FAI...June 2024 Friendlies v Hungary and Portugal

[michaelg]

Here's the way it looks: McClean was happy enough to turn out for the north when he'd returned from Lincoln City and was playing for Derry City. Had he been called into the senior squad at that stage, I don't doubt that he'd have taken the cap and worn it to bed. Then he starts getting noticed and there's transfer talk in the papers. He gets a big move to Sunderland and all of a sudden he starts thinking that a cap for the republic is a possibility. Why settle for NI and a football backwater when there's a chance of the Euros?

Do you accept that McClean was 'there for the taking' but instead was ignored for two years while at Derry City by the NI senior management? Cos the way I look at it, NI only wanted him once word about him making a big move last summer became apparent. He was just right to withdraw, from a team that didn't want him/notice him until he became potential premiership material.

He has to justify his sudden change of heart, so he comes out with all the sectarian bullshit. Worst of all, he calls his team mates - McCourt, McGinn, Baird, Clingan - liars. He's a dick. I quite understand why you feel such an affinity with him.

As a Northern Ireland football fan, do you honestly think those players consider GSTQ their National Anthem? Do you think they consider the defunct Ulster banner their National flag, or feel any affinity to the Union flag? Because I'd call them liars too if they said they did.

RE whether you accept his justifications for the change of heart or not; they are just as valid as the reasons people like me avoid Windsor Park completely.  It is a pity that you, other NI fans and worst of all the IFA don't see the bigger picture, that the baggage associated with the NI team is doing so much damage. So long as this situation remains the same and the empty rhetoric comes from the IFA wigs; I and many others will gladly support any player who plays underage with NI and makes the switch to the ROI for senior.

I can accept 100% that he felt pissed off at not getting a call up to the NI senior team when he was playing well for Derry, particularly when Worthington was handing out caps to a few no hopers. I can accept 100% that he liked the idea of playing football on the big stage for the republic. If he'd stuck with that line, I wouldn't have a problem with him. What I can't abide is that he feels the need to slag off his former team mates, the NI backroom people, and the NI football support in order to justify his decision. The fact that he plays the sectarian card to do so just makes him despicable in my opinion.  I also accept that GSTQ turns a lot of people off supporting NI. I think that the fact that some players and supporters from nationalist backgrounds are prepared to rise above this is to their credit - in exactly the same way that people like Rory Best, Andrew Trimble, Stephen Ferris, etc are prepared to play for Ireland, while thousands of Ulster prods go along to support them, despite the tricolours and the Soldier's Song and the presidential salutes and all that stuff. I'm not a NI fan, btw - prefer to spend my time and money in Ravenhill (and this season, also in Thomond, the Aviva and on Saturday, Twickenham  )

You should know then that there are strict protocols around anthems and flags in rugby which see no Irish NA abroad and GSTQ in Belfast and The Irish NA in Dublin. The Presidential Salute is a courtesy to the President. Ulster is also represented by the 9 County Flag being flown.

If you follow Ulster rugby, you will be aware that a lot of Ulster rugby fans feel little affinity to the 9 county yella Ulster fleg

[AZOffaly]

I've seen a lot more of that provincial flag recently michaelg. Certainly in the last few years you see it more and more. The NI flag is still the most popular alright, but there's a fair few Ulster flags. Tommy Bowe will like that

[michaelg]

I've seen a lot more of that provincial flag recently michaelg. Certainly in the last few years you see it more and more. The NI flag is still the most popular alright, but there's a fair few Ulster flags. Tommy Bowe will like that

I agree with you.  However, if you follow the endless debates on the Ulster rugby forums, the flag is not universally popular and it is a contentious issue.  Personally, I think you should be allowed to bring whatever fleg you like.

[laoislad]

How about ye keep yer Rugby chat to a Rugby thread?

[upmonaghansayswe]

Anyone see Part 1 of "Green is the Colour" tonight?. Took 15 min to warm up but enjoyed it from there on!.. Anyway, the initial F.A. in Ireland was based in Belfast in the 1880s or thereabouts.. Nearly sure one of the contributors said Cliftonville were the first club formed in the country.. Went onto say how in the early days, soccer was dominated by Presbyterian officials in the North, who wouldn't play on a Sunday and hence the Saturday afternoon tradition.. So you would think that the first club formed in Belfast would be of a Unionist tradition or at most, middle of the road!..

[Myles Na G.]

Anyone see Part 1 of "Green is the Colour" tonight?. Took 15 min to warm up but enjoyed it from there on!.. Anyway, the initial F.A. in Ireland was based in Belfast in the 1880s or thereabouts.. Nearly sure one of the contributors said Cliftonville were the first club formed in the country.. Went onto say how in the early days, soccer was dominated by Presbyterian officials in the North, who wouldn't play on a Sunday and hence the Saturday afternoon tradition.. So you would think that the first club formed in Belfast would be of a Unionist tradition or at most, middle of the road!..

Cliftonville used to be a 'unionist' club. The Cliftonville Road and surrounding area at one time was very gentrified, with big houses occupied by doctors, solicitors and business types. The facilities around that area, therefore, like the golf club and the football club would have been patronised by unionist middle class types. As late as the 1960s, there would've been a union flag flying above Solitude.

[saffron sam2]

You should know then that there are strict protocols around anthems and flags in rugby which see no Irish NA abroad and GSTQ in Belfast and The Irish NA in Dublin. The Presidential Salute is a courtesy to the President. Ulster is also represented by the 9 County Flag being flown.

Stop making things up. No such protocol exists or existed.

Wally.

[upmonaghansayswe]

Anyone see Part 1 of "Green is the Colour" tonight?. Took 15 min to warm up but enjoyed it from there on!.. Anyway, the initial F.A. in Ireland was based in Belfast in the 1880s or thereabouts.. Nearly sure one of the contributors said Cliftonville were the first club formed in the country.. Went onto say how in the early days, soccer was dominated by Presbyterian officials in the North, who wouldn't play on a Sunday and hence the Saturday afternoon tradition.. So you would think that the first club formed in Belfast would be of a Unionist tradition or at most, middle of the road!..

Cliftonville used to be a 'unionist' club. The Cliftonville Road and surrounding area at one time was very gentrified, with big houses occupied by doctors, solicitors and business types. The facilities around that area, therefore, like the golf club and the football club would have been patronised by unionist middle class types. As late as the 1960s, there would've been a union flag flying above Solitude.

And then what happened?. Did they go neutral for a while?. Hard to imagine that transition with the history associated with it.

On a separate note players are wearing black armbands for the Italy game.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-18100365

[Applesisapples]

You should know then that there are strict protocols around anthems and flags in rugby which see no Irish NA abroad and GSTQ in Belfast and The Irish NA in Dublin. The Presidential Salute is a courtesy to the President. Ulster is also represented by the 9 County Flag being flown.

Stop making things up. No such protocol exists or existed.

Wally.

You are the Wally, the whole row over the Italy match at Ravenhill was because this agreed protocol was gone back on.

[Applesisapples]

Here's the way it looks: McClean was happy enough to turn out for the north when he'd returned from Lincoln City and was playing for Derry City. Had he been called into the senior squad at that stage, I don't doubt that he'd have taken the cap and worn it to bed. Then he starts getting noticed and there's transfer talk in the papers. He gets a big move to Sunderland and all of a sudden he starts thinking that a cap for the republic is a possibility. Why settle for NI and a football backwater when there's a chance of the Euros?

Do you accept that McClean was 'there for the taking' but instead was ignored for two years while at Derry City by the NI senior management? Cos the way I look at it, NI only wanted him once word about him making a big move last summer became apparent. He was just right to withdraw, from a team that didn't want him/notice him until he became potential premiership material.

He has to justify his sudden change of heart, so he comes out with all the sectarian bullshit. Worst of all, he calls his team mates - McCourt, McGinn, Baird, Clingan - liars. He's a dick. I quite understand why you feel such an affinity with him.

As a Northern Ireland football fan, do you honestly think those players consider GSTQ their National Anthem? Do you think they consider the defunct Ulster banner their National flag, or feel any affinity to the Union flag? Because I'd call them liars too if they said they did.

RE whether you accept his justifications for the change of heart or not; they are just as valid as the reasons people like me avoid Windsor Park completely.  It is a pity that you, other NI fans and worst of all the IFA don't see the bigger picture, that the baggage associated with the NI team is doing so much damage. So long as this situation remains the same and the empty rhetoric comes from the IFA wigs; I and many others will gladly support any player who plays underage with NI and makes the switch to the ROI for senior.

I can accept 100% that he felt pissed off at not getting a call up to the NI senior team when he was playing well for Derry, particularly when Worthington was handing out caps to a few no hopers. I can accept 100% that he liked the idea of playing football on the big stage for the republic. If he'd stuck with that line, I wouldn't have a problem with him. What I can't abide is that he feels the need to slag off his former team mates, the NI backroom people, and the NI football support in order to justify his decision. The fact that he plays the sectarian card to do so just makes him despicable in my opinion.  I also accept that GSTQ turns a lot of people off supporting NI. I think that the fact that some players and supporters from nationalist backgrounds are prepared to rise above this is to their credit - in exactly the same way that people like Rory Best, Andrew Trimble, Stephen Ferris, etc are prepared to play for Ireland, while thousands of Ulster prods go along to support them, despite the tricolours and the Soldier's Song and the presidential salutes and all that stuff. I'm not a NI fan, btw - prefer to spend my time and money in Ravenhill (and this season, also in Thomond, the Aviva and on Saturday, Twickenham  )

You should know then that there are strict protocols around anthems and flags in rugby which see no Irish NA abroad and GSTQ in Belfast and The Irish NA in Dublin. The Presidential Salute is a courtesy to the President. Ulster is also represented by the 9 County Flag being flown.

If you follow Ulster rugby, you will be aware that a lot of Ulster rugby fans feel little affinity to the 9 county yella Ulster fleg

And a lot do, especially nationalist supporters, the Yellow backgrounded Ulster flag at least has official status and is used not only in Rugby but also in Hockey and some other sports organised on an all island basis. It represents all the 9 Counties and as someone pointed out Tommy Bowe of Monaghan was and will be a fans favourite. There are a lot more Ulster Rugby flags than either Ulster Flag which in my opinion is good and something you tend to see in both Leinster and Munster.

[saffron sam2]

You should know then that there are strict protocols around anthems and flags in rugby which see no Irish NA abroad and GSTQ in Belfast and The Irish NA in Dublin. The Presidential Salute is a courtesy to the President. Ulster is also represented by the 9 County Flag being flown.

Stop making things up. No such protocol exists or existed.

Wally.

You are the Wally, the whole row over the Italy match at Ravenhill was because this agreed protocol was gone back on.

The whole row at the Italy match was because people like you made up some nonsense about an agreed protocol.

Where is the evidence of this protocol?
Stop making things up.

When you get a chance, you could read this link.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/feb/27/comment.gdnsport3

The only (unwritten) protocol that seems to have been broken was staging the game at Ravenhill in the first place.

[Olaf]

You should know then that there are strict protocols around anthems and flags in rugby which see no Irish NA abroad and GSTQ in Belfast and The Irish NA in Dublin. The Presidential Salute is a courtesy to the President. Ulster is also represented by the 9 County Flag being flown.

Stop making things up. No such protocol exists or existed.

Wally.

You are the Wally, the whole row over the Italy match at Ravenhill was because this agreed protocol was gone back on.

The whole row at the Italy match was because people like you made up some nonsense about an agreed protocol.

Where is the evidence of this protocol?
Stop making things up.

When you get a chance, you could read this link.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/feb/27/comment.gdnsport3

The only (unwritten) protocol that seems to have been broken was staging the game at Ravenhill in the first place.

...and I thought that rugby on this island has united everybody on the island over the years

The IRFU panicked and made an insulting  mess of it.

[AQMP]

Anyone see Part 1 of "Green is the Colour" tonight?. Took 15 min to warm up but enjoyed it from there on!.. Anyway, the initial F.A. in Ireland was based in Belfast in the 1880s or thereabouts.. Nearly sure one of the contributors said Cliftonville were the first club formed in the country.. Went onto say how in the early days, soccer was dominated by Presbyterian officials in the North, who wouldn't play on a Sunday and hence the Saturday afternoon tradition.. So you would think that the first club formed in Belfast would be of a Unionist tradition or at most, middle of the road!..

Cliftonville used to be a 'unionist' club. The Cliftonville Road and surrounding area at one time was very gentrified, with big houses occupied by doctors, solicitors and business types. The facilities around that area, therefore, like the golf club and the football club would have been patronised by unionist middle class types. As late as the 1960s, there would've been a union flag flying above Solitude.

And then what happened?. Did they go neutral for a while?. Hard to imagine that transition with the history associated with it.

On a separate note players are wearing black armbands for the Italy game.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-18100365

Cliftonville remained a strictly amateur club (God bless them) up until the mid 1970s which resulted in them become whipping boys in the league from post war on.  That together with demographic changes in the sectarian map of Belfast meant that when results began to improve the nature of the "local" support had changed.

[glens abu]

Great work by Niall Murphy,the Loughinisland families and FAI in getting UEFA to allow the Irish team to wear black armbands when they play Italy.The 18th Ann of that terrible night.

[magpie seanie]

Great work by Niall Murphy,the Loughinisland families and FAI in getting UEFA to allow the Irish team to wear black armbands when they play Italy.The 18th Ann of that terrible night.

It's entirely fitting and appropriate given the circumstances. Well done to all involved.