Irish Soccer

Thawk · Post by **Thawk** » Thu Jul 06, 2006 11:02 am

I have been wondering this for a while,

as you know in the Irish rugby team all four provinces are included, we sing both of our national anthems and our team is one of the best in the world but in football we are instead the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, two completely different teams, which I think further divides Ireland, I think if they merged into just Irelend, Irish soccer would improve, what do you think?

:FI:Dex · Post by **:FI:Dex** » Thu Jul 06, 2006 3:03 pm

Try telling that to the N.Ireland supporters in East Belfast, Thawk. Their resolve is further hardened in the wake of David Healey's goal over England last year. If I had a penny for every time I heard "we're not Brazil we're Northern Ireland", I'd be a rich man.

Personally I think it would be a good idea but it would take a lot of people a lot of convincing and even at that, some people are never swayed.

:FI:Moog · Post by **:FI:Moog** » Thu Jul 06, 2006 11:58 pm

The difference between the Irish rugby and football teams it that rugby teams in this country are typically divided into clubs and provinces so that Ulster, for instance, is distinct from Northern Ireland, whereas domestic football consists only of club teams. That said, the issue is confused by the fact that Derry City play in the Eircom Premier League, and further that every single player on the Republic of Ireland's squad plays his football in the English Premiership or First Division.

Go figure.

The rugby team is moreso the amalgamation of the four provinces than a national team. It used to be the case that home matches were alternated between Belfast and Dublin, and before the matches they would play God Save The Queen in Belfast and Amhrán na bhFiann in Dublin. Also, the Irish tricolour is flown at matches in Dublin alongside a standard bearing the heraldry of the four provinces. For matches played outside the Republic, only the four provinces flag is flown. More recently, Amhrán na bhFiann has been replaced by the awful 'Ireland's Call' in an attempt to gloss over political divides.

I think the sentiment is nice, an all-Ireland football team...

...but Northern Ireland are so bad at football, I don't think that the mediocre Republic team of late could bear the deadweight!

(sorry Dex, couldn't resist!)

:FI:WillieOFS · Post by **:FI:WillieOFS** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 12:38 am

I wish that we could watch Hurling over here in the states..

Most folks over here thinks that is what happens when you drink too much..

Oh well....

:FI:Dex · Post by **:FI:Dex** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 3:41 am

None taken Moog I don't support them anyway

You for Oxegen this weekend?

http://www.oxegen.ie/lineup/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Holding out for Electric Picnic meself though the line up at Oxter looks tasty.

http://www.electricpicnic.ie/flash.html

:FI:Moog · Post by **:FI:Moog** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 12:31 pm

Nah it's Oxygen deprivation for me, again. We're supporting The Magic Numbers tonight in Whelans though, at their warm-up show. Actually I think we're still in a reserve slot for Oxygen in case anyone pulls out but at this stage that is not looking likely! I'm hoping to see a band called !!! in the Music Centre tomorrow anyway. We made a video for our new single, check it out at http://www.myspace.com/theimmediate" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; and don't take it too seriously

Hoping to get an Electric Picnic slot too. Our album is coming out around that time and unless we're playing at it I probably won't be around to see it. Was at the first one and had a ball... Grandmaster Flash, Arrested Development, Super Furries, and a helluva sunny day.

Anyway, to go back on-topic (in the off topic forum

) if we're gonna have a united Island of Ireland team, maybe we should start with something we're all very good at...

...drinking!

:FI:Fenian · Post by **:FI:Fenian** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 7:11 pm

I thought Island was already united..

I think Ireland should become a part of Australia and that they should leave the Commonwealth and become a 'True Republic'

Time for a beer.....

No hurling for me tonight though

Thawk · Post by **Thawk** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 8:44 pm

Well personally I think we should Rebel against the English (and those showboating Canadians) and us rebels will form the first ever Rebeblic, yes you read right a Rebeblic (?!)

:FI:Fenian · Post by **:FI:Fenian** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 9:30 pm

Up the Repeblic!

:FI:Moog · Post by **:FI:Moog** » Sat Jul 08, 2006 5:13 pm

Fen, a united island of Ireland! Ya know, North and South, like the Dukes of Hazzard!

:FI:Fenian · Post by **:FI:Fenian** » Sat Jul 08, 2006 6:48 pm

Bloody Bertie Ahern!

If Charlie were still around he'd sort whoever's fault it is out... no better man!

I kinda like the English these days. They grow on you. Can't help feeling sorry for their loss in the World Cup.

....

Up the Repeblic!

Irish Soccer

Irish Soccer

A United Island?

I'll follow that!

You man we aren't united yet?????