Club or Country?

[sylvo]

Country.

[Schumi]

Club for me: 40-odd games in a season against 4-odd games in a season.

[dublinred]

Its a lot easier to change country than clubs these days , houghton, Townsend , Morrison etc.

[Dublin12]

[eirebhoy]

Its a lot easier to change country than clubs these days , houghton, Townsend , Morrison etc.

95% of premiership players could move if they wanted.

[eoinh]

That should be something to be proud of. I asked an American what's the first thing that comes to mind when she thinks of Ireland and she said golf. Why is that? Because Harrington, Clarke and McGinley rapping themselves in the Ireland flag and singing with the Irish people. I can't wait for the Ryder cup in two years time as the 3rd biggest sporting event is coming to this country. Its all about country, its all about Ireland and I hope that doesn't change.

You probably feel that about only some sports though... that passionatic streak.

For instance, How did Ireland do in the last Crown Green World Championships?

[eirebhoy]

You probably feel that about only some sports though... that passionatic streak.

For instance, How did Ireland do in the last Crown Green World Championships?

Was that the 60 odd year old lady who won it? If so, it was on all the news bulletin's. If not, I haven't a clue. I love to see Ireland do well in absolutely everything, not that I keep an eye on all sports though. I hate cricket, never watched it, but still would love Ireland to have a good team.

[eirebhoy]

Well, I've tried to watch it. Shouldn't have said I hate it. Put it this way, if the biggest match of the year was on every TV in the pub I couldn't see myself watching it. That would probably be one of the few sports I could say that about. Altough, if Ireland were playing in a big enough game I'd watch it.

I love rugby, I was honestly getting palpitations watching England v Ireland.

Anyway, back on topic...

[eoinh]

Ireland play world cup qualifiers in cricket quite a bit i think. Yet where has all this love for ones country gone?

[eirebhoy]

Ireland play world cup qualifiers in cricket quite a bit i think. Yet where has all this love for ones country gone?

Never seen them on telly. Just read about their last year heroics in the papers.

[Éanna]

Roll yer eyes all you want, but saying that it's all non el fans saying 'country', & mainly the brave proud hardy true fans saying 'club' is a bit of a generalisation.

that wasn't what I meant. I meant that more non-eL fans were putting country first, and not club. sorry if I didn't make it clearer.

[Éanna]

Ireland all the way, every time. Loyalty is never called into question when it comes to wearing that shirt.
You Cork people need to go and take a long hard look at yourselves and your boring little city. Or alternatively go and live in Switzerland.

Loyalty ain't in question for eircom League fans either. "little City"? I was gonna say "you can talk" but then I remembered that Bray is sometimes in Dublin and sometimes in Wicklow- depending what suits.

I think if you asked the same question to followers of the English leagues and England I could quarantee almost everybody would support their club all the time over country.

spot on! Most fans who REALLY support a club would say that.

Ireland all the way for me too. Does that disqualify me from being a real fan of Irish football?

It doesn't, no. Its just a matter of opinion really.

sheridan the thing is you could be born in dublin, cork, sligo ( god help ye ) or longford ( even worse again ) but at the end of the day what are ye??? your irish.

yeah, but you're born in that place and you can be proud of it. I'm very proud of being Irish, but I would consider myself more Cork than Irish.

Why should that matter? Whoever plays for the Ireland team are representing us, and that's why they deserve our support. Similarly, when they win, lots of us celebrate. Our investment is emotional, and it's certainly no less real for that.

Thats fair enough. Thats how I feel about City.

To you and the other nay-sayers at this time of good cheer, bah bleedin' humbug. To the rest, a happy and holy Christmas.

I wouldn't have said its nay-saying as much as a different point of view.

I don't believe that attending every EL game makes you any more of a fan than someone who can't afford to go games, or can't becuase of work life etc but lives and dies for the results of his/her team. I know many people who live like that and others whoose lives revolve around amatuer football in the country.

It certainly doesn't make you more of a fan. Its people who have nothing to do with football at ANY level in this country and just watch Sky all the time that I have a problem with. I know guys who give all their time to junior/under-age football and they are the true football people, just like eL fans. Its the ones who go to landsdowne every couple of months and "support" their team from the comfort of their local that I despise.

[Éanna]

I love rugby, I was honestly getting palpitations watching England v Ireland.

I love rugby as well. And support the irish rugby team. Because IMO the Irish rugby team represents Ireland (in a way that the football team doesn't) and also it represents the 32 counties (another plus over the football team.)

[eirebhoy]

I love rugby as well. And support the irish rugby team. Because IMO the Irish rugby team represents Ireland (in a way that the football team doesn't) and also it represents the 32 counties (another plus over the football team.)

Portugal - Deco (Brazilian)
Italy - Ferrari (Algerian), Camoranesi (Argentinian), Liverani (Somalian)
Germany - Kuranyi (Brazilian), Asamoah (Ghanian)
France - Trezeguet (born and bread in Argentina to Argentinian parents)
Poland - Olisadebe (Nigerian)
Belgium - Mpenza (Congo)
Turkey - Basturk (German), Davala (German)
Japan - Alex (Brazilian)

Those are the names I know with a bit of help from Google. Then you have the hundreds in Africa incuding des Santos of Togo:
"For me, a match against the Brazilian team in the World Cup would be very tough," he told Reuters. "I think I'd ask the coach not to play. Seriously."

At this rate you might aswell give up supporting football.

[Éanna]

Portugal - Deco (Brazilian)
Italy - Ferrari (Algerian), Camoranesi (Argentinian), Liverani (Somalian)
Germany - Kuranyi (Brazilian), Asamoah (Ghanian)
France - Trezeguet (born and bread in Argentina to Argentinian parents)
Poland - Olisadebe (Nigerian)
Belgium - Mpenza (Congo)
Turkey - Basturk (German), Davala (German)
Japan - Alex (Brazilian)

what is your point? I don't agree with ANY footballer chopping and changing nationality like that.

There is one crucial difference between most (if not all) of those players and the likes of Morrison/Holland/Macken though. Those players lived in the countries they switched to. Has Clinton ever lived in Ireland? Or Matt? Or Jon? I'm not some fundamentalist nationalist who believes you have to be born in Ireland to be Irish, but the likes of these guys know nothing about Ireland or what it is to be Irish- gary Breen was born in England, but played for Ireland all the way and he's as irish as you or me. these imposters aren't. Its an easy ticket to a wage rise for them- "hey boss. I'm an international now. I should be on more than this"

[Éanna]

by the way for france you can add the likes of:
Barthez (Spain)
Thuram (Guadaloupe)
Vieira (senegal)
Desailly (Ghana)

or Hargreaves for England. the list is endless. I know that. Doesn't mean I have to agree with it

[Beavis]

It certainly doesn't make you more of a fan. Its people who have nothing to do with football at ANY level in this country and just watch Sky all the time that I have a problem with. I know guys who give all their time to junior/under-age football and they are the true football people, just like eL fans. Its the ones who go to landsdowne every couple of months and "support" their team from the comfort of their local that I despise.

Glad you acknowledge this,I agree with this point of view.

My problem with club support is because there is so much migration among counties in Ireland and has been for years, it is rare to find someone whos roots cannot be traced to another part of the country. People wont become overly attached to any particular location. It’s to be expected that so many of us see ourselves Irish first and foremost and our place of birth and parental connections take secondary concern. When eL clubs enter Europe they represent Ireland and then it matters to me. The Hadjuk Split game ant Tolka was the best football memory of the year after Swiss and France.

On the other hand I couldn’t give a toss about the irish rugby team. I just cant stand the irish rugby culture.

[Slash/ED]

On the other hand I couldn’t give a toss about the irish rugby team. I just cant stand the irish rugby culture.

I agree with that, generally I'll cheer for anything Irish, the exceptions are Ronan Keating and the Irish Rugby team.

[Éanna]

My problem with club support is because there is so much migration among counties in Ireland and has been for years, it is rare to find someone whos roots cannot be traced to another part of the country. People wont become overly attached to any particular location. It’s to be expected that so many of us see ourselves Irish first and foremost and our place of birth and parental connections take secondary concern. When eL clubs enter Europe they represent Ireland and then it matters to me. The Hadjuk Split game ant Tolka was the best football memory of the year after Swiss and France.

very good point. As an example- I was born in Cork, but my mother's from Galway. I've lived in Cork most of my life, and am very proud to be from Cork. that said, I always feel at home in Galway, and always look out for GUFC's results.

On the other hand I couldn’t give a toss about the irish rugby team. I just cant stand the irish rugby culture.

I'll support any team in any sport that (REALLY) represents Ireland- cricket, rugby, made-up GAA-thingy....etc..... anything. Agreed on the rugby culture, but its a great game

[Éanna]

Obviously opt for supporting the former,but have a big place in my heart for the other 2,as they represent some part of who & what I am.The same applies to many proper sportspeople(& thus people should apply brain,before engaging in bias!)..........

yeah, I agree. But read some of things these guys have said over the years (clinton in particular) and tell me honestly that you think he grew up feeling irish? tony cas is more irish than clinton, passport or no passport.