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About LinkBacksBy your logic any Unionist from Northern Ireland who plays rugby for Ireland is a Republican because they stand on the pitch for 'The Soldier's Song'. Doesn't make sense does it?Originally Posted by Oldira1
By your logic any Unionist from Northern Ireland who plays rugby for Ireland is a Republican because they stand on the pitch for 'The Soldier's Song'. Doesn't make sense does it?
Only because it had become untenable not to have them because of media questioning.
A UK team would mean an all-Ireland team as the likes of David Healy and Johnny Evans would not be sure of getting on the UK team so would declare for Ireland.
But they also stand for Irelands Call. If the IFA also have Danny Boy as an anthem then I may reconsider. Do you not remember how Niall Lennon was treated? No rugby from Ulster has ever being treated badly by Irish fans.
I've no idea who Niall Lennon is. What happened to him?
"Originally Posted by Oldira1 View Post
But they also stand for Irelands Call. If the IFA also have Danny Boy as an anthem then I may reconsider. Do you not remember how Niall Lennon was treated? No rugby from Ulster has ever being treated badly by Irish fans."
Have you ever heard of Nigel Carr? Those that almost killed him were probably as much 'Irish supporters' as the thugs that threatened Neil Lennon were NI supporters.
The first catholic to captain the 6 counties whose family were subject to intimidation and death threats when he signed for Celtic.
Interestingly, citizenship alone does not entitle you to play for a country. The Quatari's handed out passports by the score to Brazilians so FIFA closed that loophole.
Technically, the IFA have a point. Darren Gibson has never lived in the FAI juristiction. However, real politick is that now nationailists have a choice, they will as often as not declare for the 26 county side. Longer term this is a good thing as it will create a de facto united Irish side. The IFA are right to fight this at one level or become redundant- but would be better spending their time trying to fix a situation where 50% of your playing population don't want anything to do with you.
Are you seriously comparing an IRA bomb injuring a rugby player to the NI fans abusing their own captain at games on the basis of his religion?
I don't have a problem with people - of any background- wanting to play for ROI. However, if the Northern Ireland team is so awful then why were they happy to represent NI at any level?? Comes across as abit hypocritical rather then as an expression of nationalist pride
Young players have little choice in the matter at under age levels, its the system they are brought up through.These guys have the right and wish to play for the 26 so they should. I only wish that the like of Ed Joyce and Morgan were as willing to play for their country.I suppose it reflects what a lot of cricketers think in Ireland, that the real deal is England. we cant do anything about that, like the north cant do anything about the soccer fellows.
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