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Stephen ireland withdraws from squad

2456

Comments

  • Closed Accounts Posts: 41,926 ✭✭✭✭_blank_


    He has to play and train if City tell him to, they pay his wages.

    The Irish team already know what he can do, so here is a chance for him to have a break from everything for a week or ten days.

    And this bullshít about not believing him about the miscarriage. I've heard some cold hearted things in my time, but that is horrible.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,894 ✭✭✭Nunu


    Mr Alan wrote:
    Nunu: how can you guaruntee me 100% that she was pregnant, do you know her? If you do, i will take your word for it, and take back my above comments, but i won't apologise for making them, boyed who cried wolf and all that, he lied to everyone involved twice, i see no reason to believe the third reason when the first 2 were lies.

    And i would still think he is bang out of order after playing for City for the last few weeks and then saying his head isnt in the right place to play for Ireland.

    rebel: I would imagine it would be very difficult to find out if she was pregnant or not, unless her doctor would talk, which they obviously wouldnt.

    No, I do not know her. I would rather not elaborate on my knowledge and to be honest feel quite uneasy even mentioning it, but all I will say is that I knew she was pregnant weeks before the announcement of a miscarriage.
    Please don't ask anymore on the matter. This is the last time I will refer to it.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,303 ✭✭✭✭event


    Mr Alan wrote:
    Fact is, from wat was on his Bebo, he is more than likely just taking the break to laze around and play Pro-Evolution, the bloke has himself said he does not like playing football.

    Hence why i made my original comment.

    ah here, if you are going to believe everything that people put on their bebo pages, ireland is full of amazingly sexy women who will do anything in bed.

    perhaps he was lying, perhaps he was talking ****e, perhaps he was joking on his bebo pages. i dont use one, but im led to believe that people arent always truthful on them


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 34,404 ✭✭✭✭~Rebel~


    Mr Alan wrote:

    rebel: I would imagine it would be very difficult to find out if she was pregnant or not, unless her doctor would talk, which they obviously wouldnt.

    As a rule, its generally very common knowledge when someone is pregnant. With someone famous like Ireland, i would be surprised if it wasn't reported in some way in the City newsletters or or the website. Id imagine Staunton would know she was expectng. Id imagine a lot of the team would know. All their friends would know. All his teammates at city would know. Sven would know (lets not forget it was Manchester City who first questioned the second lie).

    Again, i would be absolutely astonished if the rags didnt look into this. It would have been a killer story for them. Theres not a hope in hell they'd have just let it go without questioning everyone they could, and finding that she was pregnant.

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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29,372 ✭✭✭✭Mr Alan


    true enough, unfortunately though, for a professional athlete to write something like that, even if a joke is a disgrace, and nothing he hass done since screams dedication or an attitude anything near what it should be.

    Des, i understand my opinions seem cold hearted, unfortunately though, i am just being honest, and if i remember correctly, quite a few people at the time shared my beliefs

    rebel; the impression i got was that she was only gone a few weeks, in which case people are advised not to tell anyone until 12 weeks have passed because miscarraiges are so common during that initial period.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 41,926 ✭✭✭✭_blank_


    Mr Alan wrote:
    true enough, unfortunately though, for a professional athlete to write something like that, even if a joke is a disgrace, and nothing he hass done since screams dedication or an attitude anything near what it should be.
    So? He's a god-damned idiot. Doesn't mean he doesn't have feelings.
    Mr Alan wrote:
    Des, i understand my opinions seem cold hearted, unfortunately though, i am just being honest, and if i remember correctly, quite a few people at the time shared my beliefs
    Look.

    "My granny died" is an excuse most people use to get out of work, my jaysis, I've had more dead grannies than hot dinners over the years.

    "My girlfriend lost a child" is not something many people will say off the cuff, so I doubt Stephen Ireland would have the brains to make it up.

    Mr Alan wrote:
    rebel; the impression i got was that she was only gone a few weeks, in which case people are advised not to tell anyone until 12 weeks have passed because miscarraiges are so common during that initial period.
    Yes, but people don't always take advice given by doctors.

    Maybe the girlfriend told her "bezzie mate" and swore her to secrecy, next thing it was probably all over Manchester.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 34,404 ✭✭✭✭~Rebel~


    Mr Alan wrote:
    rebel; the impression i got was that she was only gone a few weeks, in which case people are advised not to tell anyone until 12 weeks have passed because miscarraiges are so common during that initial period.

    I dunno, i really think you're pushing it with this one. I still think its far more likely that they would have found some evidence that a misscarriage occured to have let it go, beit seeing a family in mourning or a funeral service for the unborn child. I really think something like that, a lie that big, would be incredibly hard/impossible to cover up while the media spotlight shines on you itching for a story like this. The way the media danced over their so-called "GrannyGate", it would take a lot of staging and lying from everyone, and I just dont buy it.

    The more logical answer, is that she simply had a miscarriage, they greived with their families and that was it.

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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,267 ✭✭✭Exit


    DesF wrote:
    He has to play and train if City tell him to, they pay his wages.

    I'm not getting on his case or anything, because I don't know what happens in his personal life no more than anyone else here, but surely that bit above isn't true.

    Surely he could ask for a couple weeks off to deal with his tragedy? It's not like City are gonna say "No! You have to play for us or we're firing you!"

    Did he take a few weeks off, or did he play all of City's games since then? Genuine question.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 38,227 ✭✭✭✭Guy:Incognito


    county wrote:
    my guess is he`s on about J carragher


    Completely different situation though.
    DesF wrote:
    Tell you what, when your girlfriend has a fúcking miscarriage, you tell me you are of sound mind, and could actually give a fúck what people think about you at the time, ok?
    .


    Mine had one a few years back. I went to her boss and my own, explained the situation and organised the relevant leave, no fuss, no lies and all sorted very quickly. Situations go bad when people do stupid things.

    Again before things got to this stage, why did he not talk to Staunton before squads are name or evn after the last game and let it be known he doesnt want to be consodered for a while. He seems to go about things in a way that ensures the maximum amount of trouble is caused.

    Has he played for City since the last Ireland game?
    ntlbell wrote:
    but he doesn't have to leave his girl friend alone for days with city.
    .

    Thats not why he says he doesnt want to play for Ireland though.

    shane86 wrote:
    Ah well, cmon the Scots :D Tight run between them, France and Italy but Id like to see them through.


    It's a pity but I just can't see past anything but Scotland arseing it up against one of the small teams. They'd probably be grand if they could just play France and Italy, but like N.Ireland they seems to feck it away at the smaller teams.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29,372 ✭✭✭✭Mr Alan


    DesF wrote:
    So? He's a god-damned idiot. Doesn't mean he doesn't have feelings.


    Look.

    "My granny died" is an excuse most people use to get out of work, my jaysis, I've had more dead grannies than hot dinners over the years.

    "My girlfriend lost a child" is not something many people will say off the cuff, so I doubt Stephen Ireland would have the brains to make it up.



    Yes, but people don't always take advice given by doctors.

    Maybe the girlfriend told her "bezzie mate" and swore her to secrecy, next thing it was probably all over Manchester.

    I honestly wasn't aware, my granny died was an excuse most people would use?! i certainly never would, and you called me coldhearted?!

    His girlfriend having a miscarraige wasn't something he said off the cuff, it was something he said after he was caught out in two lies, out of desperation to get himself out of a hole he dig for himself imo.

    At best (working on the basis his girlfriend had a miscarraige) the guy is an idiot, with an awful attitude, who lies to his management team . . . have to admit i find it very strange that me saying he is a disgrace has recieved such a bad reaction on here.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,617 ✭✭✭✭PHB


    Jesus christ like, if she had a miscarraige, what you are suggesting is just utterly utterly utterly horrrible. If she didn't, then she's obviously also in a very very bad state emotionally and perhaps you should show some sympathy there. ****ing hell like, it's an international against Germany when we've no chance of qualifying, and doesn't matter a damm. What's important? Your job or your wife's emotional health. I'm pretty sure I know what most people on here would pick, infact I'd say most people in the world with any sense would pick.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29,372 ✭✭✭✭Mr Alan


    PHB wrote:
    doesn't matter a damm.

    These games are of massive importance to us PHB


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 16,658 ✭✭✭✭Peyton Manning


    county wrote:
    is he also taking a break from his duties at man city?

    He gets paid to play for city, its completely different situation...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29,372 ✭✭✭✭Mr Alan


    PHB wrote:
    What's important? Your job or your wife's emotional health.

    The fact that he has not taken any break from playing for City would suggest that his gf has not needed his constant companionship. Surely if she did he would have taken a short leave from City, no one there would have be-grudged him that. So the sudden need for him to have time away from football coincides nicely with an international break where he may not be too well recieved.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,287 ✭✭✭✭ntlbell


    Mr Alan wrote:
    These games are of massive importance to us PHB

    there's more important games in the dodder tbh


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,287 ✭✭✭✭ntlbell


    Mr Alan wrote:
    The fact that he has not taken any break from playing for City would suggest that his gf has not needed his constant companionship. Surely if she did he would have taken a short leave from City, no one there would have be-grudged him that.

    Can you not read? he doesn't have to leave her playing for city do you understand the difference?

    play fore ireland - leave girl friend go away with lads for a few nonsense games.


    city - train and go home to girl friend....see?

    city pays for the roof over his head the food in his mouth bread on table/ ireland does fu*k all

    spec savers? 2 for 1?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,985 ✭✭✭✭zAbbo


    from the guff on his public bebo page, granny-gate, regarded as being a bit thick by his peers, and his general scumbaggish undertones (well he is from Cobh), It wouldn't surprise me if the miscarriage thing is all a hoax as well.

    But who knows? I think he's got issues, and if the Irish team wasn't piss poor and out of the running for qualification I don't think he'd be making himself unavailable for selection.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,617 ✭✭✭✭PHB


    Well, let me explain some simple things for ya Mr. Alan:

    He lives in Manchester, as does his wife. The game is in Ireland. Playing for City means ya know, you can spend most of your time at home.

    This game means absolutely nothing. If I hadn't already booked flights I wouldn't be coming home for it. Actually, this game is possibly the least important game Ireland have played in a long time.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,267 ✭✭✭Exit


    Well if that's the reason, how come he hasn't just come out and said that?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,617 ✭✭✭✭PHB


    Why the **** would he have to explain himself to you? He told the FAI, that's all he has to do. He has no obligation to tell you anything about his life.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29,372 ✭✭✭✭Mr Alan


    An away game for City would involve him being away from her for a few days, as well as all day everyday for training.

    Does where we finish in the group not factor in how we are seeded for the next WC qualifying campaign?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,287 ✭✭✭✭ntlbell


    Exit wrote:
    Well if that's the reason, how come he hasn't just come out and said that?

    in not so many words, he did.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 1,520 ✭✭✭Daemonic


    Mr Alan wrote:
    The fact that he has not taken any break from playing for City would suggest that his gf has not needed his constant companionship. Surely if she did he would have taken a short leave from City, no one there would have be-grudged him that. So the sudden need for him to have time away from football coincides nicely with an international break where he may not be too well recieved.
    Playing for City would entail at most an overnight seperation and I'm sure City would be alright with him travelling to games on the day of the match in the circumstances. The International week is exactly that, a full week away with the team. Very different situations.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,617 ✭✭✭✭PHB


    Yeh, cause we're gona win this game :rolleyes:

    Going away for a few days vs. coming home to Ireland for about a week, there's a difference. Also since the last international break City have been away from home once. Oh yeh, and in that game, Ireland played awful. I wonder was something else on his mind.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,287 ✭✭✭✭ntlbell


    Mr Alan wrote:
    An away game for City would involve him being away from her for a few days, as well as all day everyday for training.

    eh? lol how long do you think they spend training every day?

    An away game would usually involve him being away for a few hours.

    anyway as has been stated all ready which you seem to keep ignoring, and loooking more a a gobsheen each time, CITY PAY HIS WAGES, HIS MORTGAGE HIS FOOD ETC ETC

    hello??


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29,372 ✭✭✭✭Mr Alan


    I'm sorry folks that my opinions are annoying ya, but i just dont buy it as a valid excuse a month later is all.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 34,404 ✭✭✭✭~Rebel~


    zabbo: look on the previous page for my many reasons why it probably wasnt a hoax. As well as Nunu's mysterious comment.

    PHB: they're not the least important games ever. If we dont get 3rd spot, we're absolutely fked for the WorldCup Qualifiers. The comment on him playing for city is fair though. Just had a look at their fixtures, and since the last international break they've only played ONE away fixture, which was an evening kick off in London, so very easy to get to a from (prob all in one day, flight down in morningand back after the match).

    I still think the main reason at this point that he isn't coming however, is that he's not ready for the flak/abuse he'll receive. He doesnt seem to have the strongest mentality (im taking this purely from how he plays on the pitch, not really screaming for the ball, going missing etc) so maybe he feels he'll be too conscious when in the green jersey and not able to perform.

    I think its a bad idea (unless his girlfriend really does need him by her side at all times, but it would have been a much better statement if they'd just said that so i dont think so. He didnt say "i feel i need to stay with my family", he said "i dont think i can do myself or country justice"), and will only make it tougher when he does. Better to just get back on the horse and get it over with, as Sven and Stan have both encouraged him to do.

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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 15,552 ✭✭✭✭GuanYin


    Ermmm, have the people who are suggesting Ireland is lazy and useless forgetting the goals he's scored of late?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29,372 ✭✭✭✭Mr Alan


    PHB wrote:
    Yeh, cause we're gona win this game :rolleyes:

    if our finishing position in this group is of relevence to our seeding for the WC qualifiers,We'd have a better chance of winning with him playing, thats for sure. which in turn would make it considerably easier for us to qualify for the next WC. This is a game two minutes ago you said had zero relevence.

    I aint ignoring anything btw, City paying his wages is of no relevence imo, if he needed a week of because she had a miscarraige, they would give it to him.

    Ya think if he took a weeks leave without pay he all of a sudden wouldnt be able to pay his mortgage? (seriously doubt he has a mortgage) Do you have any idea how much these people earn?


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,267 ✭✭✭Exit


    PHB wrote:
    Why the **** would he have to explain himself to you? He told the FAI, that's all he has to do. He has no obligation to tell you anything about his life.

    Who said anything about telling me?

    There are many people wondering what his reasons are for withdrawing from the squad. If he had said that he doesn't want to leave his girlfriend home for a long time, most people would have just accepted that.

    Instead, he said his head isn't in the game. I think it's fair for people to wonder about what exactly that means given that he didn't stop playing football in the time since the last Ireland game.

    I don't have strong opinions either way about it. I'm just saying that if he withdrew because of the reasons you gave, then it would have been better for the fella to have given those reasons to the FAI. Then we wouldn't all be questioning it in this thread.


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