He also happens to support Ireland when it comes to international loyalties.

Fairly anecdotal stuff, I know, but my point is this; the likelihood is that the political or socio-cultural outlook of the sons and daughters of immigrants will be influenced somewhat by the communities and circumstances within which they are raised. Maybe there'll be others with unionist sympathies for whatever reason and, of course, others who couldn't care less, but it doesn't necessarily follow that any national aspiration for unity throughout Ireland will become "diluted" due to immigration.

Either way, the Irish constitution recognises that "a united Ireland shall be brought about only by peaceful means with the consent of a majority of the people, democratically expressed, in both jurisdictions in the island ... in all the diversity of their identities and traditions". That certainly doesn't confine voting in any future referendum on the matter to just Catholics, Protestants, nationalists, unionists or whoever it is you're suggesting the constitution refers to the exclusion of "immigrants who will have children", but sounds very much like it encompasses the considerations of immigrants and their families to me, just so long as they are registered and have a right to vote in said referendum, of course.

**Not Brazil** · 14/04/2011, 1:37 PM

Originally Posted by DannyInvincible

In fact, when Northern Ireland were playing Slovenia in Belfast the other week, a lad I know from Derry whose father comes from either Nigeria or Senegal (not 100 per cent certain which) and who is now living on Tate's Avenue near Windsor Park, evidently getting somewhat annoyed by chanting Northern Ireland fans walking past his door on their way to the ground, wrote the following as his Facebook status:

"Were not Brazill, we're Northern Ireland!"
Jesus f**k up you bunch of ignorant tw*ts...enjoy watching your wee made up country get beat"

Admittedly not the most amicable of comments, but I suppose it provides a bit of an insight into his convictions. He also happens to support Ireland when it comes to international loyalties.

This made me chuckle - thanks for sharing.

**The Fly** · 14/04/2011, 2:30 PM

Originally Posted by DannyInvincible

"Were not Brazill, we're Northern Ireland!"
Jesus f**k up you bunch of ignorant tw*ts...enjoy watching your wee made up country get beat

You can tell he's not fully "Norn Iron" because that should've been 'get bate'

**DannyInvincible** · 14/04/2011, 6:44 PM

Originally Posted by Not Brazil

This made me chuckle - thanks for sharing.

Transpires the lad's father's from Ghana. Not sure why I had the other two in my head. Not that it matters a huge deal, but glad to be of assistance.

**ArdeeBhoy** · 15/04/2011, 10:41 AM

Those two young lads with African heritage have obviously been well brought up. And noted their enviroment.

Wonder if the North have ever had any non-white fans??

**Not Brazil** · 15/04/2011, 11:07 AM

Originally Posted by ArdeeBhoy

Wonder if the North have ever had any non-white fans??

Yes, Northern Ireland have had "non-white" fans...and still do.

**Charlie Darwin** · 15/04/2011, 11:43 AM

Sure they're all orange.

**Not Brazil** · 15/04/2011, 11:56 AM

Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

Sure they're all orange.

Not all of us use sunbeds, or fake tan.

**SkStu** · 15/04/2011, 4:16 PM

Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

Sure they're all orange.

**Eminence Grise** · 15/04/2011, 5:17 PM

Originally Posted by SkStu

They age well, all the same!Attachment 1747

**co. down green** · 15/04/2011, 6:34 PM

Originally Posted by Not Brazil

Yes, Northern Ireland have had "non-white" fans...and still do.

**geysir** · 15/04/2011, 8:38 PM

The Royal Black Preceptors?

**tetsujin1979** · 16/04/2011, 11:57 AM

From todays Independent: http://www.independent.ie/sport/socc...y-2621278.html

The planned American jaunt will be for rising
stars, and Tardelli was coy enough on the
prospect of Derry-born Newcastle player Shane
Ferguson being in that number. The left-sided
performer has represented Northern Ireland in a
senior friendly, but the fear in Belfast is that he
intends to follow Shane Duffy and declare for
Ireland. "He hasn't indicated to us, but I like
him," smiled the Irish No 2. "There are many
ways for him to contact us."
The 19-year-old might be one for the future.
Whether it's a vision that involves Tardelli will
depend on the events of the next six months.

**DannyInvincible** · 16/04/2011, 6:44 PM

It would appear from that, in spite of the IFA recently making a very serious attempt to break from what Jim Boyce publicly accepted and agreed with the FAI in 1999 with regard to the status of northern-born Irish nationals along with the CAS ruling as a result of that, that the FAI are still awaiting contact from interested northern parties first. Of course, there are complications with this. From a young player's perspective, it might appear somewhat arrogant on his behalf. Generally, players are invited to join international teams on the basis of being deemed worthy enough by whoever the particular manager is. They don't invite themselves. I understand why the FAI would be reluctant to appear like they're "intruding" on someone who'd have no interest in representing us either - leaving them open to criticism by over-sensitive whiners happy to latch the term "sectarian" onto anything that doesn't favour their political persuasion - but why worry about it really? It's perfectly legitimate and entirely within the rules. These nationals are born Irish just like every other national born on the island. Nothing wrong with making a brief enquiry. If the player says he's not interested, no harm done. Does the FAI wait for those who qualify under the "granny rule" to make first contact?

**geysir** · 16/04/2011, 7:20 PM

**TrapAPony** · 16/04/2011, 7:40 PM

Originally Posted by DannyInvincible

Does the FAI wait for those who qualify under the "granny rule" to make first contact?

If they do then I don't think that's the right way to go about things.

**ArdeeBhoy** · 17/04/2011, 6:01 AM

Just invite/poach/press gang them....

**Predator** · 17/04/2011, 1:55 PM

According to a poster on a certain forum, Shane Ferguson is not sure about where his future lies.

**DannyInvincible** · 17/04/2011, 6:16 PM

Originally Posted by Predator

According to a poster on a certain forum, Shane Ferguson is not sure about where his future lies.

I see Tardelli has been referred to in the most unendearing of terms for his brief comment on the matter, despite having clearly been directly asked about it by a journalist. From a NI fan's perspective, I can't see what problem there would be with it given that who initiates contact appears to be a pivotal issue. Besides, Tardelli is a thoroughly likeable and jovial chap. Don't think I've ever seen him without a smile on his face.

I also note the poster you're referring to had a word with Ferguson in an attempt to convince him to play for NI. Hmm... Given dubious and cloudy accusations of the FAI and nationalist community "pressuring" players from nationalist backgrounds into declaring for us, surely that's blatant hypocrisy? Another comments, "let's hope the lad has a mind of his own", as if declaring for the FAI would be indicative of some brainwashing having stripped poor Shane of his cognisance whilst sticking with NI could obviously only be entirely a decision made independently and totally at his own behest, but, indeed; let's hope the lad has a mind of his own.