Rory Donnelly

**third policeman** · 22/12/2011, 11:32 AM

Originally Posted by punkrocket

As this is a thread about Rory Donnelly I don't want to go into too much detail about the home town of a prospective manager of the lad's but suffice to say that Carnlough is a strongly nationalist town at the southern end of the Glens of Antrim and my suspicion would be that anyone hailing from there would be unlikely to advise a player to play for NI a suspicion supported by his son's actions. Yes he does say all that stuff about supporting NI which we have to take at face value but I wonder just what advise his son was given by him, I'm sure he was asked for his thoughts. I don't think there is conclusive evidence either way, but I still have my suspicions. Bit of a christmas whodunnit, must get the cluedo out over the holidays. Who loves ya baby?
What do you think of the kind of money being offered for Donnelly? I think it's a bit of an insult and hope that Cliftonville hold out for a decent price and follow ups.
Anyway I see that there has been a deadline for resolution of the whole saga by Cliftonville and that Arsenal are now interested as well. Can't see it being done and dusted that quick myself.

OK IFK. I know you may regard this as ex post facto validation of my point, but I would submit that the above post clearly does suggest that Northern "nationalists" (not a term that I introduced to these discussions) should / would naturally choose to opt to play for Ireland rather than NI. More fundamentally it is implicit in the very existence of this thread that someone playing for Cliftonville with the name of Donnelly would be more likely to play for us than an upcoming prospect at Linfield or Crusaders from a unionist background.

My point is that we are beginning to expect Northern "nationalists" to follow the Gibson, Duffy, Wilson trail and this expectation might be unreasonable and ultimately unheplful for community relationships in NI. Manny players with "nationalist" backgrounds and cultural outlooks have played and will play for NI.The spectre of Ireland's two football teams becoming the international equivalent of Celtic and Rangers is what troubles me, and it's the basis of my past gripes with the
likes of Ealing Green and Gather Round who are seemingly blind to the continuing sectarian excesses of many diehard NI supporters.

My preferance would be for a single team especially as the IFA / FAI schism was not exclusively about partition and both teams have at different times picked players from both sides of the border. But in the mean time (and I know its heresy to some on this site) maybe we shouldn't pick NI born players, but should take a look at the bigger picture.

**punkrocket** · 22/12/2011, 11:47 AM

I knew there was a reason why I don't post over on that other thread.

**Predator** · 22/12/2011, 11:58 AM

Rodgers has also recently said he doesn't like the Irish national team (s) question because of the political baggage that is inherently attached.
I'd say he doesn't care much who his son plays for as long as he's playing.

**Predator** · 22/12/2011, 12:03 PM

Originally Posted by third policeman

...this expectation might be unreasonable and ultimately unheplful for community relationships in NI...

Can you elaborate on this?

But in the mean time (and I know its heresy to some on this site) maybe we shouldn't pick NI born players, but should take a look at the bigger picture.

Hold on, what is this so-called "bigger picture"?

**Newryrep** · 22/12/2011, 12:03 PM

Originally Posted by third policeman

My preferance would be for a single team especially as the IFA / FAI schism was not exclusively about partition and both teams have at different times picked players from both sides of the border. But in the mean time (and I know its heresy to some on this site) maybe we shouldn't pick NI born players, but should take a look at the bigger picture.

Eh ? its about identity .............if you believe your identity is Northern Irish then play for northern ireland, if you dont then play for us it cant be any more simplier

Not interested in one side at the moment, and to be fair religion is irellevent to both teams

**tetsujin1979** · 22/12/2011, 12:31 PM

Originally Posted by Not Brazil

Did you really bother to read Rodgers comments?

"the reason my son is playing for the Republic is simple - they asked him while he was never asked to play for Northern Ireland"

Rodgers Jnr will shortly have the opportunity to play for Northern Ireland.

When he was interviewed recently on Newstalk, Brendan mentioned that Anton was also eligible for Scotland, but he didn't think Anton would change his allegiance

**Not Brazil** · 22/12/2011, 12:33 PM

Originally Posted by punkrocket

Many people have the opportunity to play for NI and many decline to do so.

So what?

No different to those who have the opportunity to play for the South, but decline to do so.

I expect to see Rodgers Jnr in a Northern Ireland shirt in the not too distant future.

**Not Brazil** · 22/12/2011, 12:35 PM

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

When he was interviewed recently on Newstalk, Brendan mentioned that Anton was also eligible for Scotland, but he didn't think Anton would change his allegiance

In the words of Brendan, his son's current allegiance to the South "is not something that can't be rectified".

**punkrocket** · 22/12/2011, 12:43 PM

That's if he doesn't decline to do so.

**third policeman** · 22/12/2011, 12:56 PM

Originally Posted by Predator

Can you elaborate on this?

Hold on, what is this so-called "bigger picture"?

You live in Derry, you shouldn't really need me to explain this one to you.

**punkrocket** · 22/12/2011, 1:05 PM

Shouldn't this be in the Irish League section?

**tetsujin1979** · 22/12/2011, 1:16 PM

Originally Posted by Not Brazil

In the words of Brendan, his son's current allegiance to the South "is not something that can't be rectified".

only if he thinks it needs to be rectified, which doesn't seem to be the case at the moment

**Not Brazil** · 22/12/2011, 1:35 PM

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

only if he thinks it needs to be rectified, which doesn't seem to be the case at the moment

I think Uncle Tom has already been to see the player, with Brendan's blessing.

We'll see what transpires in the New Year

**Not Brazil** · 22/12/2011, 1:36 PM

Originally Posted by punkrocket

That's if he doesn't decline to do so.

Naturally.

**Not Brazil** · 22/12/2011, 1:47 PM

Originally Posted by third policeman

More fundamentally it is implicit in the very existence of this thread that someone playing for Cliftonville with the name of Donnelly would be more likely to play for us than an upcoming prospect at Linfield or Crusaders from a unionist background.

Plenty of players from a nationalist background at both Linfield & Crusaders - at various age levels.

**BonnieShels** · 22/12/2011, 2:30 PM

Originally Posted by joe_denilson

I thought it was odd that he didn't even Thank him once! Despite his reverence.....

Unfortunately you can't thank anyone in the mobile skin. I will have yo wait until I'm on a pc.

**punkrocket** · 22/12/2011, 2:54 PM

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/16291885.stm

Glad to see the price has jumped somewhat. Strange bit of business management from Cliftonville last night though, not giving him any time on the pitch with scouts from Leicester and Arsenal over to see him.

**Ol� Ol�** · 22/12/2011, 3:07 PM

Originally Posted by third policeman

More fundamentally it is implicit in the very existence of this thread that someone playing for Cliftonville with the name of Donnelly would be more likely to play for us than an upcoming prospect at Linfield or Crusaders from a unionist background.
.

Originally Posted by Not Brazil

Plenty of players from a nationalist background at both Linfield & Crusaders - at various age levels.

The original poster wasn't disputing that in the slighest, they were simply specifying the Unionist contingent of the respective clubs and the unlikelihood that any one of them would consider to represent the Republic.

**Deckydee** · 22/12/2011, 4:54 PM

I agree McShane is a terrible defender

Can we talk about anything else on this site?

**Predator** · 22/12/2011, 6:04 PM

Originally Posted by punkrocket

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/16291885.stm

Glad to see the price has jumped somewhat. Strange bit of business management from Cliftonville last night though, not giving him any time on the pitch with scouts from Leicester and Arsenal over to see him.

Hmm, I'd be skeptical over how much "considerably higher" is when it comes to Everton. They are not exactly what you'd call "flush".

Originally Posted by Deckydee

I agree McShane is a terrible defender

Can we talk about anything else on this site?

Don't fret, just...ignore.