Time for All Ireland Soccer Team

manonthemoon · 13-03-2002 12:16pm #1

Time for an All-Ireland football team. It is a national scandal (both North and South) that football is the only sport (as far as i know)where the country is divided.

Even Rugby, which is by far a protestant game in the north can have an all-ireland team.

In times when such hated enemies as Sinn Fein, Dup are coming together and at least trying to work together, surely the idiots of the FAI and the IFA can get together.

Its only a game of ball

Dustaz · 13-03-2002 12:57pm

Do you really want that element of Windsor Park crowd in lansdowne road?

frankly · 13-03-2002 1:03pm

I agree 100% even in these times when ROI are so much stronger then the North in football terms and I can't see to many of them getting into the side. Maybe Lennon? I can remember the times of Jennings, McElroy, Best, Martin O'Neill and I wanted an All Ireland Team. But as you say it's only a game and surely it's time for change?

Xterminator · 13-03-2002 1:29pm

I agree.
I think that we would stand a better chance of ever winning a major competition if we were united. We would have a better depth of squad then.

Also if we managed o unify the domestic leagues, we could probably build a higher standard of 1st division football, fully professional etc. Better facilities would follow for these clubs, and the entire game would benift. Also the play on offer would be of a higher more consistant standard.
I mean playing in a dynamic all ireland league, with european nights etc would beat the hell out of young Irish lads leaving there familys behind to play lower division football or reserve football in the UK. They could hold onto the young talented lads until they were ready for the top flight.

X

frankly · 13-03-2002 1:54pm

Originally posted by Dustaz Do you really want that element of Windsor Park crowd in lansdowne road?

No, not the sectaraism element but genuine football fans would be most welcome & you never know we might even open their eyes that we down south are not the "monsters" that some imagine we are?

woosaysdan · 13-03-2002 2:02pm

ah sure it won't work
1. there would be a big row over who would manage the team
2. who playing for n.ire would we want in da republic??? Neil Lennon maybe!!!
3. what stadium would we play in both Landsdowne road & windsor park are ****holes!!!
4. we dont want their fans!!!
5. the national anthem. which one???
6. what about the jersey!!!

manonthemoon · 13-03-2002 3:39pm

woosaysdan,

Do you remenber, the Berlin Wall. When that came down the had to combine the two germanys, and what do ye know the manage to combine the two teams. Absolutely amazing!

1. there would be a big row over who would manage the team

Same as any other team, the board/commitee/ suits picks one

2. who playing for n.ire would we want in da republic??? Neil Lennon maybe!!!

If there is only one team EVERYONE would want to play for them

3. what stadium would we play in both Landsdowne road & windsor park are ****holes!!!

England are playing there internationals all over England. Maybe we could SHARE

4. we dont want their fans!!!

For WE, I think you me I. Speak for yourself

5. the national anthem. which one???

Who cares! Most of the republic lads dont know it anyway

6. what about the jersey!!!

How about a GREEN Jersey

By the way has anyone ever heard of offical responses on why the FAI amd IFA cant get a team together?

Has anyone ever asked them?

Maybe we could start a petition.

Anyone any thoughts?

C'mon Ireland

Rolo Tomasi · 13-03-2002 3:52pm

Originally posted by manonthemoon
woosaysdan,

Do you remenber, the Berlin Wall. When that came down the had to combine the two germanys, and what do ye know the manage to combine the two teams. Absolutely amazing!

Yeah but that was re-uniting a whole country, a soccer team is a small after thought. The question here is an all-Ireland soccer team while the political divide remains.

I don't think one of the current NI squad would make the first team.

manonthemoon · 13-03-2002 4:38pm

Whether any of the NI team would make the RoI squad is irrelevant. It could be argued that the opposite was the case when NI got to the World Cup. If the senior team was united then all Irish teams(Underage/ ladies etc.)

But my point was that if such enemies such as the Dup, SinnFein, Sdlp etc. can work together, then surely then IFA and FAI can at least TRY and do something positive

manonthemoon · 13-03-2002 4:41pm

Does anyone know the FAI and IFA stance on this issue

Bottle_of_Smoke · 13-03-2002 11:06pm

There's also that guy who played for Man United, don't remember his name, young dude, he's already got a few caps for N.Ireland (possibly a few goals)

On a whole I would reckon we'd have a better chance of success united, also a better chance at hosting a joint major event.

Also if we managed o unify the domestic leagues, we could probably build a higher standard of 1st division football, fully professional etc. Better facilities would follow for these clubs, and the entire game would benift. Also the play on offer would be of a higher more consistant standard.

Nah,
good idea in theory but you've obviously never met the Linfield fans...

daytrader · 14-03-2002 12:05am

Can't see it happening.....its easier for rugby etc as these never split and their support is very different from soccer.

Even trimble and many unionist come to Dublin to watch Rugby matches.

Worth having a look at why The fai and the ifa split.

www.fai.ie
http://www.ourweecountry.co.uk/

these two websites had two great accounts about it but they both seem to be on Holidays.

woosaysdan · 14-03-2002 11:03am

Germany was totally different!!! They were united were not!!! Theres too many differences especially between catholics & protestants!!!

umdie · 14-03-2002 11:04am

Originally posted by manonthemoon
woosaysdan,

Do you remenber, the Berlin Wall. When that came down the had to combine the two germanys, and what do ye know the manage to combine the two teams. Absolutely amazing!

1. there would be a big row over who would manage the team

Same as any other team, the board/commitee/ suits picks one

2. who playing for n.ire would we want in da republic??? Neil Lennon maybe!!!

If there is only one team EVERYONE would want to play for them

3. what stadium would we play in both Landsdowne road & windsor park are ****holes!!!

England are playing there internationals all over England. Maybe we could SHARE

4. we dont want their fans!!!

For WE, I think you me I. Speak for yourself

5. the national anthem. which one???

Who cares! Most of the republic lads dont know it anyway

6. what about the jersey!!!

How about a GREEN Jersey

By the way has anyone ever heard of offical responses on why the FAI amd IFA cant get a team together?

Has anyone ever asked them?

Maybe we could start a petition.

Anyone any thoughts?

C'mon Ireland

The only player of real quality from the east germans was Sammer and he is retired now.So stick that up your arse!!!

manonthemoon · 14-03-2002 12:17pm

woosaysdan,

Are Protestants technically better players than catholics?
Are Catholics more suited to the stangard 4-4-2 formation than protestants who prefer to use wingbacks in a diamond formation?

What are you on about? What has religion got to do with football?

You know what going by some of the comments here, maybe David Trimble has a point

woosaysdan · 14-03-2002 5:17pm

the religion of the players has nothing to do with
what i said!!! i'm just saying that with the differences between protestants and catholics in general that an all ireland soccer team wouldn't work.

tHE vAGGABOND · 14-03-2002 6:09pm

soccer is a prod game up north..

I cant see them ever voting to get rid of themselves and thier association, end of story

PiE · 14-03-2002 6:41pm

Er... AFAIK if any of them wanted to play for the Republic, they have the choice don't they? They have the right to play for England, Northern Ireland or Ireland.

If thats the case, obviously they don't want to.

mike65 · 14-03-2002 10:56pm

This is dumb idea, I mean who from Norn Iron who get on the team, Lennon maybe Gilispie if he's' still playing (I know nothing of the NI team). The fan base issue is important since the game up there seems to be supported alone mainly sectarian lines.
Anyway an all Ireland team would mean no chance to beat them!

Mike.

Bottle_of_Smoke · 14-03-2002 11:16pm

Originally posted by manonthemoon
woosaysdan,

Are Protestants technically better players than catholics?
Are Catholics more suited to the stangard 4-4-2 formation than protestants who prefer to use wingbacks in a diamond formation?

What are you on about? What has religion got to do with football?

You know what going by some of the comments here, maybe David Trimble has a point

Well the Protestants would be better defenders(red hand...), however both team have a range of finishers. I'd say the situation might break down if the Catholic players had to walk through the protestant changing areas however

WhiteWashMan · 14-03-2002 11:34pm

is there any decent players in the north?

NeRb666 · 15-03-2002 1:01am

No.

manonthemoon · 15-03-2002 11:20am

There have been some real beauties on this thread!

"Soccer is a Prod Game" said one. Oh yeah and the catholics only like hurling, sod cutting, irish dancing, portar drinking and inbreeding

The funny thing is when people talk of two communities working together we hear that things can be achieved, but when someone talks about football game, "Oh no , we cant do that, Its impossible"

Let me guess, like most 'real' Irish supporters I'll bet you all support Celtic.

"If you support Ireland , you should support Celtic, because they are Irish". (Waht about Hibs, Pnathanikos, even Notre Dame, because they are all as Irish as Celtic)

Sing the rebel songs about !916, Beat the huns, yeah, and sing about the IRA and how we will someday have a united Ireland"

"Play football with the huns?"
"No way!"But I'll shout for Celtic.

Bah, Hypocrites

Finally, if i can be permitted to Blaspheme

F*** Celtic and all its racist Supporters

tHE vAGGABOND · 15-03-2002 12:36pm

thats what were after, rational debate

irelandforever · 15-03-2002 1:24pm

Apart from Lennon no other N. Ireland player would get into the Republic team.

tHE vAGGABOND · 15-03-2002 1:37pm

there was grief a few years back about the republic stealing all the young players when they are 15..

They might not have any great players now, but I would not mind Pat Jennings or George Best in Micks team

Waylander · 15-03-2002 3:24pm

I think it would benefit Ireland dramatically. Kieth Gillespie would definitely push Triger & Gary Kelly hard for a place on the right. Likewise with Neil Lennon pushing Mat Holland & Mark Kinsella. Finally David Healy ( Formerly Man Utd, Now Preston ) already has a couple of international goals to his name with only six or seven caps. Including him would allow the manager to free up Duff gor the left wing. We would now have a midfield of Gillespie, Keane, Lennon, Duff. Not bad if you ask me with two from Keane, Healy, Quinn, Saddlier or Doherty ( an ideal replacement for Quinn ) up front. Thankfully we could then permanently show David Connolly & Mark Kennedy the door.

tHE vAGGABOND · 15-03-2002 3:27pm

Doherty is an even bigger donkey than Quinn

Waylander · 15-03-2002 3:32pm

He fits the bill for a target man and a little man which if Robbie Keane is on the pitch is probably a good way to go. Look at what the "Donkey" has achieved at Sunderland with Kevin Phillips over the last four or five seasons, apart from this one.

frankly · 15-03-2002 4:16pm

I'm with manonthemoon on this one. Because the North don't have any players except Lennon good enough to play for the ROI should'nt be an excuse for not having an All Ireland Team. I'm old enough to remember Best, Jennings, Derek Doogan, McElroy, Martin O'Neill who all would have got onto an All Ireland team of the time. But now because the ROI are better and we don't need them? But not only can/will times change, we just should be UNITED

WhiteWashMan · 15-03-2002 5:09pm

Originally posted by tHE vAGGABOND

They might not have any great players now, but I would not mind Pat Jennings or George Best in Micks team

theyre a bit old to play for ireland.

KdjaCL · 15-03-2002 5:56pm

It shouldnt happen like that an all ireland team but an all ireland league would be sweet but reasons it wont happen
1.Safety of fans neither police could gaurantee that. ie: Rovers vs Linfield in Windsor park .a game i would love to see but will never happen .
2 irish teams and bags of money dont go together there is millions to be made on an all ireland league .but noone has the balls to go for it .
And in reference to germany doing it with their national teams West germans hate East germans and always will something to do with a 10% tax they had to pay to help the East economy grow.
To make an all ireland team there would have to be a league with money being made by clubs which in turn pays for better standards ,better players blah blah blah .
I would love to see it but it never gonna happen.
kdja

Bottle_of_Smoke · 15-03-2002 7:35pm

"If you support Ireland , you should support Celtic, because they are Irish". (Waht about Hibs, Pnathanikos, even Notre Dame, because they are all as Irish as Celtic)

True but I'd go so far to say Rangers are just as Irish as Celtic.

I'd love to see Shels(or any other EL team) get Celtic in Europe, main song for the night to be sang to the "away" support - "your Brits and you know you are". (nothing against any British person but I doubt the Celtic fans are gonna see it that way!)

I've seen morons with "Eire 32" on Celtic Jerseys, don't they see the ****ing irony here?

Why not support Levaidia Maardu? They wear green, no-one pronounces their name properly and they're not Irish

tv-a-holic · 15-03-2002 7:48pm

I think that there should be a united soccer team cos religion has nothing to do in playing soccer and if the I.R.A. and the D.U.P. 2 organasations that were fighting 4 30 years about something that they really believed in could work together then so can these stupid ******* democrates. They can get off theyre arses and try and work together to join 1 soccer team. If the rugby can do it then so can the soccer

KdjaCL · 20-03-2002 3:22am

ahamah
St pats got Celtic in europe before in 98
And the Pats players were booed by the "celtic "fans in tolka park and not the scottish celtic fans it was the Irish celtic fans booing Colin Hawkins and Martin Russell.
Being an a St pats fan all my life ,i was shocked as the reception the Pats players got feom irish ppl .Over in Glasgow and in Ireland the Scottish fans were amazing i have never seen anything like it . But to be booed by your own countrymen.
I wondered who was supposed to be at home .
BTW Celtic won 2-0 on agg after a fantastic best day of my life 0-0 over there .

Kdja

Time for All Ireland Soccer Team

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