A United Ireland. Opening up the discussion.

[seafoid]

So the football has followed the same pattern as the economy then. The North was stronger economically and football wise in 1921.

[general_lee]

Maybe 2, 3 at the most, they way behind the Republic in a financial setting with only Linfield at a low level semi professional.

Linfield are full time and pretty sure Larne are too.

[imtommygunn]

I do think the loi teams are not as good as European results suggest. The timing of their season has a massive impact with teams they are playing not being much more than pre season.

That being said I don't think too many from up here would make it.

[An Watcher]

It was a brave step from the LoI a few years ago to switch to summer football.  Other improvements include Friday night football.  All very progressive.  Unfortunately the IL were slower to adapt due to their TRADITIONAL time slot of Saturday football.
The benefit for Europe was obvious and irrespective of when their league starts they still get the same prize money as those who start the league later.  Prize money that can then be fed into different football structures. 
Fair play to them. 
If you sit down and watch LoI teams playing in Europe it is no l9nger hit n hoof.  Proper passing football.  IL a fair bit behind in that regard as well

[smort]

Nicola Sturgeon to step down. Likely not good for indyref2 which would have been very interesting for things in the North of this island

[Kidder81]

Nicola Sturgeon to step down. Likely not good for indyref2 which would have been very interesting for things in the North of this island

Always thought she was very shrewd and on the ball but I'm not sure she could have handled the trans prison/self ID episodes any worse

Few questions about the husband and a £100k loan to the SNP as well, which Sturgeon said she had no knowledge of 

[Armagh18]

Nicola Sturgeon to step down. Likely not good for indyref2 which would have been very interesting for things in the North of this island

why is she stepping down? She's come out with some mad policies lately! Is this a protest at the Brits blocking another indyref?

[smort]

Not sure, press conference at 11

[Rossfan]

I hope the pro Independence movement won't splinter into infighting groups.

[imtommygunn]

Now is the perfect time for it too. The most corrupt UK government you'd ever see and the Brexit shambles. Wonder what is going on there.

[weareros]

Independence vote was starting to drop in polls. The Scots are a ropey lot when independence vote drops over gender. Despite all the tartan army and sending proud Edwards army homewards "ta think agin", they are more orange than Gael. Had a great leader in Sturgeon and turned against her.

[seafoid]

Nicola Sturgeon to step down. Likely not good for indyref2 which would have been very interesting for things in the North of this island

why is she stepping down? She's come out with some mad policies lately! Is this a protest at the Brits blocking another indyref?

Probably the same as the ex  NZ PM. She wants a life.
Anyway Scottish independence is more or less secured

[LC]

Nicola Sturgeon to step down. Likely not good for indyref2 which would have been very interesting for things in the North of this island

Politicians in the north will always talk about the border poll as that is what their supporters want to hear.  However politicians here are lot of things but they are not stupid as they even know that Dail Eireann would not have room for them all and all of the hangers on that come with them.  The turkeys will never vote for Christmas instead they will continue to stay on the gravy train that is Stormont.

[Sportacus]

The News Letter have just called Nicola Sturgeon "the Scottish separatist leader".  What hope is there?

[JPGJOHNNYG]

I see Jon Tonge has produced another survey that is just pure bollocks. Unfortunately these polls and surveys will be taken seriously and will influence  a future SoS on the need for a referendum or not. The guy has a responsibility to actually produce serious surveys and polls that are reflective of the population and not the toilet paper ones he keeps coming up with. The link will show parties disliked by the non nationalist/ unionist voters. This can be proved to be absolute nonsense by actually looking at transfers of these voters in ACTUAL elections.
https://m.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/politics/majority-of-middle-ground-say-ni-should-remain-as-an-integral-part-of-the-uk-poll/903311698.html