tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2623721153002721356.post4512334034249049407..comments2024-03-28T17:49:01.125+00:00Comments on Three Thousand Versts of Loneliness: IFA carries on regardless with the Celtic CupOwen Polleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00567787385096905811noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2623721153002721356.post-41189578274322927272010-08-14T16:42:23.038+01:002010-08-14T16:42:23.038+01:00When Chekov says the IFA have no backbone he's...When Chekov says the IFA have no backbone he's dead right. If the IFA were serious about attracting more players/supporters from the (for want of a better term)"nationalist community" they would have scrapped "God Save the Queen" in favour of a more inclusive anthem years ago. Instead they bow to political pressure and maintain an anthem that's no more Northern Irish than it is English, Scottish or Welsh. I'm not saying that adopting a new anthem would cause a sudden influx of supporters from the Falls and Andytown to Windsor, but at least the IFA would be able to claim the moral high ground.<br />Yes, the FIFA ruling was unjust, but the IFA deserve no sympathy.<br />And in any case can you really blame Darron Gibson et al for not wanting to play for a team that loses to the likes of Albania and Montenegro? If the boot was on the other foot the IFA would be doing exactly the same as what the FAI are doing.CWhttp://dreamingarm.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2623721153002721356.post-76971937082050138212010-08-13T18:53:52.619+01:002010-08-13T18:53:52.619+01:00The 'Celtic Cup' tournament has had my ful...The 'Celtic Cup' tournament has had my full support since its proposed inception.<br /><br />But following Football Aparthied Ireland's actions in recent years, it should be a no-brainer that the IFA pull the plug on the cup completely.<br /><br />I understand what you are saying O'Neill with regards to sending down our reserves and a supporter boycott, but that could get extremely embarrassing. As much as I can take NI taking thumpings from Montenegro and the like, a walloping from a ROI team currently on a high from its own selfish agenda would further the FAI's hand in their recruitment drive of young nationalists of NI.<br /><br />As petty as it might sound... A last minute full withdrawal from the tournament is what should happen. Do it in a way that will expose the subject of player eligibility in the media further. <br /><br />Although, in fairness it was refreshing to see big Pat with the NI shirt again. Always proud to wear the green of the original Irish team.irishconukhttp://www.irishconnectionuk.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2623721153002721356.post-74871762086029105462010-08-13T17:08:21.069+01:002010-08-13T17:08:21.069+01:00Whether the IFA decides to put a team forward or n...Whether the IFA decides to put a team forward or not (doesn't have to be a First XI, in fact better to pack it full with young lads, give them early experience of a "tasty" ie hostile atmosphere) is to an extent, immaterial.<br /><br />If none of the GAWA turn up for the games, then we're contributing towards making it a financial disaster. I'm guessing very few Scots or Welsh will bother wasting their money on this, if NI supporters also boycott it in force then we'll have at least contributed towards Football Apartheid in Ireland taking a hit.O'Neillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02531858236570346203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2623721153002721356.post-66761647493347370562010-08-13T15:35:34.782+01:002010-08-13T15:35:34.782+01:00Add on the fact that our anthem will probably be r...Add on the fact that our anthem will probably be ridiculed at every game by historical illiterates with a massive chip on their shoulder...<br /><br />(Not that that would ever be a reason not to play on it's own.)Glyn Chambersnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2623721153002721356.post-70912473306622681362010-08-13T14:30:53.400+01:002010-08-13T14:30:53.400+01:00I support the concept of some kind of revived Home...I support the concept of some kind of revived Home Nations tournament as an infinitely preferable alternative to pointless friendly's, but on reflection I think you're right, a boycott at this point would be appropriate. The FAI have effectively started a sectarian carve-up of players.David Cathernoreply@blogger.com