Granny Rule candidates

**Tenderloins** · 17/01/2006, 1:10 PM

Staunton mentioned using the Granny Rule.
Note this thread isn't about the merits of Granny Rule players!!

Who are the new possible additions?
We know about Trundle who has expressed an interest in playing for Irelnad. Ditto Liam Lawrence with his Irish passport.
Dave Kitson of Reading and Gary McSheffrey of Coventry are supposedly two others.
Then there is the Kevin Nolan who looks now that even if he wanted to, couldn't play for us.

Any others out there?
Is Luke Rogers of Crewe (ex Shrewsbury) qualified?
David Nugent of Preston
Kevin Gallen of QPR
Is Leon Best of Southampton still Irish?
Gavin Mahon and Anthony McNamee of Watford
Rory Fallon of Swindon?

**Stuttgart88** · 17/01/2006, 1:13 PM

You seem to have the list well covered!

**OwlsFan** · 17/01/2006, 1:20 PM

Nugent has played U21 for England. I don't think that disqualifies any more or does it ?

**Tenderloins** · 17/01/2006, 1:22 PM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

You seem to have the list well covered!

Its more that aside from those we know about from the press there must be others.
For instance every time I see Rory Fallons name, I cant but wonder does he qualify? Rory Prendergast of Blackpool is another name that jumps out!

**Dublin12** · 17/01/2006, 1:24 PM

Anyone know of any Americans that could play for us?.

**sligoman** · 17/01/2006, 1:24 PM

Originally Posted by OwlsFan

Nugent has played U21 for England. I don't think that disqualifies any more or does it ?

It does I think. Isn't that why Nolan can no longer play for us? FIFA had an amnesty on it for a while but that expired at the end of last year afaik.

**gustavo** · 17/01/2006, 1:28 PM

are any of these lads with exception of trundle lawrence and kitson better or as good as what we have already?

**Jerry The Saint** · 17/01/2006, 1:40 PM

They seem to be clutching at straws with this one - it's not as if Kerr introduced some sort of "pure-blood" selection policy. After all he gave "granny-rule" debuts to Macken and McGeady. Given the amount of players Kerr watched personally or had watched, any potential candidate will already have been identified by the FAI (barring those who have come through in the last few months...). There is a valid case that some candidates would be more persuaded to play for Ireland now because of the Robson influence.

I don't like the way Staunton referred to players qualifiying in this manner as the "granny-rule" either (nitpicking I know). It's one thing for fans/press to use this term but, for the manager of Ireland, it just doesn't sound professional and feeds into the whole stereotype of hunting out anyone with a tenuous link to Ireland who won't get onto any other national team.

**Stuttgart88** · 17/01/2006, 1:42 PM

Originally Posted by gustavo

are any of these lads with exception of trundle lawrence and kitson better or as good as what we have already?

The 3 you mentioned are the ones I'd be most interested in following up. There may be others at underage level worth pursuing.

**SaucyJack** · 17/01/2006, 1:44 PM

pretty sure Rory Fallon has already played for New Zealand.

**pete** · 17/01/2006, 1:47 PM

This is just standard press conference guff as hes just basically saying hes 100% committted to success.

I find the granny rule search embarishing & even speaking to foreigners at work here makes us a laughing stock especially to be so public about. FFS its noit as if any of those listed are great players who can't get into squad of a big Nation.

**Dublin12** · 17/01/2006, 1:51 PM

Originally Posted by pete

I find the granny rule search embarishing

Are you Sean Connery

**Green Tribe** · 17/01/2006, 2:39 PM

Originally Posted by Dublin12

Are you Sean Connery

heh heh

yeah, start scouting the yanks!

**The Stars** · 17/01/2006, 2:58 PM

if you weren't born in Ireland or Grew up here I dont think you should be considered for International call up.
What have we got to lose by playing Eircom League players (who grow up dreaming of playing for their country).It cant be worse than Kerrs policy of playing English players with some Irish conections.

**Noelys Guitar** · 17/01/2006, 3:02 PM

Ronnie O'Brien should be given a look (as Staunton mentioned). He is one of the best players in the MLS and has been picked to play for their rep teams in games against REal Madrid and others. I don't think the US will provide us with too may players and the MLS is still crapl Dave Kitson and Liam Lawerence (who has an Irish passport already) are others worth involving. Remember that Houghton, Aldridge and Cascarino improved beyond recognition after they became international players.

**NeilMcD** · 17/01/2006, 3:10 PM

Originally Posted by The Stars

if you weren't born in Ireland or Grew up here I dont think you should be considered for International call up.
What have we got to lose by playing Eircom League players (who grow up dreaming of playing for their country).It cant be worse than Kerrs policy of playing English players with some Irish conections.

Do you not think this is a bit of a snub to the many Irish fans who post on this board and go to all the matches home and away. I would think that they find this sort of post pretty offensive.

**tetsujin1979** · 17/01/2006, 3:13 PM

Luke Rogers was scouted before to play for the U-21's while he was at Shrewsbury. However he did play for a non-league England representative side and said something along the lines of "it's a great honour to represent my country" so he's obviously not interested in playing for Ireland.

**FarBeag** · 17/01/2006, 3:22 PM

Originally Posted by The Stars

if you weren't born in Ireland or Grew up here I dont think you should be considered for International call up.
What have we got to lose by playing Eircom League players (who grow up dreaming of playing for their country).It cant be worse than Kerrs policy of playing English players with some Irish conections.

Please tell me that you are just joking.Surly you cant be serious with an outrageous statement like this..You will upset alot of folk on here with a remark like this and quite rightly so.

**Green Tribe** · 17/01/2006, 3:30 PM

Originally Posted by The Stars

if you weren't born in Ireland or Grew up here I dont think you should be considered for International call up.
What have we got to lose by playing Eircom League players (who grow up dreaming of playing for their country).It cant be worse than Kerrs policy of playing English players with some Irish conections.

Open, can of worms
Holy Jaysus!
Come on, it is not fair to be saying that, what if you or some of your family moved to Uk USA etc had a child born there who wanted to play for Ireland and was talented enough, would you still say that, huh? wise up.