With the impending collapse of the FAI finances, the lack of appearances in major championships and the paucity of talent available I believe there will be a major push for a single Irish international football team in the near future. Money talks so if some sweetners are added I’m sure all sides could be persuaded to amalgamate to keep football going on the island. The Nordies had a great result the other night. They continue to hold their own on the international stage without ever looking like qualifying, we have improved too but still are very short in many areas - the net result -Irish football being consistently absent from international tournaments. This aint exactly sponsorship friendly and a threat to the game generally. The farcical situation of all those of a green hue in Norn Iron declaring for the Republic can only hasten this move. Anyway enough about all that shite -how would an Irish side shape up?
The likes of Brunt, Whelan, Hunt, Lafferty, Baird, Reid, Wilson, McAuley, St.Ledger, Stokes and Walters in the mix. We would still be very short on quality up front but the chances of qualifying would be hugely strengthened by the addition of Hughes, Evans, Davis, Baird and Brunt anyway. All EPL quality players.
There may be a problem with many of the Glasgow bigot ‘supporters’ in Ireland booing those representing their country but I would think an amalgamated side would generate a massive amount of goodwill. The tennets sponsored neanderthals would probably be drowned out as a result.
considering the FAI made a healthy profit in 2009 i decided to stop reading after the first few words. if the opening poster cant even get his facts rights it suggests his opinions arent worth listening to.
I think Davis is the obvious six county guy to fit into the team, he’d suit the 26 county system at the moment and could work well with Whelan. Outside of that they’re not really strong in any areas where we’re weak. Would want to see more of Evans at full back but there’s certainly room for improvement over Kilbane - the lad that played there against Slovenia the other night (Cathcart) got an awful roasting from Birsa though. Hughes isn’t much of an improvement over St Ledger if any.
Would like to see it happen anyway. I’m just not sure that a 32 county team would bring Andy Reid any closer to the squad, or leave McGeady out or put Gibson top of the queue. I think you’ve got a little mixed up with yourself there.
