Beecher Networks - Web Development, Hosting & Domains
Page 39 of 43 FirstFirst ... 293738394041 ... LastLast
Results 761 to 780 of 842

Thread: All-Ireland League Thread

  1. #761
    Banned. Children Banned. Grandchildren Banned. 3 Months. Charlie Darwin's Avatar
    Joined
    Jan 2010
    Posts
    18,577
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    3,890
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    5,310
    Thanked in
    3,368 Posts
    Yeah I would have thought a UI and the all-Ireland league are mutually exclusive. Although, to be fair, Nutsy is probably part of why Linfield are so keen on it. And Cliftonville, unless I'm mistaken, were the most reluctant despite being nominally the nationalist club.

  2. #762
    Reserves Kiki Balboa's Avatar
    Joined
    Dec 2011
    Location
    In the shadow realm
    Posts
    557
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    15
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    107
    Thanked in
    71 Posts
    The football culture is the same both sides of the border really. Both niche, strong community and locally focussed leagues. There is a lot of great football people North and South.


    Talk of a United Ireland is just a wedge that would divide the football fans on the island.

  3. #763
    First Team ToberonaTornado's Avatar
    Joined
    May 2016
    Location
    Faughart,Dundalk.
    Posts
    1,722
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    120
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    276
    Thanked in
    194 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by Kiki Balboa View Post
    The football culture is the same both sides of the border really. Both niche, strong community and locally focussed leagues. There is a lot of great football people North and South.


    Talk of a United Ireland is just a wedge that would divide the football fans on the island.
    "Niche" in a way that the game in the North is mostly supported by the Unionist Community? Don't kid yourself into believing it's any other way.

  4. #764
    First Team
    Joined
    Apr 2007
    Posts
    2,072
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    37
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    373
    Thanked in
    229 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by Kiki Balboa View Post
    The football culture is the same both sides of the border really. Both niche, strong community and locally focussed leagues. There is a lot of great football people North and South.


    Talk of a United Ireland is just a wedge that would divide the football fans on the island.
    Ffs "talk: of a united Ireland isn't a "wedge", it is a legitimate aspiration backed by internationally recognised treaty. Do you really believe that not talking about a united ireland makes it any less real an issue.? Is talking about a British identity any less of wedge?
    Of course not, both valid,both legitimate both meriting parity of esteem The unionists I know and socialise with through family connection in the north have more respect for you if you are honest about your views

    As stated by TT above, association football at senior level in the north is disproportionately the interest of a niche of the unionist community, even in places like Newry and Dungannon.There are few other areas of finding common interest with that community other than through football ( maybe motorsport being the other one).
    So at a human level a cross border league/ competition would add to a bit of better mutual understanding, irrespective of the inevitable constitutional settlement.

  5. #765
    International Prospect sadloserkid's Avatar
    Joined
    Jul 2002
    Location
    Cork
    Posts
    6,049
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    1,071
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    501
    Thanked in
    295 Posts
    Trying to dismiss the significance of politics, identity and all that goes with it to both sides of the community up there so that our pretty terrible football league might become a bit less terrible is actually quite low.

  6. #766
    First Team Mr_Parker's Avatar
    Joined
    May 2005
    Location
    At the home of Irish Football
    Posts
    1,163
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    61
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    150
    Thanked in
    103 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin View Post
    Yeah I would have thought a UI and the all-Ireland league are mutually exclusive. Although, to be fair, Nutsy is probably part of why Linfield are so keen on it. And Cliftonville, unless I'm mistaken, were the most reluctant despite being nominally the nationalist club.
    You are mistaken. Cliftonville have never offered a position regarding an AIL, nor is the club a nationalist one.

  7. #767
    Banned. Children Banned. Grandchildren Banned. 3 Months. Charlie Darwin's Avatar
    Joined
    Jan 2010
    Posts
    18,577
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    3,890
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    5,310
    Thanked in
    3,368 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by Mr_Parker View Post
    You are mistaken. Cliftonville have never offered a position regarding an AIL, nor is the club a nationalist one.
    I said nominally for a reason.

    And Gerard Lawlor has offered a position that the AIL is unrealistic, which seems fairly official.

  8. #768
    Seasoned Pro
    Joined
    Feb 2016
    Posts
    2,564
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    707
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    633
    Thanked in
    408 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by Mr_Parker View Post
    You are mistaken. Cliftonville have never offered a position regarding an AIL, nor is the club a nationalist one.
    You're breakdancing on the head of a pin there Mr P. Your fans booed and jeered their way through God Save the Queen the last time you played a Cup Final. And your players bowed their heads in protest too. We can argue the toss over whether the club is nationalist or not. But that event shows that is isn't either unionist or non-aligned either. Cliftonvile's support comes from a staunchly nationalist background. The tricolour can be seen on display by your fans at most games. And when I went I made it up to one of your recent European games, the fans sang a song a number of times which had a line about the IRA in it.

    You're not a nationalist club in the same way that Linfield isn't a unionist one.

  9. #769
    Reserves Kiki Balboa's Avatar
    Joined
    Dec 2011
    Location
    In the shadow realm
    Posts
    557
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    15
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    107
    Thanked in
    71 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by Dalymountrower View Post
    Ffs "talk: of a united Ireland isn't a "wedge", it is a legitimate aspiration backed by internationally recognised treaty. Do you really believe that not talking about a united ireland makes it any less real an issue.? Is talking about a British identity any less of wedge?
    Of course not, both valid,both legitimate both meriting parity of esteem The unionists I know and socialise with through family connection in the north have more respect for you if you are honest about your views

    As stated by TT above, association football at senior level in the north is disproportionately the interest of a niche of the unionist community, even in places like Newry and Dungannon.There are few other areas of finding common interest with that community other than through football ( maybe motorsport being the other one).
    So at a human level a cross border league/ competition would add to a bit of better mutual understanding, irrespective of the inevitable constitutional settlement.
    Its 100 percent a wedge issue in the context of an All-Ireland football league. If you want an All-Ireland league, talk of an United Ireland will just make most of the football fanbase up North go against it.

  10. Thanks From:


  11. #770
    Seasoned Pro
    Joined
    Feb 2016
    Posts
    2,564
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    707
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    633
    Thanked in
    408 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by EalingGreen View Post
    There doesn't have to be a United Ireland for there to be an All-Ireland League.

    But the more people drag this sort of s h i t e up in the context of an AIL, the further we move away from it, rather than closer.

    P.S. The biggest proponents of an AIL in NI are Linfield - think on that.
    Of course there doesn't need to be a UI to have an AIL. But Kiki Balboa said in Post 749 that UEFA was possibly the only route that would ever deliver a unified league on the island. I merely pointed out that political unification would do that too, and is looking increasingly likely at the moment. Which are statements of the obvious really. There's no way the island would be unified politically and still decide to run 2 separate leagues.

    As you would know better than any of us EG, politics seeps into everything in the north. It would be extremely naïve to think that people up there haven't already considered what the perceived political implications of an AIL could be from their point of view. So this is no doubt all already priced in to people's views about an AIL in the north. And even if it wasn't - it would be fanciful to think that foot.ie was so influential that a few gobsh'ites like us discussing the obvious connection between political and footballing unification would see the whole AIL project scuppered.

  12. #771
    Seasoned Pro EalingGreen's Avatar
    Joined
    Aug 2006
    Posts
    3,094
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    112
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    280
    Thanked in
    214 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by Kiki Balboa View Post
    The football culture is the same both sides of the border really. Both niche, strong community and locally focussed leagues. There is a lot of great football people North and South.


    Talk of a United Ireland is just a wedge that would divide the football fans on the island.
    Spot on!

  13. #772
    Seasoned Pro EalingGreen's Avatar
    Joined
    Aug 2006
    Posts
    3,094
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    112
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    280
    Thanked in
    214 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by ToberonaTornado View Post
    "Niche" in a way that the game in the North is mostly supported by the Unionist Community? Don't kid yourself into believing it's any other way.
    Rugby in NI is almost exclusively the preserve of the Unionist community.

    Doesn't stop them trooping off to the AVIVA, Soldiers Song, Tricolour and all.

    Just because you may be unable to separate Sport and Politics, it doesn't mean everyone else is stuck with the same mindset. (Or do I mean "set mind"?)

  14. #773
    Seasoned Pro EalingGreen's Avatar
    Joined
    Aug 2006
    Posts
    3,094
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    112
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    280
    Thanked in
    214 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin View Post
    Yeah I would have thought a UI and the all-Ireland league are mutually exclusive. Although, to be fair, Nutsy is probably part of why Linfield are so keen on it.
    Fenlon is very popular at Linfield, no doubt, but he wouldn't have a great deal of influence over something like that, certainly not the final word.

    As a Members-owned club, Linfield are very sensitive to the feelings of their fans, meaning the Board would not be pushing for an AIL were it unpopular with them.

  15. #774
    Seasoned Pro EalingGreen's Avatar
    Joined
    Aug 2006
    Posts
    3,094
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    112
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    280
    Thanked in
    214 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by Dalymountrower View Post
    Ffs "talk: of a united Ireland isn't a "wedge", it is a legitimate aspiration backed by internationally recognised treaty. Do you really believe that not talking about a united ireland makes it any less real an issue.? Is talking about a British identity any less of wedge?
    Of course not, both valid,both legitimate both meriting parity of esteem The unionists I know and socialise with through family connection in the north have more respect for you if you are honest about your views
    The more you bring (your) politics into football, the more you antagonise people who may hold a different view.

    Quote Originally Posted by Dalymountrower View Post
    As stated by TT above, association football at senior level in the north is disproportionately the interest of a niche of the unionist community, even in places like Newry and Dungannon.There are few other areas of finding common interest with that community other than through football ( maybe motorsport being the other one).
    So at a human level a cross border league/ competition would add to a bit of better mutual understanding, irrespective of the inevitable constitutional settlement.
    A common interest in football is not the same as a common interest in politics. In fact, the two are usually mutually antagonistic.

  16. #775
    Seasoned Pro
    Joined
    Feb 2016
    Posts
    2,564
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    707
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    633
    Thanked in
    408 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by EalingGreen View Post
    Fenlon is very popular at Linfield, no doubt, but he wouldn't have a great deal of influence over something like that, certainly not the final word.

    As a Members-owned club, Linfield are very sensitive to the feelings of their fans, meaning the Board would not be pushing for an AIL were it unpopular with them.
    Have Linfield done anything to garner the view of their fans on it though ? It's not unusual for boardrooms and fanbases to not be on the same page.

  17. #776
    Seasoned Pro EalingGreen's Avatar
    Joined
    Aug 2006
    Posts
    3,094
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    112
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    280
    Thanked in
    214 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by EatYerGreens View Post
    As you would know better than any of us EG, politics seeps into everything in the north. It would be extremely naïve to think that people up there haven't already considered what the perceived political implications of an AIL could be from their point of view. So this is no doubt all already priced in to people's views about an AIL in the north.
    People in NI have the ability to "park" their politics when it is advisable/necessary to do so, most notably eg in a mixed workplace.

    It also includes considering the merits/demerits of an AIL.

    Quote Originally Posted by EatYerGreens View Post
    And even if it wasn't - it would be fanciful to think that foot.ie was so influential that a few gobsh'ites like us discussing the obvious connection between political and footballing unification would see the whole AIL project scuppered.
    What makes you think other posters on this site are interested in your politics?

    Why are you so determined to bring them up on this thread?

  18. #777
    Seasoned Pro EalingGreen's Avatar
    Joined
    Aug 2006
    Posts
    3,094
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    112
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    280
    Thanked in
    214 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by EatYerGreens View Post
    Have Linfield done anything to garner the view of their fans on it though ? It's not unusual for boardrooms and fanbases to not be on the same page.
    Jeez, I feel unclean speaking up for that lot(!), but I am quite sure that the Board wouildn't proceed with somewthing so potentially (stress) sensitive if they thought it would be unpopular.

    Remember, they have plenty of previous experience on this front with the Unite the Union Champions Cup and the Setanta, and before that the Tyler Cup and Blaxnit Cup, the last two of which were staged when things were far more tense politically than now.

    Remember, they don't just consider themselves the biggest club in NI, but the biggest club in Ireland, full-stop.

    More importantly, if there's money to be had from it...

  19. #778
    First Team
    Joined
    Apr 2007
    Posts
    2,072
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    37
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    373
    Thanked in
    229 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by EalingGreen View Post
    The more you bring (your) politics into football, the more you antagonise people who may hold a different view.

    I made clearly separate points about politics ( the unstoppable momentum towards a new constitutional settlement), and football ( the desirability of a cross border competition which would be good for football and have the added value of hopefully improving relationships between niche groups who normally don`t meet together ). Both those points may or not meet in a venn diagram.


    A common interest in football is not the same as a common interest in politics. In fact, the two are usually mutually antagonistic.
    Of course not, an AIL or cross border competition should be about as politically charged as football clubs with a big PUL supporting brexit loving support base striving for european qualification: prize money for the club, good away trips for the fans.

    A common interest in being good neighbours with a common interest in football and respecting and recognising the validity of the others identity ( political and/or cultural) is a by product of sporting links, and if a a cross border competition results in getting some southerners to actually visit the north for something other than shopping and the Titanic, all the better.

  20. #779
    First Team
    Joined
    Mar 2008
    Posts
    1,050
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    45
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    199
    Thanked in
    131 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by EatYerGreens View Post
    Constantly amazed by how people think a few thousand knuckle-draggers are going to stop the tide of history and the inevitable march of demographic and political change.

    Mayhem? A few dozen kids kicking off in an isolated handful of places for a few nights. Hardly the return of 1972.

    Every time loyalists protest and riot about something it involves less people, lasts shorter, and has less impact than the time before. That is demonstrably true. There is an inevitability around change in the north now post-Brexit, and recent polls show that the majority of people north and south think that too.
    Yeah? They had little concern to riot about recently, but they still caused trouble - and yes, there weren't many of them. The announcement of a British withdrawal would mean trouble on an infinitely greater scale. I think if the majority in the north vote for a United Ireland, then a United Ireland there should be. However, many Unionists won't go quietly into a United Ireland. (After all, Republicans/Sinn Fein/The IRA never accepted the legitimacy of the Unionist Majority). There will be a bloody conflict and anyone who thinks otherwise is naive in the extreme.

  21. #780
    Seasoned Pro
    Joined
    Feb 2016
    Posts
    2,564
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    707
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    633
    Thanked in
    408 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by EalingGreen View Post
    What makes you think other posters on this site are interested in your politics?

    Why are you so determined to bring them up on this thread?
    It's not about my politics to state that :

    1) UEFA isn't the only way that a single league on the island would be possible.

    2) That political unification would obviously also lead to football joining together.

    3) That polls suggest that the majority of people north and south think that political unification will happen within the next generation (and thereby football unification too).

    The above are statements of facts, not politics. If you're not happy with them, you're barking at the moon. Have a go at your fellow kinsfolk in the north for daring to have a view you disagree with.

Page 39 of 43 FirstFirst ... 293738394041 ... LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. League of Ireland Condolences Thread
    By Mr A in forum Premier & First Divisions
    Replies: 301
    Last Post: 12/11/2023, 10:57 PM
  2. League of Ireland +2.5 goals thread
    By Real ale Madrid in forum Off Topic
    Replies: 51
    Last Post: 20/10/2015, 8:44 PM
  3. League of Ireland Finance Thread
    By Umberside in forum Premier & First Divisions
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 29/08/2009, 10:50 AM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •