So the 5-0 beating of Northern Ireland by the Republic of Ireland is likely to do little to quell the controversy over players born north of the border choosing the Aviva in Dublin as their home ground. According to a FIFA ruling they can choose who to play for and generally there is a tendency for catholics to choose to play for the Republic if they are invited to do so.
I have commented jokingly before that in the event that the ruling was changed, a birthing exodus would likely occur. While this might not be en mass, I think it does reflect the mentality of many that simply do not consider the Northern Ireland football as representative of themselves.
When growing up, and going to Northern Ireland games, I always considered this as an expression of my half-protestant self. Attendance was open to me as a result of mixed marriage rather than a peace process driven decline in sectarianism, though this has taken place. Most catholics continue to support the Republic of Ireland, albeit with some exceptions. The quote below being from a case in point.
The peace process to my knowledge has effectively ignored these issues. While recommendations for catholics to join the PSNI has been given by the SDLP and Sinn Féin, this has not happened for the Northern Ireland football team. I have seen no desire to tackle the issue from any of the political parties, and in the absence of this I think it wrong to oblige young people to play for a team that they do not support.
The argument is often given that the investment in training warrants a return from the player. This obligation is not placed upon other professions. Public sector trained dentists are lost to the private sector. The Philippines loses professionally trained nurses to the National Health Service. And the IFA trains many players that will never represent Northern Ireland (including myself).
Northern Ireland fans are I think rightful to feel snubbed. The problem is that decisions made by individual teenagers are the focus of a much more systemic problem and this should be acknowledged. Reversing the FIFA ruling will not affect the footballing aspirations of many young catholics. Leadership on this issue, similar to that that brought peace might generate cross-community support for any agreement that is reached, but in the absence of this the current situation while perhaps not ideal, does allow choice in national expression; a component integral to the peace process.
By virtue of my grandfather, I would be entitled to represent the Republic of Ireland regardless of FIFA intervention. By dint of age and being unable to kick back doors with the bin men, a call up is unlikely.
I admit that I would heed this call, but I think that both the current situation and its proposed remedy are not ideal and I would support efforts to bring about a workable solution.
This is the only photo I can find of myself wearing the shirt. It does get worn though, most recently during a hurling match at the South East Asian Gaelic Games in Ho Chi Minh City.
I have commented jokingly before that in the event that the ruling was changed, a birthing exodus would likely occur. While this might not be en mass, I think it does reflect the mentality of many that simply do not consider the Northern Ireland football as representative of themselves.
When growing up, and going to Northern Ireland games, I always considered this as an expression of my half-protestant self. Attendance was open to me as a result of mixed marriage rather than a peace process driven decline in sectarianism, though this has taken place. Most catholics continue to support the Republic of Ireland, albeit with some exceptions. The quote below being from a case in point.
I just have grown up supporting N.I insted of Republic. To say that tho, would never go to an N.I game. Would feel too uncomfortable.Not necessarily a representative sample but research on this would be interesting. And I do know catholics that go to Windsor Park, but then again the likes of myself would.
The peace process to my knowledge has effectively ignored these issues. While recommendations for catholics to join the PSNI has been given by the SDLP and Sinn Féin, this has not happened for the Northern Ireland football team. I have seen no desire to tackle the issue from any of the political parties, and in the absence of this I think it wrong to oblige young people to play for a team that they do not support.
The argument is often given that the investment in training warrants a return from the player. This obligation is not placed upon other professions. Public sector trained dentists are lost to the private sector. The Philippines loses professionally trained nurses to the National Health Service. And the IFA trains many players that will never represent Northern Ireland (including myself).
Northern Ireland fans are I think rightful to feel snubbed. The problem is that decisions made by individual teenagers are the focus of a much more systemic problem and this should be acknowledged. Reversing the FIFA ruling will not affect the footballing aspirations of many young catholics. Leadership on this issue, similar to that that brought peace might generate cross-community support for any agreement that is reached, but in the absence of this the current situation while perhaps not ideal, does allow choice in national expression; a component integral to the peace process.
By virtue of my grandfather, I would be entitled to represent the Republic of Ireland regardless of FIFA intervention. By dint of age and being unable to kick back doors with the bin men, a call up is unlikely.
I admit that I would heed this call, but I think that both the current situation and its proposed remedy are not ideal and I would support efforts to bring about a workable solution.
This is the only photo I can find of myself wearing the shirt. It does get worn though, most recently during a hurling match at the South East Asian Gaelic Games in Ho Chi Minh City.
No comments:
Post a Comment