QuoteAw c'mon, spill the beans!Originally Posted by co. down green
I would put a massive health warning on the comment from Armstrong about Ferguson in the newsletter article.
I'll say no more!
Aw c'mon, spill the beans!
Ferguson is named in the Northern Ireland Under 21 squad for the Euro 2013 Under 21 qualifiers against Serbia (Friday 2 September) and Denmark (Tuesday 6 September).
The Englishmen came over in the year 2005
But little did they know that we'd planned a wee surprise
Sir David scored the winner, and Windsor Park went wild
And this is what we sang...
Steady on; let's not forget the last NI squad Shane Duffy was called into.
In seriousness, assuming he participates, that's probably a signal of intent, even though it's not going to tie him down or anything. Unless someone else knows otherwise. I'd find it difficult to see how he could say he was spending a summer mulling things over after having already represented the IFA and then, after coming back to play for the IFA, later declaring for the FAI.
Ya, you'd have to assume that that's it. Best of luck to him. Hope he gets a good reception. Can't of been an easy decision, as nothing can prepare you for the media attention etc, especially when you've played so few Senior games. The door is always open though.Steady on; let's not forget the last NI squad Shane Duffy was called into.
In seriousness, assuming he participates, that's probably a signal of intent, even though it's not going to tie him down or anything. Unless someone else knows otherwise. I'd find it difficult to see how he could say he was spending a summer mulling things over after having already represented the IFA and then, after coming back to play for the IFA, later declaring for the FAI.
It's ties him to the North's U21 qualification campaign - ie he can't play competitively for the Irish U21s until the current qualification campaign is complete.
I loved this post on another forum.
"Lads, I don't understand this.. I thought shane was coming to us??
He was a great GAA player, I thought he would be patriotic?"
Somebody had better get onto the Down County Board pronto, about these unpatriotic lads.
http://www.irishfa.com/the-ifa/item/...n-nigels-boys/
The Englishmen came over in the year 2005
But little did they know that we'd planned a wee surprise
Sir David scored the winner, and Windsor Park went wild
And this is what we sang...
Time to unleash our secret weapon, our very own EPN on the mainland.
Don Givens do your work.
As much as it'd be a shame not to have a prospect like Shane, seeing a couple of players stick with NI might stop the fan hysteria and give some NI fans/media a chance to put the dummy back in their mouth. Which would be nice.
Ou-est le Centre George Pompidou?
Yeah good luck to him and Northern Ireland. I do understand the average NI fan is aggrieved at losing some of their more promising potential players to the republic but you also can't force players to play for you that have little or no affinity to the team or country whether born within the limits of it's borders or not.
Maybe this small victory on their part will make them realise that they can still retain some of their more promising young stars.
Last edited by youngirish; 26/08/2011 at 6:01 PM.
Still we await the team announcements for next Friday. Until he togs out we are being premature.
I'm non-plussed either way but if it quietens the OWC then bring it on.
Indeed. I initially thought his full cap was a signal of intent, or at least a suggestion that he wouldn't change. Then I spoke to people who knew him as well as some relatives who told me it was likely that he was going to change. I think it's just best to wait until he pulls on a shirt in a competitive game one way or the other.Steady on; let's not forget the last NI squad Shane Duffy was called into.
In seriousness, assuming he participates, that's probably a signal of intent, even though it's not going to tie him down or anything. Unless someone else knows otherwise. I'd find it difficult to see how he could say he was spending a summer mulling things over after having already represented the IFA and then, after coming back to play for the IFA, later declaring for the FAI.
On a related note, if the impressionable 16 year old Shane Duffy had played in that same game as Ferguson, it's possible that he might not have changed at all.
End Apartheid Now! One Team in Ireland!
It will be interesting to see if he picks up an 'injury' before the game!
According to a poster on ybig he's commited himself to NI as he dosent feel he's good enough to play for us......best of luck to the lad.
I have a head only Snow White would love
Tough spot for him in fairness and it's not that difficult to understand his rationale, even if I do think he might be underrating himself.
Commit to us and wait for an opportunity that may never come, effectively (Alex Bruce's temerity aside) abandoning a likely, if finals-deprived international career with the North of Ireland or promptly come to the safe conclusion before anyone is offended.
Good luck to him.
Only its playing for your country,your flag. If he has to think that much about it maybe he is better off staying. It should be a no brainer TBH
.....
Last edited by Gather round; 27/08/2011 at 3:58 PM. Reason: Double post.
Since he started kicking a ball you've qualified for one finals out of eight. Somehow I doubt Ferguson is really weighing up his chances of a working holiday in Brazil, France, Russia or Qatar.
Well, he's grown up in a second country, apparently qualifies for a third through one of his parents and realistically will spend years of his working life in a fourth. Maybe for him it's a bit more complex.
GR in a game between NI and ROI who does he want to win ?
I suggest you ask one of the contributors to this forum who seem to know him or his family members personally. I can only judge him by what he says and does. He made it clear earlier this year his lack of commitment to playing for NI; on the strength of that I wouldn't be offering him an U-21 cap now.
Last edited by Gather round; 27/08/2011 at 4:27 PM.
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