The Celtic Cup? Are you in favour

[T Fearon]

This is a proposed new international soccer tournament, either biannually or annually, comprising of Ireland, Wales, Scotland,and the side which represents 6 county unionists, and possibly England. I see Alex Ferguson isn't mad about it but he would welcome the return of the annual England Scotland fixture. Could see it working on a triangular basis, England, Scotland and Ireland as a meeting between any of those two would draw a big crowd, but I would exclude Wales and the 6 County Unionist side, neither of whom have any crowd appeal whatsover in terms  of Ireland, Scotland and England fans.

What do you think?

[ziggysego]

If England's involved, it's not a Celtic Cup.

That aside, yes it would be interesting.

[lynchbhoy]

If England's involved, it's not a Celtic Cup.

That aside, yes it would be interesting.

we are not british, but we are groupled in along with the 'british isles' incorrectly

so grouping England in with the rest of these (useless) western european islands soccer teams to play a competition woul dbe interesting and decent practice for them all - esp as none are playing any games next summer !

[TacadoirArdMhacha]

The clubs arent going to be too happy but since we usually play 2 meaningless firendlies in June which are blighted by play pull outs, 2 decently competitive games against local rivals cant do any harm

[Solomon Kane]

Could see it working on a triangular basis, England, Scotland and Ireland as a meeting between any of those two would draw a big crowd, but I would exclude Wales and the 6 County Unionist side, neither of whom have any crowd appeal whatsover in terms  of Ireland, Scotland and England fans.

What do you think?

A strange ill informed comment as both old Trafford and The Millenium Stadium were completely sold out for the last two visits of Northern Ireland. Can you remind me of the attendance at the Millenium Stadium last week when the 26 county splinter group were there last week?

The competition is a poor idea in my opinion. I would much rather see top European sides with differing styles of football come to Belfast, although out of the four Scotland may well be a juicy encounter as they do play above their game. The whole exercise smacks of a waste of time.

[T Fearon]

AgreedSolomon. The 6 County Unionist side drew the smallest attendance in international soccer history, as fasr as Lansdowne Road is concerned, at the Omagh tribute game in 1999 and the occasion was further defaced by the sectarian behaviour of 6 county fans.
Nip this one in the bud now.

[Solomon Kane]

AgreedSolomon. The 6 County Unionist side drew the smallest attendance in international soccer history, as fasr as Lansdowne Road is concerned, at the Omagh tribute game in 1999 and the occasion was further defaced by the sectarian behaviour of 6 county fans.
Nip this one in the bud now.

The low attendance was due to the fact that the splinter group's fans would rather watch two Brit teams from Glasgow rather than their own national side. Any true fan of their national team would be at the stadium, regardless of the opposition. And as for your groundless accusations, despite the poor turn-out from the home fans it was a great occasion and an even better result!  

[inisceithleann]

I think it's an absolute waste of time. The clubs will never agree to it and as far as the potential of the North playing Ireland at Croker goes, that's not what we opened our stadium to other sports for IMO

[Evil Genius]

I think it's an absolute waste of time. The clubs will never agree to it and as far as the potential of the North playing Ireland at Croker goes, that's not what we opened our stadium to other sports for IMO

Are you saying that you might be prepared to permit the England soccer team, for instance, to play at Croke, but not a team of your fellow Irishmen? Even one including a GAA player like Chris Baird? Or a fellow Fermanaghman of yours like Kyle Lafferty? 

Strange, considering Linfield, the owners of NI's home ground (Windsor Park) had no problem inviting their local Camogie team to use the facilities, gratis, when they were in need of somewhere at short notice.

[inisceithleann]

I have no problem with those fellas playing with the North, good luck to them, I played against Kyle when I was younger and he has done Fermanagh proud making it as a professional. However that potential match would do little more than confirm partition and for an All-Ireland association that's very difficult to accept. I have no problem with opening Croker and allowing England to play there, they are a foreign team and they were playing in an International fixture. Seeing the North and Ireland play in an 'International' match is simply going one step too far if it were to happen and a lot of peers would feel the same.

[stiffler]

Im not in favour of giving this competition a permanent place on the international calender, but think it may be a good idea to hold a one one tournament next summer in lieu of the European championships.

[Tonto]

I have to admit, there would be something very, very satisfying about belting out the national anthem in Croke Park.

But I'd much rather the British Championship was brought back.

[stiffler]

Tonto, just for you:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=v7phMAwCbfY

[GalwayBayBoy]

I have to admit, there would be something very, very satisfying about belting out the national anthem in Croke Park.

It didn't do the last crowd much good.

[magickingdom]

I think it's an absolute waste of time. The clubs will never agree to it and as far as the potential of the North playing Ireland at Croker goes, that's not what we opened our stadium to other sports for IMO

Are you saying that you might be prepared to permit the England soccer team, for instance, to play at Croke, but not a team of your fellow Irishmen? Even one including a GAA player like Chris Baird? Or a fellow Fermanaghman of yours like Kyle Lafferty? 

Strange, considering Linfield, the owners of NI's home ground (Windsor Park) had no problem inviting their local Camogie team to use the facilities, gratis, when they were in need of somewhere at short notice.

absolutely, no problem with england whatsoever....