Finnan Retires from International Football

_blank_ · 22-01-2008 08:08PM

eirebhoy wrote: »

Association smociation. He's representing Ireland. His country. **** the FAI and **** the board of Shelbourne FC that managed to get them into such a state.

What the jaysis do Shelbourne have to do with Steve Finnan, might I ask?

Seriously.

eirebhoy · 22-01-2008 08:10PM

Because I think it's pretty clear that the reason you don't support Ireland is because of the FAI. A dodgy board isn't going to stop me supporting Ireland, or Celtic for that matter.

_blank_ · 22-01-2008 08:14PM

eirebhoy wrote: »

Because I think it's pretty clear that the reason you don't support Ireland is because of the FAI. A dodgy board isn't going to stop me supporting Ireland, or Celtic for that matter.

So, why were you ranting about Shels?

I genuinely dont understand.

DSB · 22-01-2008 08:39PM

Ridiculous to bring Shels into it, merely looking for a reaction.

invincibleirish · 22-01-2008 09:34PM

sure while were here lets blame Shels and yer man who drove them into the ground for Saipan, take that Shels!

eirebhoy · 22-01-2008 10:01PM

DSB wrote: »

Ridiculous to bring Shels into it, merely looking for a reaction.

I'm certainly not. I think Des would be the last person to rise to that. I think it's pretty clear what I'm saying and can't believe I have to explain it. Des would not stop supporting Shels whether their board was world class or corrupt. I seriously doubt "the association" had anything to do with Finnan's decision.

gosplan · 22-01-2008 11:08PM

Nunu wrote: »

Totally wrong.

Maldini was begged on more than one occasion by the Italian managemaent to join up with them for Euro '04 and then again for World Cup '06 - even as late as just before the squad deadline. They also said he didn't have to play friendlies. And i don't remember him ever costing them a game or two?

He wouldn't have started, that's my point. He recognised that his days were numbered. Asking him to join the squad is just bull**** lip service - there's no way he would have got in ahead of Nesta, Cannavaro or probably Matterazi. He didn't want to be just a squad member.

Obviously if you want you can find a load of quotes saying we'd love to have him around and so on and so forth but that's the same as Real saying 'Hierro will be missed' when the guy had clearly become a liability.

Back on topic - you can't question the loyalty of a player who turned up without fail for qualifying matches where he was being given moronic instructions by a man who was tactically beaten by Cyrpus - twice.

Chardee MacDennis · 22-01-2008 11:27PM

Finnan was a great servant to Ireland and it is a loss to see him go, one of our most consistent players.

lets hope it improves and lengthens his club career

Rockee · 23-01-2008 12:00AM

DesF wrote: »

This could be the first of many.

Robbie could go.

I know things are bad at the moment but Robbies not even 28 yet!?

BaZmO* · 23-01-2008 12:07AM

event wrote: »

you make it sound like he's on the breadline.

Not at all. I was just making the point that his loyalties lie, first and foremost, with his employers which in this case is his club.

I really don't understand people sometimes. If the guy wants to retire (for whatever reason) so be it. It's his choice. It's very easy to criticise a player while sitting in front of your computer, complaining that he should do this or do that for his Country. What have you ever done for your country?

Het-Field · 23-01-2008 01:04AM

Good Luck to him. I hope his departure allows Joey O Brien andKevin Foley to develop.

At least it forces the new manager to think a little

estebancambias · 23-01-2008 01:09AM

BaZmO* wrote: »

Not at all. I was just making the point that his loyalties lie, first and foremost, with his employers which in this case is his club.

I really don't understand people sometimes. If the guy wants to retire (for whatever reason) so be it. It's his choice. It's very easy to criticise a player while sitting in front of your computer, complaining that he should do this or do that for his Country. What have you ever done for your country?

Bazmo come on, any of us would cut our own hand off to play for Ireland.

OPENROAD · 23-01-2008 01:16AM

estebancambias wrote: »

Bazmo come on, any of us would cut our own hand off to play for Ireland.

Really? Club football is of far more importance now for the top players as well as supporters.

estebancambias · 23-01-2008 01:18AM

Winning the world cup for your country...

or

winning Champions League.....

I know which would mean more to me. I guess it depends on how much national pride the player has.

Xavi6 · 23-01-2008 01:22AM

estebancambias wrote: »

Winning the world cup for your country...

or

winning Champions League.....

I know which would mean more to me. I guess it depends on how much national pride the player has.

Yes cause he has a realistic shout of winning the World Cup with Ireland :rolleyes:

Cafu, Maldini etc stayed on because they had a chance to win things at international level. Finnan doesn't

OPENROAD · 23-01-2008 01:22AM

estebancambias wrote: »

Winning the world cup for your country...

or

winning Champions League.....

I know which would mean more to me. I guess it depends on how much national pride the player has.

As a supporter Champions League, no contest.

estebancambias · 23-01-2008 01:24AM

Ok then representing my country in the World Cup....

or

Playing for a club in Champions League.

Basically my country is the most important thing, it ranks up with my family in terms of importance.

OPENROAD · 23-01-2008 01:28AM

estebancambias wrote: »

Ok then representing my country in the World Cup....

or

Playing for a club in Champions League.

Basically my country is the most important thing, it ranks up with my family in terms of importance.

Fair enough, for me it would be club everytime no contest.

estebancambias · 23-01-2008 01:29AM

Just to add, I think its probably better that Steve Finnan retired, as I think its better having a younger squad. I think his reasons are correct.

OPENROAD · 23-01-2008 01:33AM

estebancambias wrote: »

Just to add, I think its probably better that Steve Finnan retired, as I think its better having a younger squad. I think his reasons are correct.

New manager and all that, it is a good time for you to rebuild. A good consistent player though who just gets on with it.

LuckyLloyd · 23-01-2008 01:43AM

This is a huge loss for the upcoming qualifiers. In fairness though, Finnan was never properly recognized within the Irish setup - and with the dilly dallying over the new appointment I easily see why he has chosen this point in time to jack it in.

50 caps and however many more match squads is more than enough service folks. He has no obligation to play - and when a footballer's heart is no longer in it he is no longer an asset to any squad.

Pity though.

d22ontour · 23-01-2008 02:33AM

Decent player in his service for Ireland though having a manager play you out of yore favoured position didn't help for a while.His reasons seem justified to me also.

shane86 · 23-01-2008 02:51AM

OPENROAD wrote: »

Really? Club football is of far more importance now for the top players as well as supporters.

:eek:

Any already wealthy player thinking along these lines should have never played for his country in the first place. Im not saying that about Finnan necessarily, I think however he may have become disillusioned with the whole FAI set up, maybe the long hunt for a manager was the final straw if he thinks they wont get anyone decent. His pretty neutral expression upon scoring the equaliser in Croker said it all. He was glad to rescue the seeding but he knew they had performed awful.

Any supporter who would rather see Man U or Liverpool or any other far off team in a city theyve no association lift the CL than see a stadium ull of green white and gold flags cheer on an Irish squad making not only sport but national history is a disgrace tbh.

OPENROAD wrote: »

As a supporter Champions League, no contest.

Maybe I am misreading this but you would rather see your club win the CL than your national team win the WC/Euros?

PHB · 23-01-2008 03:57AM

We had a poll on this a while ago, in terms of a treble or a world cup. I personally pick a treble.

I have more attachment to my club football team than my national football team.

_blank_ · 23-01-2008 09:49AM

estebancambias wrote: »

Bazmo come on, any of us would cut our own hand off to play for Ireland.

I wouldn't.

estebancambias wrote: »

I know which would mean more to me. I guess it depends on how much national pride the player has.

Pride, schmide.

Steve Finnan has done it for Ireland for long enough. He has a career to think about. If he feels this decision will lengthen his career, then more power to him.

PHB wrote: »

I have more attachment to my club football team than my national football team.

But I get slated for that point of view.

****************************
At least I support Irish football ffs.

Where is the pride in the country with people who pour money into the British game?

Don't lecture me on national pride, thanks very fúcking much.

BaZmO* · 23-01-2008 10:31AM

estebancambias wrote: »

Bazmo come on, any of us would cut our own hand off to play for Ireland.

Yeah, any of us with severe mental problems would.

He's played for his country for 8 years amassing 50 caps and played in a World Cup. Fairplay to him if he wants to retire.

citytillidie · 23-01-2008 11:19AM

estebancambias wrote: »

Ok then representing my country in the World Cup....

or

Playing for a club in Champions League.

Basically my country is the most important thing, it ranks up with my family in terms of importance.

Well Finnan has done both Played for Ireland in 2002 World Cup and won the Champions League with Liverpool in 2005 so there you go he has done it all

loyatemu · 23-01-2008 12:25PM

I've no problem with players retiring from international football if they're in their mid 30s and struggling for fitness - 31 is too young though. He should've given it another campaign.

_blank_ · 23-01-2008 12:26PM

loyatemu wrote: »

He should've given it another campaign.

Why?

ninebeanrows · 23-01-2008 01:10PM

DesF wrote: »

Why?

So he could wear the Green Jersey and try and bring his nation to the world cup in 2010.

There is no bigger incentive in football, unless you are more concerened about your finances.

Finnan Retires from International Football

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