national team

**sean** · 26/10/2004, 1:30 AM

has there ever been an Irish speaker on the players pannel for the national team? what about the loi have there ever been a native speaker on a loi club?

**joeSoap** · 26/10/2004, 8:07 AM

Eon Poill and Ciaran Foley are both Irish speakers...they played for Limerick for a few seasons..maybe this should be moved to general so other clubs can let you know.

**drummerboy** · 26/10/2004, 8:46 AM

Heard Kenny Cunningham a couple of times with the cupla fochla.

**$Leon$** · 27/10/2004, 2:17 PM

during an interview about a year ago clinton morrision was talkin about how some of his fellow team mates were teaching him how to speak irish and drink guinness.
"not doin too well at the speakin irish bit, but i'm wicked at the drinkin guinness"
absolute legend. is it any wonder all the other players drop what ever there doin as soon as clinton is in the vicinity of a microphone.

**inexile** · 27/10/2004, 2:21 PM

clinto is a legend i loved his comment at the world cup after playing gaelic football in training he said "everyone is saying i is a natural" when informed that he wouldnt get paid he said "thats aiiight i do it for free" spoken like a true kerryman no?

**Stuttgart88** · 27/10/2004, 2:26 PM

Dunno about Irish players, but I've heard Martin Keown is fluent as gaeilge.

Both his parents hail from Gaeltacht areas I think.

**sylvo** · 27/10/2004, 2:38 PM

Kevin Kilbane is also an Irish speaker, I belive he done some interview's during the world cup on tg4 totally in Irish.

**drummerboy** · 27/10/2004, 2:48 PM

Saw Martin Keown being interviewed at a GAA club in London where he played gaa for his local Irish club. However said he played hurling once and decided it was not for him.

**NY Hoop** · 27/10/2004, 3:01 PM

Charlie McCreevy ex Finn Harps manager is fluent.

KOH

**Junior** · 27/10/2004, 3:28 PM

Originally Posted by drummerboy

Saw Martin Keown being interviewed at a GAA club in London where he played gaa for his local Irish club. However said he played hurling once and decided it was not for him.

makes you wonder why he never declared for us. I wasn't aware of his gaa links, but generally those of 2g who partake in gaa would generally view themselves as Irish first. anyone got any more info on Keown?

**Junior** · 27/10/2004, 4:11 PM

Originally Posted by pronane

ya he is a gob****e, read an interview with him, they were asking why he never declared for ireland, his father was very musical, and he used to learn some irish instrument when he was younger. He said he used to listen to irish music the whole time growing up and that he would go back to tiperarry every summer as a youngster, tip was where his father was from.

there was a good bit more. cant beleive he could go and play for england, though at the time he prolly knew he wouldn;t have got into the irish side, at the age he was trying to break in

would he have had more chance of playing in the england side though?

barglee · 27/10/2004, 4:42 PM

Why do we assume he'd play for Ireland. He was born in England so he's English! fair enough if he picked ireland but dont criticize him for picking the nation he was born in....

Sometimes the irish think we're some sort of special nation that everyone with any link to the country should claim to be Irish.

Say all this though, i read before that he'd like his children to play for Ireland!

**Cowboy** · 27/10/2004, 5:48 PM

Originally Posted by barglee

He was born in England so he's English!

Thats a ridiculous statement, is the Duke of wellington Irish? he was born in Ireland!

Are Dave O' Leary and Paul Mc Grath english ?

Please no more stupid generalisations

**Adrianovic** · 27/10/2004, 8:06 PM

Originally Posted by Cowboy

Thats a ridiculous statement, is the Duke of wellington Irish? he was born in Ireland!

Are Dave O' Leary and Paul Mc Grath english ?

Please no more stupid generalisations

Ahh you're taking the man literally, I assume he said that in the context that he was born in England so has every right to declare for England, rather than us being surprised he didn't declare for us.

Ade

**Cowboy** · 27/10/2004, 11:49 PM

Originally Posted by Adrianovic

Ahh you're taking the man literally, I assume he said that in the context that he was born in England so has every right to declare for England, rather than us being surprised he didn't declare for us.

Ade

I think he can speak up for himself, if thats what he meant then he should have said so.

**dynamo kerry** · 28/10/2004, 2:10 AM

Originally Posted by Cowboy

I think he can speak up for himself, if thats what he meant then he should have said so.

this 2g thing has been done to death here before my time and long more.

I got what he meant

**onenilgameover** · 28/10/2004, 2:26 AM

Yeah I heard Kev Kilbane was a dab hand with the ol irish. Someone on here met him out on the Aran Islands or so theyand he was speakin in Irish. Maybe the person who posted that would clarify.

**Junior** · 28/10/2004, 8:14 AM

Originally Posted by barglee

Why do we assume he'd play for Ireland. He was born in England so he's English! fair enough if he picked ireland but dont criticize him for picking the nation he was born in....

Sometimes the irish think we're some sort of special nation that everyone with any link to the country should claim to be Irish.

Say all this though, i read before that he'd like his children to play for Ireland!

I merely said I was surprised he opted for England with him having gaa links etc... And asked for more information.

No assumptions, no criticsim just an enquiry.

**Cowboy** · 28/10/2004, 9:28 AM

Originally Posted by dynamo kerry

this 2g thing has been done to death here before my time and long more.

and it will be done again when a statement which I personally find offensive is made.

**Steviewonder** · 28/10/2004, 10:57 AM

Originally Posted by Cowboy

Thats a ridiculous statement, is the Duke of wellington Irish? he was born in Ireland!

Are Dave O' Leary and Paul Mc Grath English ?

Please no more stupid generalisations.............

Originally Posted by Pronane

ya he is a gob****e, read an interview with him, they were asking why he never declared for ireland, He said he used to.....go back to tiperarry every summer as a youngster, tip was where his father was from.
cant beleive he could go and play for england, though at the time he prolly knew he wouldn;t have got into the irish side.............

It might be offensive to some, but its true. Someone born in a country will be a citizen of that country until they're old enough to decide otherwise.

My parents are both Welsh, & I go back to their home town at least twice a year to meet the relatives, but me? I was born in the Bould Holles street, which, to my knowledge, entitles me to play for Ireland and Wales, (should either association require the services of a fat, lazy, useless, no-footed, slow & tired 'utility player')

Without a single doubt, my choice would be Ireland, because I was born here. Sure, I keep an eye on the Millennium on Match days, follow the Welsh results, and watch 'em when circumstances allow, (one of the benifits of Sky bankrolling football means less clashing of the international kick off times..) But living, working & socialising here, I naturally feel more Irish than Welsh.

However, if Cowboys laws are enforced, no matter what my passport says, or whatever my own feelings are, I'm Welsh plain and simple, and I should bust my nuts to play for Wales, whether I want to or not.

And to add insult to injury, Pronane reckons that my Loving one country's culture yet longing to declare for the country of my birth makes me a Gobsh*te! Jesus Wept!

This begs the question, What the HELL are some of you on? People on this board can be so bloody insular at times.