Unite to Compete!

[Ógra Shinn Féin]

Barry McColgan
National Organiser
Ógra Shinn Féin

Ireland should have one united soccer team.

BBC Spotlight (Tues 29 Feb) has hopefully re-ignited this important sporting issue. I hope common sense prevails and football fans across Ireland realise that the best way forward for international soccer in Ireland is to have one national team.

This has been a long running debate, one which many footballing greats have opined on, including George Best who supported the creation of an All Ireland team.

Other sports have shown maturity and rationale, and created truly national teams, including Rugby, Cricket, and International Rules.

Ireland is a small nation, and in order to truly compete in an international arena, they must utilise a full pool of talented players.

A coming together of the 2 current partitioned teams will ensure a more competitive team and undoubtedly silverware for Irish soccer and more joy for the fans.

The programme also touched on the possibility of an All Ireland soccer league, with the general point being made that the majority of teams North and South would actually support this idea.

An All Ireland Soccer team is something which Ógra Shinn Féin has continually called for since its formation.

In the spirit of national reconciliation and the need for Irish soccer to compete on an International stage, we would urge everyone across Ireland to support the call for a 32 County National Team.

For full post:

http://ograshinnfein.blogspot.com/2008/01/unite-to-compete.html

[duggie-89]

yea i agree i think it would really bing the idea of unification to all communities on an all ireland agenda.

but at the end of the day i think that the their will be alot of practical issuses surrounding the all ireland team like what anthem will they sing and where, where will the home games be played.

[inchicore_republican]

If we unite our country then we will definitely have a United football team :eusa_dance:

[ciaranxavier]

thats kind of what i was thinking soccer should be something to worry about later as an all ireland team right now would be a farce as their isnt one ireland theres a nasty invisible line dividing the 6 from the rest. its a nice thought but i just think itd possibly be a move towards normalization of british rule.

[East Tyrone]

An all-Ireland soccer team would be a great way to break down cultural barriers, between working class communities, throughout the country.

[ciaranxavier]

An all-Ireland soccer team would be a great way to break down cultural barriers, between working class communities, throughout the country.

but wouldnt it ultimatly be seen as a farce at the current point in time?

[McDaid--1916]

but wouldnt it ultimatly be seen as a farce at the current point in time?

No, you have to take it small steps at a time, first get a united soccer teams, it'll break down the cultural barriers like ET said, community relations will increase and the republican community will start to see more things going there way. IMO

[ciaranxavier]

No, you have to take it small steps at a time, first get a united soccer teams, it'll break down the cultural barriers like ET said, community relations will increase and the republican community will start to see more things going there way. IMO

are we talking an all ireland team internationally? im confused explain more please.

[Erin_go_bragh]

With a four counties flag and Irelands call? =D Is it workable?

[ciaranxavier]

With a four counties flag and Irelands call? =D Is it workable?

i think i could see something coming out of it definatly. if it brings the people together heck im all for it then.

[Erin_go_bragh]

i think i could see something coming out of it definatly. if it brings the people together heck im all for it then.

The point im trying to make is that we have a national rugby team without a flag and anthem. How can they represent ireland, without the correct flag and song?

[ciaranxavier]

The point im trying to make is that we have a national rugby team without a flag and anthem. How can they represent ireland, without the correct flag and song?

and do you have a solution to this ie- what anthem or flag to use. or at the current time in hand do you believe there to be no solution?

[johnson]

It'd be great to have a united football team but some would never let it happen.

[Erin_go_bragh]

and do you have a solution to this ie- what anthem or flag to use. or at the current time in hand do you believe there to be no solution?

An All Ireland public opinion poll on what Flags and anthems to use.

[ciaranxavier]

An All Ireland public opinion poll on what Flags and anthems to use.

good thinking good thinking. what do you think loyalist opinion would be or do you think itd matter.

[Ernie O'Malley]

good thinking good thinking. what do you think loyalist opinion would be or do you think itd matter.

We have established our republic, Its Flag and its anthem this can not be compromised until the re-convening of Dail Éireann in a free Ireland under any circumstances.

[Erin_go_bragh]

We have established our republic, Its Flag and its anthem this can not be compromised until the re-convening of Dail Éireann in a free Ireland under any circumstances.

Hasnt that legitmacy rubbish been droped. I think you will find Ernie, that the majority of people in Ireland would agree that the Dail is as actieve as ever.

[Ernie O'Malley]

How can you be a republican with out believing that the Irish Republic Exists, this is the core principle of republicanism.
Volunteers of the republic died for the republic, they sacrificed their lives and their freedom for the right of the republic to exist, you cannot change this fundemental law.
The republic was declared and established by the Irish People that is why there is a stuggle. The struggle from 1919-2008 cannot be "rubbished" all the men who have died under the flag of the republic can not be rubbished.
If the republic does not exist and is rubbish than all efforts for that republic were useless wastes of good lives.

To claim to be a republican with out believing in the republic is the same as claiming to be a Christian with out believing in God.

[Stócach_Uladh]

Barry McColgan
National Organiser
Ógra Shinn Féin

Ireland should have one united soccer team...Ireland is a small nation...

It is indeed, and its culture is threatened by spheres of influence from nations greater than our own, so why dont you worry more about the dilution of gaelic games in Ireland, such as foreign games being played in our national stadium, which was created to preserve Gaelic Games and the Irish language before a game thats about as native to this land as the foreign power that colonises it???

[Mellows1922]

It is indeed, and its culture is threatened by spheres of influence from nations greater than our own, so why dont you worry more about the dilution of gaelic games in Ireland, such as foreign games being played in our national stadium, which was created to preserve Gaelic Games and the Irish language before a game thats about as native to this land as the foreign power that colonises it???

How does football or rugby being played in our national stadium dilute the native games ?

[Foyleview]

one island one soccer team.

[scarface]

one island one soccer team.

one NATION

[Stócach_Uladh]

How does football or rugby being played in our national stadium dilute the native games ?


How does it not? As ive said, the GAA was founded to preserve Gaelic games and culture, why then, should foreign games be played in the HQ of the organisation itself??

[Mellows1922]

How does it not? As ive said, the GAA was founded to preserve Gaelic games and culture, why then, should foreign games be played in the HQ of the organisation itself??

That doesn't answer the question.

How exactly are our native games diluted by five or six foreign games a year being played in our national stadium ?

[Erin_go_bragh]

one NATION

What nation? An Island of partition. There never has been an Irish "Nation" as such, that is yet to be established. And Erine, I cant see Dail Eireann reconvening anytime soon, considering there all dead.

[Ernie O'Malley]

What nation? An Island of partition. There never has been an Irish "Nation" as such, that is yet to be established. And Erine, I cant see Dail Eireann reconvening anytime soon, considering there all dead.

Which is why the Authority and Legitimacy of Dáil Éireann was passed on by the last remaining member.

[Lappy]

Which is why the Authority and Legitimacy of Dáil Éireann was passed on by the last remaining member.

Fair enough Ernie, but would you agree that the CIRA haven't done much with that 'authority and legitimacy' in terms if their armed campaign?

[Ernie O'Malley]

Fair enough Ernie, but would you agree that the CIRA haven't done much with that 'authority and legitimacy' in terms if their armed campaign?

I would whole heartedly agree and I would like to know why?
I mean to say how hard can it possibly be to block an RUC Veichle on the Andytown road and Riddle it, the Provo's were fit to Mortar Downing street??????
It isnt rocket science to be honest. then again I am not in the Know and am not risking anything my self but as a supporter I'd like to know why Ive nothing to support, maybe its harder than it seems but it seems to me people mouthing about a fight arent prepared to put their arses on the line
Like there is no problem sticking a bullet in a 17 year olds legs but they cant attack a moving veichle in their own area?

[Lappy]

I would whole heartedly agree and I would like to know why?
I mean to say how hard can it possibly be to block an RUC Veichle on the Andytown road and Riddle it, the Provo's were fit to Mortar Downing street??????
It isnt rocket science to be honest. then again I am not in the Know and am not risking anything my self but as a supporter I'd like to know why Ive nothing to support, maybe its harder than it seems but it seems to me people mouthing about a fight arent prepared to put their arses on the line
Like there is no problem sticking a bullet in a 17 year olds legs but they cant attack a moving veichle in their own area?

You've said it all Ernie

[Ernie O'Malley]

You've said it all Ernie

Unfortunately for my thought train I have Lappy!!