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Why do we have a soccer team?

SmartinMartin

Let's face it, we're really sh1te at it and it costs ridiculous amounts of money, so why bother?
(I feel the same about the army, but that's another thread.)

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SmartinMartin

uchimata83 wrote: »

Ok your a miserable bolicks because you value a meaningless tournament with essentially three friendlies over any success on a truly global sport. Ill stick to supporting my country and you can stick to the unionist appeasing private school club #teamofus. Deal?

Yes, you abused me, and at the same time weirdly brought in to the discussion a sport I never mentioned and a unionist private school ethos I don't subscribe to. Are you just a bit mad?

Bobblehats

raclle wrote: »

Isn't that why they brought in the Nations League?

How do ya mean

Strumms

SmartinMartin wrote: »

Let's face it, we're really sh1te at it and it costs ridiculous amounts of money, so why bother?
(I feel the same about the army, but that's another thread.)

The Army ? Why bother ? Because without it we are an island nation completely defenseless from attack. In the case of their ATCP (aid to civil power) role we’d lack that too.

Why have a football team ? Because people like the sport. Enjoy supporting and seeing their country represented on a global stage. It’s entertaining, it’s unifying, it’s fun, it’s at times hard work, disappointing but that’s sport...

Vex Willems

Why do we have a Basketball team? What have they ever won?
Why do we have a hockey team? What have they ever won?
Why do we have a cricket team? What have they ever won?
Why do we have any national team sport? Heat have they won?

Hell why does does any team, that doesn't win anything bother?

Or maybe you don't understand what sport is? Ya maybe that's it!

Bobblehats

That’s right anyone can just take something and kick it around. Could be an old cabbage; another inmate’s head it doesn’t matter if it rolls it’s a goal. The impulse to partake in the beautiful game will always win out

SmartinMartin

Omackeral wrote: »

It's the most popular and wide spread game in the world and its for everyone. That's the beauty of it. People from favellas to suburbs to cities to forests to deserts play it.

How is it for everyone?

Mysterypunter

So Denmark can qualify for major tournaments

Arghus

SmartinMartin wrote: »

How is it for everyone?

All you need is a ball.

Bobblehats

sugarman wrote: »

They get another chance via a Playoff spot guaranteed by the Nation's League regardless of where they finish in qualifying.

As do we.

But there’s always been playoffs. Is just now it’s complicated

SmartinMartin

Arghus wrote: »

All you need is a ball.

Are you missing some?

[Deleted User]

SmartinMartin wrote: »

How is it for everyone?

How is it not?

All you need is a ball and a bit of space. Jumpers for goalposts, ever hear of that expression? Kids in barrios can play it and many of them have nothing. College students play it. Over 35's play it in leagues. Work mates play it for bonding. Even boards.ie has had teams (I've played for them!). Astros, streets, indoor or on a green field. It's for everyone.

SmartinMartin

Many, many people don't like it, so how is it for everyone?

Say Your Number

The Euro's is crap now, goes on too long now, with too many rubbish teams, that and the World Cup have been ruined, couldn't those idiots just leave it alone.

Oberkon

What a Horrible troll thread to start , a compete can of worms , will be full of Rugby, Gaa is better blah blah blah

Jesus if you’re Irish , support your national team , don’t bash it no matter what sport they play

We are a small country and football (soccer) isn’t our national sport . We do ok considering . We can do better for sure at times

Unfortunately we don’t have Duffs , Keanes , McGrath’s , Brady’s etc . The players are not what we had in the past.

Mick Took on a poisoned chalice . It will come good again in a few years I’ve no doubt . Hopefully Kenny will inherit a new breed that come through

Kermit.de.frog

Rugby is better.

Arghus

SmartinMartin wrote: »

Are you missing some?

All you ned is one.

Even a few socks rolled into a vaguely circular object.

I must say that's the weakest comeback in boards history.

Kermit.de.frog

Who is our Johnny Sexton in the soccer ball?

Anyone?

iebamm2580

Rugby the game for guys who hadn't the skill to play proper sports.

Arghus

Kermit.de.frog wrote: »

Rugby is better.

Sure, look, that's your opinion, but being pretty handy in a sport that's played seriously by less than eight/nine nations - and that's being generous - in the world doesn't really amount to a whole hill of beans if you're asking me.

SmartinMartin

Oberkon wrote: »

What a Horrible troll thread to start , a compete can of worms , will be full of Rugby, Gaa is better blah blah blah

Jesus if you’re Irish , support your national team , don’t bash it no matter what sport they play

We are a small country and football (soccer) isn’t our national sport . We do ok considering . We can do better for sure at times

Unfortunately we don’t have Duffs , Keanes , McGrath’s , Brady’s etc . The players are not what we had in the past.

Mick Took on a poisoned chalice . It will come good again in a few years I’ve no doubt . Hopefully Kenny will inherit a new breed that come through

Why is it "a horrible thread to start"? It's a genuine question. We are really REALLY ****e at soccer and I don't understand why so much money is thrown at it in this country, hence the original question.

Donnielighto

uchimata83 wrote: »

I thought I'd answered it, but then you accused me of abusing you?

If you mean "Why do we have a soccer team"
Arguably the third most popular sport in Ireland behind Gaelic football and hurling.
The most popular sport in the world, with the highest participation numbers by miles.
Significantly lower risk of serious injury than other field sports.
It's a good way to socialise and stay fit.
Almost no barriers to entry

I suspect you knew all the above but work away, I've entertained you enough

Just on the injury stuff, soccer is awful on the knees, rugby is more tissue injuries I think.

SmartinMartin

Why is rugby even being mentioned here? I originally asked why we bother with a soccer team, there was no other sport mentioned.

Arghus

SmartinMartin wrote: »

Why is it "a horrible thread to start"? It's a genuine question. We are really REALLY ****e at soccer and I don't understand why so much money is thrown at it in this country, hence the original question.

How much money is thrown at it? I'm a big football fan and sure even I could only guess at "how much money is thrown at it".

And what does that even mean? Money spent by the state? Money spent by fans? By advertisers and commercial partners? Money spent by organisations like FIFA and UEFA? Money spent on the national team? Money spent on underage teams? Womens teams? Local teams?

iebamm2580

Why is so much money pumped into a sport that only a handful of nations play? The media darlings rugby im talking about.

MrAbyss

The reason is Soccer is by a mile the most popular sport in this country. Also, unlike the GAA aside from some unfunny American screaming about hurling for Google Ad Sense points, the GAA DOES NOTHING for Ireland on the World Stage and never will.

The FAI is a rotten organization who only cares about the National Team and living off that. This is why the LOI clubs are on the verge of leaving them to form a new league.

We have a crop of fantastic young player in the wings and brilliant future manager in Stephen Kenny.

The Ireland rugby team will be coming home in a few days and I don't see you complain about that.

Kermit.de.frog

MrAbyss wrote: »

The reason is Soccer is by a mile the most popular sport in this country.

This is not true.

Participation;

With 21%, GAA is now the most popular sport in Ireland, followed by Soccer (19%), Rugby (14%), with Athletics, Tennis, Golf, and Swimming all getting 3% each.

https://www.joe.ie/sport/gaa-most-popular-652397

Say Your Number

I like that we have our own games unique to us, as long as there is some kind of sport there for people to get out and exercise and meet new people especially in rural areas with can be a bit isolated, who cares if it doesn't translate to international sucess.

Arghus

Kermit.de.frog wrote: »

This is not true.

Participation;

https://www.joe.ie/sport/gaa-most-popular-652397

I'm going to call absolute bull**** on the methodology of that survey. There's rakes of schoolkids every day out there kicking a ball around, I've yet to see a game of gaelic football happening in a schoolyard. I'd love to know how they arrived at those figures.

Maybe, in terms of official "games" with legitimate teams there may be more adults playing GAA regularly, but if you look at the whole picture from kids kicking a ball around to people playing five a side, soccer is miles, miles, ahead.

Kermit.de.frog

Sorry but I deal in fact, not fiction. Reality, not feelings.

#dismissed

:P

Arghus

Kermit.de.frog wrote: »

Sorry but I deal in fact, not fiction. Reality, not feelings.

#dismissed

:P

Ah, look, we all know soccer is the most popular sport in the country.

Even if we - God help us - take Boards as a microcosm of Irish society, just look:

GAA forum - 611,000 posts
Rugby Forum - 1.3 million posts
Soccer Forum - 3.7 million posts