the right to play for Ireland.

Pigman

Roy Keanes comments of "You're not even Irish" to Mick McCarthy made me question that even though we as fans seem to ignore and laugh-off the presence of many non-Irish players in the squad that the players themselves seemed to have a made a clear delination when it comes to the matter.

So I wanted to know where you all as fans stand on the matter when it comes to who gets to wear the green of Ireland and represent the country.

Here's some of the categories of player that come to mind....

For example I think we can all agree that Clinton Morrison (to use the term applied to a lot of Jack Charltons players) is a "mercenary" who only plays for Ireland because he knows he'll further his career by getting his face on the world stage.

Another example is Stephen Reid who has been been welcomed into the squad but has played for England at underage level (or so I've been told)

Another kind of player is, for example, John Sheridan who was born outside this county (and probably had the talent to get capped by England) but always seemed intent on being an Irish player (he played for Ireland in under 21, under 23 , b-matchs and other non senior sides).

So basically I want to know where would you draw the line when it comes to our beloved international team?

TwoShedsJackson

You forgot an option for the way it is at the moment: players can play for a team at youth and up to under-21 level, but once they have a senior cap, that's it.

Andy O'Brien also played for England Under-21s and then played for Ireland, most likely when he realised he would never get a place in the England squad. Same thing with Robbie Earle, he was eligibile for England and eventually declared for Jamaica when he was like 30 or something :rolleyes: see also: Vinnie Jones.

The population of our country is such that the amount of footballers able to play at that level is going to be limited - I have to agree that the whole Morrison thing seemed a tad unseemly at the time, but we're not exactly awash in strikers who actually score regularly, so we need to make do. As I mentioned above, the precise same thing happened with Andy O'Brien, although less fuss was made of that, possible because he's a defender?

It should remain as it currently is, I think.

Lei Xiejiang

How about having Irish ancestory: Great-Gran-Uncle, Cousin, Granmother....? That's how most "Irish" players got in.

Ownership or Residence in Ireland?

Irish Citizenship..

Originally posted by Lei Xiejiang
Fenian Fools

Pigman you're a disgrace!
You remind me of those sad getto African-Americans that call each other "Nigg$er$"

YOU are Not fit to call yourself a Dubliner nor Irish.

See happy Premiership is over.

Lei Xiejiang

Where would I draw the line, how about making a better Poll, with more options

suppafly

Originally posted by Lei Xiejiang
Where would I draw the line, how about making a better Poll, with more options

yeah the poll needs more options.

I think i would draw the line at that your parents have to be irish, maybe irish gran parents. But i would think mostly your parents should have to be irish.

Pigman

I think you're all missing the point of this poll. I'm NOT looking for a debate on whether a player should get in through the "granny rule" or not. I am asking you should a player (who is qualified under the current rules) still be allowed to play for Ireland AFTER they have already clearly pledged their allegiance elsewhere by the fact of playing for another county?


TwoShedsJackson: your comment of "You forgot an option for the way it is at the moment: players can play for a team at youth and up to under-21 level, but once they have a senior cap, that's it. " is covered under the option 3 "or Take anybody we can get regardless of where they\'re from or who they\'ve played for in the past." Besides your comment isn't actually correct because one can play a friendly match at senior level and still be available for selection by another country. It's only when you play a competitive game for a country that you are stuck with them.

Lei Xiejiang : your comment of "How about having Irish ancestory: Great-Gran-Uncle, Cousin, Granmother....? That's how most "Irish" players got in." is not relevant to the poll in the first place as I have explained earlier. Also I don't see what the comment from the other thread has to do with this. There is a difference between being patriotic and being a xenophobic fool, its just a pity you can't see the difference.

Suppafly : your comment of "I think i would draw the line at that your parents have to be irish, maybe irish gran parents. But i would think mostly your parents should have to be irish." comes under the same thing as Lei.

Sand

I reckon we have to be practical. Clinton Morrison will never be popular with Irish fans, most he can hope for is respect, because everyone knows that hell be kissing his green shirt only until Sven rings up and say "Clinton, England needs you" - his cue for "to hell with you drunken paddies, Im off to play for a real team". Nevertheless hes a better striker than Quinn and thus we need him - Hes an arsehole but if he scores goals Irish fans will stomach him.

Reminds me of an article in a paper (Irish Times?) that accused Souness of being an anti-Irish bigot given his team selections and transfer moves - a lot of Irish players under his control seemed to get the cold shoulder. Think it was a journalist (Mike Walker? ) who wrote a counter piece later on attempting to refute the allegation - he made the interesting point that the day Ireland fielded an all "true Irish" eleven that it would be made a big deal of. Hes probably right. Probably one of the reasons that the Irish team is Englands second team is that half of them are born in England, raised in England, playing in England etc etc. That grates for some people, keano included maybe?

Bard

Your poll was quite clearly open to interpretation and with the title "the right to play for Ireland", it IS a lot broader than your allotted answers suggest... so saying that these people's comments are "irrelevant", is arrogant on your part, to be honest.

To qualify to play for Ireland, in my opinion, at least one of the players parents should be eligible for (but not necessarily currently availing of) Irish citizenship.

mike65

I reckon its simple enough, you should have either been born here or become naturalised.

I don't think you should be allowed to swap once you've played
for a country whatever the level (except schoolboy, when you're still young enough to be unsure of your true self!)

Mike.

I've got no life!, I've got no life!