FAI...June 2024 Friendlies v Hungary and Portugal

[Milltown Row2]

So all that being said, why did Ireland have so many good teams? Players that didn't just play in division one teams but stared!!

We've had GAA for hundreds of years, but still managed to (at a time) develop a mainly home grown set of players that competed in top teams in England

The list is endless! Can't remember a the last player who actually made an impact across the water, well I can, but it's flipping years!!!

[From the Bunker]

So all that being said, why did Ireland have so many good teams? Players that didn't just play in division one teams but stared!!

We've had GAA for hundreds of years, but still managed to (at a time) develop a mainly home grown set of players that competed in top teams in England

The list is endless! Can't remember a the last player who actually made an impact across the water, well I can, but it's flipping years!!!

Probably because Irish players are not scouted here like they used to be in the past. There is a lot of luck in making it as a Top professional footballer. Ask Jamie Vardy!

[Milltown Row2]

So all that being said, why did Ireland have so many good teams? Players that didn't just play in division one teams but stared!!

We've had GAA for hundreds of years, but still managed to (at a time) develop a mainly home grown set of players that competed in top teams in England

The list is endless! Can't remember a the last player who actually made an impact across the water, well I can, but it's flipping years!!!

Probably because Irish players are not scouted here like they used to be in the past. There is a lot of luck in making it as a Top professional footballer. Ask Jamie Vardy!

Jamie Vardy is a bit like Vinnie Jones, came through  the ranks. Luck is everything but that shouldn't dampen the development, countries should be using models that bring about progression not regression.

As an example Belfast teams struggle to compete in Hurling in Antrim... been this way for as long as I can remember, the difference being committed coaches dedicated players and some luck, though if you train hard you make you're own luck.

My basic point is a lad starting up soccer in Birmingham or Limerick should be coached and developed the same, that's if you want to produce top teams, if The current FAI staff  are just paying lip service to it then it will falter..

Dublin football (GAA) is a prime example of putting the money/time/coaching behind a plan. Works

[Baile Brigín 2]

I think you just have to look at the reduction in the number of local soccer teams around the country. Kids these days are more interested in computers and have no real interest in playing soccer. I remember playing 4 games over a weekend which was ridiculous but nowadays you couldn't do that even if you wanted. The teams and leagues aren't there any more

There is also the interference of Gaelic Football. Gaelic football had a 100% stranglehold on every Parish up to 1970. Many country areas still look with disdain on Soccer. There is no real culture. Good athletes will always be pressurised to play Gaelic football. Anyway we never have 100% homegrown teams.

This is a wind up?

[Baile Brigín 2]

I think you just have to look at the reduction in the number of local soccer teams around the country. Kids these days are more interested in computers and have no real interest in playing soccer. I remember playing 4 games over a weekend which was ridiculous but nowadays you couldn't do that even if you wanted. The teams and leagues aren't there any more

The squad has players from Dublin, Cork, Wicklow, Kerry, Derry, Donegal, Galway, Waterford, Tipp and Meath.

[laoislad]

I think you just have to look at the reduction in the number of local soccer teams around the country. Kids these days are more interested in computers and have no real interest in playing soccer. I remember playing 4 games over a weekend which was ridiculous but nowadays you couldn't do that even if you wanted. The teams and leagues aren't there any more

There is also the interference of Gaelic Football. Gaelic football had a 100% stranglehold on every Parish up to 1970. Many country areas still look with disdain on Soccer. There is no real culture. Good athletes will always be pressurised to play Gaelic football. Anyway we never have 100% homegrown teams.

Have you ever heard of Hurling?

[laoislad]

For whatever reason the quality of Irish players coming through has dropped off a cliff. We regularly lined out with at least 1 European Cup winner in the side. Now we don't even have players who in their entire career have played at that level.

There was a European Cup winner on the bench the other night for Ireland.

[sid waddell]

Irish football is in a terrible place

And it's all because the great John Delaney was disgracefully forced out

Delaney was a man of integrity and vision

A world class sporting administrator who did an unbelievable amount for the game and was underpaid

He was stabbed in the back by the enemies of football

Mark Tighe and Paul Rowan are the lugenpresse

They are the virus

For shame, for shame

[Milltown Row2]

That sarcasm course you've completed lately is bearing some fruit

[seafoid]

For whatever reason the quality of Irish players coming through has dropped off a cliff. We regularly lined out with at least 1 European Cup winner in the side. Now we don't even have players who in their entire career have played at that level.

Bosman plus TV money

The source pool for the EFL is global as a result.  Success in any sport is about doing the iterations at the highest level. The BIG are usually excluded from it..

[From the Bunker]

I think you just have to look at the reduction in the number of local soccer teams around the country. Kids these days are more interested in computers and have no real interest in playing soccer. I remember playing 4 games over a weekend which was ridiculous but nowadays you couldn't do that even if you wanted. The teams and leagues aren't there any more

There is also the interference of Gaelic Football. Gaelic football had a 100% stranglehold on every Parish up to 1970. Many country areas still look with disdain on Soccer. There is no real culture. Good athletes will always be pressurised to play Gaelic football. Anyway we never have 100% homegrown teams.

Have you ever heard of Hurling?

No, I'm from Mayo! My son has a under 12 B county medal! Hurling is his 3rd game! Soccer, Football and then Hurling. Out of 18 lads in his class. 14 play Gaelic football, 16 play soccer and 1 play hurling - Him!

How many hurling clubs are there in Donegal, Mayo, Sligo, Roscommon, Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan, Monaghan, Kerry, All of the 6 in OWC and Northern Leinster.

[Baile Brigín 2]

For whatever reason the quality of Irish players coming through has dropped off a cliff. We regularly lined out with at least 1 European Cup winner in the side. Now we don't even have players who in their entire career have played at that level.

Aside from the European cup winner currently in the side you mean?

[Milltown Row2]

For whatever reason the quality of Irish players coming through has dropped off a cliff. We regularly lined out with at least 1 European Cup winner in the side. Now we don't even have players who in their entire career have played at that level.

Aside from the European cup winner currently in the side you mean?

What position did he play in during that campaign?

[Baile Brigín 2]

For whatever reason the quality of Irish players coming through has dropped off a cliff. We regularly lined out with at least 1 European Cup winner in the side. Now we don't even have players who in their entire career have played at that level.

Aside from the European cup winner currently in the side you mean?

What position did he play in during that campaign?

Reserve keeper.

I get its a pedantic point, but if people want to reminisce on when we had EC winners they shouldn't ignore the lad with an EC medal in the current setup

[Baile Brigín 2]

Reasons to be cheerful

https://twitter.com/KennysKids/status/1314604179294490624?s=19