Torquay United Fans Forum

On the subject of "switching sides", there's Stefano.

No, not the Stefano on here, and there (who contributes to both sides) ;-) , but Alfredo Di Stefano who played internationally for Argentina, Colombia and Spain.

Among others, another one is Ferenc Puskas who played for Hungary and Spain.

Eunan O'Kane therefore, is not "Eunique" in "switching sides".

[quote="ROIGull"]

Not one for being political but [color=#FF0000]there should be a united Ireland team and not the North, South divide [/color]here. The North could actually have a decent squad if players committed to their cause rather than the Republic's. [color=#FF0000]Take a leaf out of the Rugby game and football could learn a hell of alot![/color][/quote]

The individual FA's of Northern Ireland/Scotland/Wales/England will fight tooth and nail to keep autonomy for reasons of self interest.

In the eyes of FIFA, a "Country"/"Nation", in football terms, is recognised by having it's own FA/Leagues run separately from another FA/League.

I mean, Andorra and Faroe Islands for ffs. :@

It's almost too much effort to bother explaining this, but I shall anyway. My original message was a home relating to an infamous bomb attack in London. It lasted all of 8 hours before enough of our members got their pretty pink panties in a bunch and PM'd admin and asked for it to be removed. As an amusing retort, I then made the above post, knowing it to be equally contentious, but absolutely unlikely to result in any complaints.

I have no strong feelings either way about Ireland, in politics or football. It's a delightful place full of delightful people and a curiously pretty language, but so far as devolution goes, as is always the way, democracy rules.

Matt.

A genuine thanks for having to state the obvious Gullscorer - it's a pity that some people can't see the wood from the trees here!

[quote="ferrarilover"][color=#FF0000][b]Admin Edit: Content Removed (SG)[/b][/color]

I'm not sure why, all I said was...

If that's how you feel ROI, I suggest a series of talks between our respective governments, culminating in the IRA laying down their arms and the British government embracing Sinn Fein and Jerry Adams as the genuine, honest and peace loving political instruments they have always been.

Matt.[/quote]
Matt, I'm not sure why you think the IRA and Sinn Fein have any relevance here. Surely you're not implying that everybody who believes that one team should represent the whole of Ireland in sport, or anybody who believes that there should be a united Ireland in a political sense, is each and every one [u]not[/u] genuine, honest and peace-loving?

There are indeed people with such views (and with opposing views) who would not dream of resorting to arms and violence. And Gandhi himself achieved far more through peaceful non-violent passive resistance..

ROIGull has a point. Why shouldn't the whole island of Ireland be represented by a single football team? The only reason it's not is because of politics and the history of sections of the population having opposing views.

Or, while we're at it, how about all the islands in the British Isles being represented by one team. (Okay, maybe not practicable).

Alternatively, let each different population group have their own team, and players decide with their feet which team to play for. Those teams with little support will wither away naturally into insignificance..

[color=#FF0000][b]Admin Edit: Content Removed (SG)[/b][/color]

I'm not sure why, all I said was...

If that's how you feel ROI, I suggest a series of talks between our respective governments, culminating in the IRA laying down their arms and the British government embracing Sinn Fein and Jerry Adams as the genuine, honest and peace loving political instruments they have always been.

Matt.

[color=#FF0000][b]Admin Reply: If that WAS what you'd written the contents wouldn't have been removed, as you well know.[/b][/color]

As long as Trappatonni is Manager He does'nt hold ANY chance (at least for the next two years). The guy does'nt even go on scouting missions - it's all VHS material! Plays a 442 formation - back to front and bypasses the mid's (ala Jack Charlton). Maybe when Chris Houghton becomes manager He'll get his chance.

Not one for being political but there should be a united Ireland team and not the North, South divide here. The North could actually have a decent squad if players committed to their cause rather than the Republic's. Take a leaf out of the Rugby game and football could learn a hell of alot!

[quote="ferrarilover"]Accepting that Eunan is probably a stand out talent (assuming that isn't too Billy Big Balls), would it be worth us having a look at the two unattached lads?

Matt.[/quote]
They're probably already destined for bigger clubs. But I wouldn't worry; ML seems to have a knack for finding diamonds, even rough ones, in obscure places.

Proud to have such a quality and promising player at our club. Desent lad too. Hope when (not yet I hope) he does leave us he'l go far, and Il too definatly catch an ROI match if he does make it

Eunan should have stuck with Northern Ireland, he would have been guaranteed a place they are THAT bad! He would have been their star player.

Accepting that Eunan is probably a stand out talent (assuming that isn't too Billy Big Balls), would it be worth us having a look at the two unattached lads?

Matt.

If he needs any inspiration he need look no further than Mark Kinsella who was ever present for the Republic of Ireland in the 2002 World Cup after playing for Colchester in the Conference ten years earlier.

If he does play for Ireland in Qatar in 2022, I will make every effort to get there to see him do it.

Santon, El Shaarawy and Paloschi are all top end Serie A prospects, as you say, being on the same field as that quality of player must really help a young lad like Eunan.

And here are the teams for yesterday's game:

[i]IRELAND: I. McLoughlin (MK Dons); J. Egan (Sunderland), S. Duffy (Everton), N. Canavan (Scunthorpe United), G. Cunningham (Manchester City) - capt; J. Hendrick (Derby County), R. Towell (Unattached), E. O'Kane (Torquay United); R. Brady (Manchester United), R. Murphy (Unattached), A. White (Leeds United).

Subs: A. McCarey (Wolves) for McLoughlin (59 mins), J. Collins (Shrewsbury Town) for Murphy (89 mins).

ITALY: F. Bradi (Livorno); D. Santon (Newcastle United), M. Capuano (Pescara), L. Caldirola (Brescia), A. Crescenzi (Bari); A. Florenzi (Crotone), M. Verratti (Pescara), L. Marrone (Juventus), L. Insigne (Pescara); M. Destro (Siena), C. Immobile (Pescara).

Subs: A. Paloschi (Chievo) for Destro (73 mins), S. El Shaarawy (AC Milan) for Immobile (85 mins) S. Romagnoli (Pescara) for Paloschi (90 mins).[/i]

Playing with and against players from illustrious clubs in a creditable performance can only enhance his prospects.