Four Nations 2007

I don't hold the view we're too good to play these sides and personally I love the idea of inter league games but the dates don't suit us (and its not really inter league anyway). If it was an end of season thing for us I'm sure we'd put out a decent team. The whole amatuer/professional thing is a red herring too and most players in the first division here receive some sort of pay.

You say it should be for the highest level, I'm asking why you think that, and do you not think it would advance the players more if they were all u21?

Originally Posted by Steve Bruce

It's like asking the French league to represent Spain. Silly suggestion.

We could replace the LOI but not represent them.

Represent Northern Ireland then. As I said that wasn't the point, the point was an Irish League select would bring a lot more to the tournament than the side that the Republic put out.

Originally Posted by Dodge

I don't hold the view we're too good to play these sides and personally I love the idea of inter league games but the dates don't suit us (and its not really inter league anyway). If it was an end of season thing for us I'm sure we'd put out a decent team. The whole amatuer/professional thing is a red herring too and most players in the first division here receive some sort of pay.

You say it should be for the highest level, I'm asking why you think that, and do you not think it would advance the players more if they were all u21?

I think you could have a rule where you have maybe a minimum of say three under 21s in the squad. But I think we should try and have as high a standard for this tournament as possible.

The profile of the thing needs to be raised, especially in Scotland. Attendance of 484 for the Wales game v Scotland yesterday. If it was in England or Wales it would have likely got over double that. Having better sides play would certainly improve interest.

Originally Posted by Cymro

I think you could have a rule where you have maybe a minimum of say three under 21s in the squad. But I think we should try and have as high a standard for this tournament as possible.

The profile of the thing needs to be raised, especially in Scotland. Attendance of 484 for the Wales game v Scotland yesterday. If it was in England or Wales it would have likely got over double that. Having better sides play would certainly improve interest.

I agree something should be done, and its either make it full sides (with the IL replacing us) or u21s only.

BTW ithe team representing Ireland is not from the LOI. A few years ago some "Southerners" playing in the Il competed for "Ireland"

Originally Posted by Steve Bruce

Apparently there will be some European championships or something and Northern Ireland, Scotland, England, Wales, ROI as well as Dutch, Spanish etc etc. It would be good to see the best of both leagues youngsters do well in these tournements.

Yep, more details here

Originally Posted by Dodge

I agree something should be done, and its either make it full sides (with the IL replacing us) or u21s only.

BTW ithe team representing Ireland is not from the LOI. A few years ago some "Southerners" playing in the Il competed for "Ireland"

We also had an inter-league game between Northern Irealand and the LOI In the republic somewhere. NI winning the game 1 nil.

Ah there were loads of them about 8-10 years ago. Much harder now with the different seasons

Originally Posted by Cymro

I think you could have a rule where you have maybe a minimum of say three under 21s in the squad. But I think we should try and have as high a standard for this tournament as possible.

The profile of the thing needs to be raised, especially in Scotland. Attendance of 484 for the Wales game v Scotland yesterday. If it was in England or Wales it would have likely got over double that. Having better sides play would certainly improve interest.

It was played in England last year, and the croweds were hardly much higher than the 484 figure you mentioned above (I acn't be arsed to Google for the attendances, but I went to 2 of the games and the attendnaces were hardly inspiring).

The bottom line is Dodge's question - why should we give a feck about this tournament ? It doesn't suit us timings wise, so why should we even take part if we can't do it any justice ??

Originally Posted by dcfcsteve

It was played in England last year, and the croweds were hardly much higher than the 484 figure you mentioned above (I acn't be arsed to Google for the attendances, but I went to 2 of the games and the attendnaces were hardly inspiring).

The bottom line is Dodge's question - why should we give a feck about this tournament ? It doesn't suit us timings wise, so why should we even take part if we can't do it any justice ??

To be fair, I think that is a question you need to ask the FAI as they must see a benefit for it.

Although this could be a good scouting opportunity for clubs over here and also an opportunity for our young players to be scouted in england/scotland.

But apart from that I do not see any benefit.

Originally Posted by Steve Bruce

To be fair, I think that is a question you need to ask the FAI as they must see a benefit for it.

Although this could be a good scouting opportunity for clubs over here and also an opportunity for our young players to be scouted in england/scotland.

But apart from that I do not see any benefit.

The FAI probably just saw it as an excuse for a few more trips, and a chance to hang out with their buddies in the other associations.....

Originally Posted by dcfcsteve

The FAI probably just saw it as an excuse for a few more trips, and a chance to hang out with their buddies in the other associations.....

Sounds like the IFA

Originally Posted by Steve Bruce

We also had an inter-league game between Northern Irealand and the LOI In the republic somewhere. NI winning the game 1 nil.

Played in Terryland about 6 or 7 years ago in front of about 200 people, NI won 2-0 as well if i remember correctly. The eircom league put out fairly decent sides in these little things in the past and never really lorded it over anyone so it would be interesting to see if we put out a decent premier division side now would we hammer the others.

Originally Posted by Ceirtlis

Played in Terryland about 6 or 7 years ago in front of about 200 people, NI won 2-0 as well if i remember correctly. The eircom league put out fairly decent sides in these little things in the past and never really lorded it over anyone so it would be interesting to see if we put out a decent premier division side now would we hammer the others.

Didn't you enter a senior team in the inaugural Four Nations, while you were still playing a winter season?

Originally Posted by dcfcsteve

It was played in England last year, and the croweds were hardly much higher than the 484 figure you mentioned above (I acn't be arsed to Google for the attendances, but I went to 2 of the games and the attendnaces were hardly inspiring).

The bottom line is Dodge's question - why should we give a feck about this tournament ? It doesn't suit us timings wise, so why should we even take part if we can't do it any justice ??

Can't really argue with your second point given that you play through the summer but I disagree about crowds, there was a near 3000 crowd in last year's England v Wales at Telford's ground.

Originally Posted by Ceirtlis

Played in Terryland about 6 or 7 years ago in front of about 200 people, NI won 2-0 as well if i remember correctly. The eircom league put out fairly decent sides in these little things in the past and never really lorded it over anyone so it would be interesting to see if we put out a decent premier division side now would we hammer the others.

Difference now is now the EL team would be Pro.

Both Dundalk players in the squad have played senior this season, Shane Grimes and Kevin McArdle, Mcardle is also an u-19 international and was the only homebased player in McCafferys squad that played in the Pre-Elite Phase warm ups

Originally Posted by Cymro

there was a near 3000 crowd in last year's England v Wales at Telford's ground.

England played Wales last year at Eastbourne Borough's ground !?!?

Mick Neville in today's Star seemed pretty happy with the event.