FAI...June 2024 Friendlies v Hungary and Portugal

[Jim_Murphy_74]

I see Michael O'Neill is looking for some sort of gentleman's agreement over players not being able to declare for the republic.  I hope Martin tells him where to go

That's not what he's is looking for. He asking for be an agreement that the republicnot to pick players that have played U-21 for Northern Ireland.

Reasonable request for him to make.

/Jim

[Syferus]

I see Michael O'Neill is looking for some sort of gentleman's agreement over players not being able to declare for the republic.  I hope Martin tells him where to go

Drink does tend to affect one's cognitive functions..

No dice.

[Therealdonald]

He is smoking something funny if he thinks that's gonna happen

[An Watcher]

He's looking to put pressure on oneill to agree to that but something tells me Martin will be too smart for that carry on

[JPGJOHNNYG]

I see Michael O'Neill is looking for some sort of gentleman's agreement over players not being able to declare for the republic.  I hope Martin tells him where to go

Drink does tend to affect one's cognitive functions..

No dice.

He defo was on even more plonk than usual last night. Interesting that he is making a thing of the players religion and yet funny how he and Gerry in all their time at the IFA have done sweet fa to make it more desirable for Catholics to play for NI. I remember big Gerry's extensive research into the anthem brought the class conclusion. We probably need to change it but we won't. Anyway the whole poaching issue is tiresome, the rate the IFA are going they will end up with plenty of ex fai players scannel being the latest target.

[red hander]

He's looking to put pressure on oneill to agree to that but something tells me Martin will be too smart for that carry on

Martin O'Neill has no say in the matter. This was settled couple of years back by Fifa and no amount of whingeing by the putrid statelet will change that. Michael's obviously been on the sauce again, hope his chauffeur is a patient guy 

[michaelg]

I see Michael O'Neill is looking for some sort of gentleman's agreement over players not being able to declare for the republic.  I hope Martin tells him where to go

Drink does tend to affect one's cognitive functions..

No dice.

He defo was on even more plonk than usual last night. Interesting that he is making a thing of the players religion and yet funny how he and Gerry in all their time at the IFA have done sweet fa to make it more desirable for Catholics to play for NI. I remember big Gerry's extensive research into the anthem brought the class conclusion. We probably need to change it but we won't. Anyway the whole poaching issue is tiresome, the rate the IFA are going they will end up with plenty of ex fai players scannel being the latest target.

Interesting because it's true.  I am fully aware of the current situation as to who can play for the ROI, but can you not see how only approaching catholics from NI could be perceived as a sectarian approach?

[Jim_Murphy_74]

In fairness any lad that needs to be 20+ or signed for a big English club before realizing that he is actually Irish rather than Northern Irish is either a tad confused or a mercenary ****.  Probably the latter.  Once out of the youth system you are a man. If you play for the "Black North"at U-21 then you have made your bed.

/Jim.

[Jim_Murphy_74]

I see Michael O'Neill is looking for some sort of gentleman's agreement over players not being able to declare for the republic.  I hope Martin tells him where to go

Drink does tend to affect one's cognitive functions..

No dice.

He defo was on even more plonk than usual last night. Interesting that he is making a thing of the players religion and yet funny how he and Gerry in all their time at the IFA have done sweet fa to make it more desirable for Catholics to play for NI. I remember big Gerry's extensive research into the anthem brought the class conclusion. We probably need to change it but we won't. Anyway the whole poaching issue is tiresome, the rate the IFA are going they will end up with plenty of ex fai players scannel being the latest target.

Interesting because it's true.  I am fully aware of the current situation as to who can play for the ROI, but can you not see how only approaching catholics from NI could be perceived as a sectarian approach?

Yes. It's logical why they do it, but it is by definition sectarian.

/Jim

[Syferus]

In fairness any lad that needs to be 20+ or signed for a big English club before realizing that he is actually Irish rather than Northern Irish is either a tad confused or a mercenary ****.  Probably the latter.  Once out of the youth system you are a man. If you play for the "Black North"at U-21 then you have made your bed.

/Jim.

What the heck is with this /Jim stuff?

Use a signature!

[michaelg]

I see Michael O'Neill is looking for some sort of gentleman's agreement over players not being able to declare for the republic.  I hope Martin tells him where to go

Drink does tend to affect one's cognitive functions..

No dice.

He defo was on even more plonk than usual last night. Interesting that he is making a thing of the players religion and yet funny how he and Gerry in all their time at the IFA have done sweet fa to make it more desirable for Catholics to play for NI. I remember big Gerry's extensive research into the anthem brought the class conclusion. We probably need to change it but we won't. Anyway the whole poaching issue is tiresome, the rate the IFA are going they will end up with plenty of ex fai players scannel being the latest target.

Interesting because it's true.  I am fully aware of the current situation as to who can play for the ROI, but can you not see how only approaching catholics from NI could be perceived as a sectarian approach?

Yes. It's logical why they do it, but it is by definition sectarian.

/Jim

Yet it's the IFA who are acccused of being the sectarian association.  The IFA are in a no win situation really.

[Applesisapples]

I see Michael O'Neill is looking for some sort of gentleman's agreement over players not being able to declare for the republic.  I hope Martin tells him where to go

Drink does tend to affect one's cognitive functions..

No dice.

He defo was on even more plonk than usual last night. Interesting that he is making a thing of the players religion and yet funny how he and Gerry in all their time at the IFA have done sweet fa to make it more desirable for Catholics to play for NI. I remember big Gerry's extensive research into the anthem brought the class conclusion. We probably need to change it but we won't. Anyway the whole poaching issue is tiresome, the rate the IFA are going they will end up with plenty of ex fai players scannel being the latest target.

Interesting because it's true.  I am fully aware of the current situation as to who can play for the ROI, but can you not see how only approaching catholics from NI could be perceived as a sectarian approach?

Alan Kernaghan, was he not a Bangor Protestant? If the IFA were serious about attracting Nationalists they would have dropped the anthem and loyalist flag years ago, but no that might lose them 90% of their loyalist base. As for the U21 nonsense as someone pointed out on twitter this would work against the IFA as in the past Darren Gibson and others chose not to play underage rather than become ineligible. If nationalists want to play for NI good luck to them but many who consider themselves Irish first and foremost should be free to choose the Republic.

[Jim_Murphy_74]

If nationalists want to play for NI good luck to them but many who consider themselves Irish first and foremost should be free to choose the Republic.

At what stage do they consider themselves Irish first and foremost.

Imagine a 21 year old doesn't feel that strongly while playing League of Ireland and plays for Northern Ireland U-21s but once gets signed for a premier league club comes to the attention of FAI?

How did his real nationality and allegiance allow him play for Northern Ireland in case the Republic don't come calling?

Michael O'Neill well within his rights to ask that Republic don't tap up anyone who had gone to that far with the other crowd.

/Jim.

[From the Bunker]

If they play for Ireland North or South - They are Irish to me! Just because two associations chose to remain apart does little or nothing to change this for me!

[tyssam5]

If nationalists want to play for NI good luck to them but many who consider themselves Irish first and foremost should be free to choose the Republic.

At what stage do they consider themselves Irish first and foremost.

Imagine a 21 year old doesn't feel that strongly while playing League of Ireland and plays for Northern Ireland U-21s but once gets signed for a premier league club comes to the attention of FAI?

How did his real nationality and allegiance allow him play for Northern Ireland in case the Republic don't come calling?

Michael O'Neill well within his rights to ask that Republic don't tap up anyone who had gone to that far with the other crowd.

/Jim.

Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ forgave the thief on the cross, surely we can forgive a U-21 game or two?