Podcast: Why there are two Irish teams?

**davegaasports** · 20/05/2016, 9:34 AM

I had a very interesting chat with Cormac Moore, author of a new book that looks at the reasons why there are two Ireland teams competing internationally.

He discovered that there were many past efforts made to bring the teams together.

Listen here

**Gather round** · 20/05/2016, 2:42 PM

Originally Posted by davegaasports

I had a very interesting chat with Cormac Moore, author of a new book that looks at the reasons why there are two Ireland teams competing internationally.

He discovered that there were many past efforts made to bring the teams together.

Listen here

Whatever the historical background from the 20s, 50s or 70s- thoroughly covered by Cormac in the book- the reason why two teams endure is that neither's fans are willing for theirs to dissolve. Which, unsurprisingly, isn't really addressed in the podcast interview. Instead, we heard about a couple of academic sociology surveys suggesting that people from the PUL community who aren't interested in football wouldn't mind if there was a cross-border team. Presumably as they're unaware that one already exists, albeit bulked out by English and Scottish players

My fave bit is Cormac's claim that there might well have been a UI team in the 70s but for the Troubles. Or essentially, there would have been broad civic co-operation between Unionists and Nationalists but for the slight snag that there wasn't.

Interesting historically, a daydream in the present basically.

**gastric** · 21/05/2016, 12:48 AM

Originally Posted by Gather round

Whatever the historical background from the 20s, 50s or 70s- thoroughly covered by Cormac in the book- the reason why two teams endure is that neither's fans are willing for theirs to dissolve. Which, unsurprisingly, isn't really addressed in the podcast interview. Instead, we heard about a couple of academic sociology surveys suggesting that people from the PUL community who aren't interested in football wouldn't mind if there was a cross-border team. Presumably as they're unaware that one already exists, albeit bulked out by English and Scottish players

My fave bit is Cormac's claim that there might well have been a UI team in the 70s but for the Troubles. Or essentially, there would have been broad civic co-operation between Unionists and Nationalists but for the slight snag that there wasn't.

Interesting historically, a daydream in the present basically.

Tell us about your academic qualifications and expertise on this historical issue? Is it a masters you have on Irish football or it just your usual narrow minded, parochial attitude at work as usual?

**Metrostars** · 21/05/2016, 2:08 AM

#1 reason we still have two teams: Blazers

**Gather round** · 21/05/2016, 7:59 AM

Originally Posted by Metrostars

#1 reason we still have two teams: Blazers

If that were even a minor reason- let alone the most important- you might expect there to be a consistent clamor from NI fans for a merger/ takeover/ whatever to rescue us from the hapless IFA.

There isn't.

Originally Posted by Gastric

Tell us about your academic qualifications and expertise on this historical issue? Is it a masters you have on Irish football or it just your usual narrow minded, parochial attitude at work as usual?

Degree in modern history from Dublin University since you ask, not that I needed it to read and learn from Cormac's book.

I prefer to argue my point backed with evidence, rather than lazily pull rank. Or spout witless abuse.

If I was narrow-minded or parochial I wouldn't have read the book or listened to the author, let alone discuss them on another team's fan website.

Do better.

**gastric** · 21/05/2016, 9:20 AM

Originally Posted by Gather round

If that were even a minor reason- let alone the most important- you might expect there to be a consistent clamor from NI fans for a merger/ takeover/ whatever to rescue us from the hapless IFA.

There isn't.

Degree in modern history from Dublin University since you ask, not that I needed it to read and learn from Cormac's book.

I prefer to argue my point backed with evidence, rather than lazily pull rank. Or spout witless abuse.

If I was narrow-minded or parochial I wouldn't have read the book or listened to the author, let alone discuss them on another team's fan website.

Do better.

I asked if you had a degree in Irish football, not a degree in modern history, although the bizarre thing is I actually have a masters from UCD, though why I did it is still a question I ask myself! Isn't life funny. BTW, I am still not aware of this so called evidence you refer to. All I see in your posts is a narrow minded smugness that is parochial and hard to comprehend.