I would love to see an All Ireland Soccer Team. If this is to happen I imagine both associations would have to compromise on certain things. Wondering how many people would accept an All Ireland Team that played Irelanod’s call as their anthem or would you prefer the status quo. I know a lot of people criticise the IRFU for playing this song but I think it is a price well worth paying if it meant having an all Irish team. Opinions please.
If one hates Ireland’s Call, that’s not a reason to hold fast to the old anthems; any song other than the existing anthems could really be used. “There is an isle” has been suggested as an alternative on the rugby front. What team would people go for; they’re ranked ahead of us but would they end up with more players?
Not a chance they’d end up with more players. Hard to think of any who’d make the team:
Healy would probably be in the squad, not sure if he’d make the bench though. Lafferty would make the odd friendly up top but nothing else.
Lennon if he returned would probably make the team for a season or so and Steve Davis would certainly be in the squad.
Aaron Hughes? - Hardly the solution we need to our defensive problems but he’s a possibility.
We’d certainly take Carroll and Taylor as back-up goalkeepers to Given, though Staunton would probably want to hang onto Henderson as he’s doing so well on the bench for Preston.
whats your answer to my question. no fudge please.
Yes I’d want an all-Ireland soccer team and would be happy to fudge the anthems as a compromise.
If this happened would they join the two domestic leagues?
I’d say a unified league is far more likely than a unified national team at this stage but it could be the first step in the process (if the Setanta Cup wasn’t that first step already)
i’d agree with rock more chance of two leagues merging at this stage (i think it will happen within next five years) than a united ireland team. i heard linfield were in favour of it. are you sure your correct raven?
Still think a unified team is a long way off and not sure I’d want it at the moment to be honest. Unified league is the way forward for the moment. If we do go down this route in the future I reckon you’d have to start with underage teams and get them playing together first. Would help ease things if guys had played underage football together. When it comes to a call-up then it would be the players personal choice which shade of green he wants to wear.
its a players choice now
Yes - what’s your point with that? What I meant that after player underage for Ireland (useless fact - only Northern Ireland are actually allowed to called themselves Ireland, we must use Republic) the player could choose whether he wants to play for Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland
That’s the case at the moment BT. And there are a few examples in recent years of guys making the switch only when they get to senior level. Darren Gibson is an example, though he switched at U-19 level.
I know it’s a players choice now - but I was saying that we could combine the underage teams into an All-Ireland team and when a player is good enough or deemed good enough for a senior call-up he could choose his Ireland. My point is to combine the underage teams as a stepping stone to a All-Ireland team.
Surely that would lead to good players playing for the better irish team at the time and poorer players declaring for the other team as they have a better chance of playing. And what about the supporters of the northern team. Will the majority of them support an all irish team?
as a matter of interest why aren’t you sure you want a united ireland team? what would be your objection?
i’d say majority of people in the north would support an all irish team as long as it was inclusive and sensitive to all traditions. would be better than the situation at the moment where norn iron only reprents a section of the community.
Surely that would lead to good players playing for the better irish team at the time and poorer players declaring for the other team as they have a better chance of playing.
I meant it as a stepping stone so it would iron itself out over a few years when the teams combine.
And what about the supporters of the northern team. Will the majority of them support an all irish team?
It’s going to happen in the next 25 years in my opinion so they’ll just have to deal with it. There’ll be plenty of Republic fans who don’t want it either.
what flags will they be waving and where would they play?
shouldn’t get hung up on flags and location. not a problem in rugby or other sports. actually how many other sports are partioned? i can think of very few.
Re the flags, it was strange at the cricket yesterday.
There was all the cricketing fraternity sitting up in the stands.
Then there was the raucous group of 20 somethings who went out to support the team and go on the lash.
On one side of the field was the Northern Irish lads with their Northern Ireland football jerseys, the odd Rangers shirt, Ulster flags and Northern Ireland Football Association flags.
Then on the other side were the lads with their tricolours, Irish football shirts, leprachaun outfits etc.
Indeed there was a Shamrock Rovers jersey or two spotted.
good story. wish i had seen it. should be what ireland is about (without the rangers jerseys of course)