Citizen, or not?

President McGuinness?

While the decision by Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness to stand in the presidential election will dominate the headlines (just how much derision will he face about his past?), an important issue will hopefully come to the fore. That is, the position of Irish citizens in the north.

Through the years it feels like we've just about had lip-service paid to the Irish citizens in the north, but generally speaking, citizens in the north were and continue to be viewed as peripheral, sometimes completely irrelevant.

"This is a time of great challenge for all the people of Ireland. We need positive but authentic leadership. It will be a great honour for me to propose Martin McGuinness to contest this election on a broad, republican, citizen-centred platform," 

- Gerry Adams

The "republican, citizen-centred platform" Adams speaks of will almost certainly include the role of Irish citizens in the north along with the diaspora, as it has long been a crucial point raised by Sinn Féin. Conor Murphy recently called for a change in the constitution, claiming Irish citizens are being "disenfranchised" by being excluded from the decision.

Indeed. People in the north can say they're Irish, but they're often viewed as anything but.

Gerry "Mainland" Armstrong

Gerry Armstrong, "Catholic Player Mentor"

Did you ever hear the one about "poaching"?

That's right, the one where elements within the IFA and hordes of Northern Ireland fans propounded the notion that their neighbouring association, the FAI, was involved in nefarious activity around the football pitches of the north. Apparently scouts were sneaking into football grounds draped in their FAI apparel, (hoping not to be seen, mind you) with a notepad in hand, checking off the "Catholic-sounding names" in a bid to fulfil the FAI's cunning plan to "sectarianise" football in Ireland. The 'Child-Catcher from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang was even used by some IFA fans to describe their theory.

Let that image sink in.

I wish I could say that I was jesting, but this is exactly the type of paranoid nonsense that emanated from those quarters. Amazingly that delusional school of thought continues to prevail among some sections of the Northern Ireland fan-base. I wonder then, did they feel that overwhelming wave of irony as it washed over them when Gerry Armstrong was appointed as the IFA's new Elite Player Mentor?

Armstrong has been quite vocal in his opposition to footballers from the north playing for the FAI. He has also been quite vocal about what kind of tasks his new post demands. When James McClean announced his intentions to wait for a call up to the FAI, Gerry told us that it was imperative that he and James "have a chat".

It is also rumoured that Armstrong has been approaching players who are currently in the FAI set up, some of whom having just played for the FAI as recently as two weeks ago, about switching to the IFA.

What's that other one about the black kettle?

*Just to clarify, Gerry "Mainland" Armstrong is a nod to Gerry's referral to Britain as "the mainland".

Grizzly Madman

Treadwell and Huguenard

Last night I watched Werner Herzog's documentary film, Grizzly Man. It tells the tale of Timothy Treadwell, full-time lunatic and bear-lover, who spent a remarkable 13 summers living in a tent near Grizzly Bears in Alaska, before meeting his demise at the jaws of a hungry bear. His girlfriend, Amie Huguenard, who was with him, was also savagely killed and eaten.

Throughout the film, I felt the urge to roar at the outright stupidity of Treadwell. Here was a self-proclaimed protector of bears, a "kind warrior" against the injustices of poaching. A man who filmed himself with the disingenuous intention of portraying himself as alone in the wilderness (in fact he had a few human companions), nobly forced into action by the inaction of the government. He was in no way to be considered an expert on bears. The man was simply a delusional fanatic.

One of the men interviewed candidly talked about how Treadwell "got what he deserved", and in a way he's got a point. To view monstrous beasts who are guided by instinct as rational, understanding friends is the height of lunacy.

As Herzog observes, Treadwell was a man who sought meaning in life but ended up pursuing a deathwish. Some might wax lyrical about how he died doing what he loved, but I'm not so sure. There's nothing poetic about getting yourself and your girlfriend eaten by a bear.

All Hail Tom Elliott, Martyr

To paraphrase Alan Partridge,
he looks like an evil headmaster

In recent days, the media has seen fit to give coverage to the fact that the Orange Order may punish two of its high-profile members for attending a Catholic funeral ceremony. Those two members are Ulster Unionist politicians, Danny Kennedy and Tom Elliott.

Interestingly however, Tom Elliott is being portrayed as a martyr, who does the “honourable thing”, because he's an outstanding leader and an all-round down-to-earth nice guy. “No regrets”, says he.

It would be rather easy to get sucked into the atmosphere of righteousness if one resided in a bubble, but two things in particular come to mind, aside from the fact that all he did was attend a funeral.

Firstly, let's not forget that Tom Elliott is actually a member of the Orange Order – a zealous and archaic religious institution which actually resembles a twisted type of old boys' club not too dissimilar to the club in the children's classic, Little Rascals.

Secondly, we should remember that this is the same man whose so-called brilliant leadership involves childishly branding his political opponents and their supporters as “scum” for mildly celebrating electoral success with cheers and flag-waving.

Lovely guy right? Pure martyr.

He went to the funeral of a Catholic policeman. Big deal.

Speaking in Tongues

Being woken at 4:30am by the startling sound of the bin crashing to the ground and the rubbish making its escape on the howling wind isn't comforting. I simply couldn't sleep with the prospect of the two entirely full bins littering the street, so I got up and brought them into the back garden. As I made my way into college a few hours later, I was gripped by a sense of foreboding. Angry winds swept along the road, growling and whipping at the temerity of those few who dared to brave the elements. I passed a huge tree that had been uprooted during the night and watched in awe as tree-surgeons frantically tried to remove branches and debris from the road, while needles of rain stabbed relentlessly at my eyes. As I crossed the the river the wind assumed a sense of urgency, seemingly intent on slowing me down, but I soldiered on. Talk about pathetic fallacy.

Over the Summer, I decided to undertake a Masters in Classics, feeling that the course will allow me to explore, professionally, subjects which are of great interest to me; ancient history, cultures and their lasting significance to the modern world. A concern that has emerged, however, is that I am expected to learn Latin and Ancient Greek. A daunting prospect indeed. The idea behind learning these languages, of course, makes absolute sense: if you can read ancient texts in their original language, you can make your own interpretation. Cut out the middle-man.

I studied French and German at secondary school and I excelled. I didn't particularly enjoy the study of modern languages – it didn't enthral me - but I was good at it. In fact, I was actually about to study both subjects at A-Level in St. Columb's before, on the first day of sixth-form, the snide demeanour of my French teacher put me off studying the language altogether – I can still remember the condescending look I got. I picked up Ancient History instead and the rest is, well funnily, Ancient History. The problem I have with learning languages, is that become too easily frustrated by the fact that I cannot express myself as well, so imagine the joy I felt when stumbling and stuttering over the Greek alphabet in my first class. Hence my consternation. The modules in Ancient Greek and Latin are beginner level, but learning any language requires a patience that I do not possess.

I still have to do it though and as I did through the storm winds of Hurricane Katia, sometimes you just have to put your head down and soldier on.

From Russia with... Hope.

Richard Dunne is the kind of player you want in your team. He's a fearless warrior who leads by example, inspiring his comrades to rise above their stations and his all-action performance in Moscow consolidates his position in the pantheon of Irish sporting legends. Even the great Paul McGrath has bowed in respect of his efforts. However, the result of 0-0 is ludicrously deceptive.

In a sense, the heroics of Dunne distract from the problems and limitations of the team as a whole: left back and central midfield are still headache positions. Stephen Ward, a player who many felt capable of filling the void, was caught out too often defensively and his contribution going forward was utterly abysmal - his failings forced a performance out of Aiden McGeady. Indeed, at times he made Kevin Kilbane look exceptional. In midfield, of Glenn Whelan and Keith Andrews, the latter clattered and lumbered his way about the pitch throughout the game, broadcasting his inability to time a tackle or play a decent pass. Yes, he can block a shot, but so could a dummy. As for the former, I'm not sure if he even put his foot on the ball.

Like so many Irish fans, I grew frustrated as I painfully watched the unfolding of the game on RTÉ. Darragh Maloney's meek acceptance of inferiority didn't help my frustration either, as he happily declared it a marvelous achievement to have not conceded a goal. No Darragh, that is not what Ireland should consider an achievement. Nor is stringing several passes together and creating no chances (that's right no chances) to be construed as a "bright spell". A bright spell is dominance of possession, shots on target and an achievement, in my eyes, is a win.

In the end, what Trapattoni will be judged on, is whether or not he was able to guide Ireland to the final stages of a major competition. He came close in Paris, 2009 and is doing just about enough in the current campaign. Ireland's chances of qualification have been aided considerably by the increasingly capricious nature of international football. Group B is one of the most open qualifying groups I've ever seen. Indeed, who could have predicted Slovakia defeating Russia away only for them to lose 4-0 at home to Armenia? In this regard, Trapattoni has been ridiculously lucky, but that's football. Or maybe it's all the praying he does. St Patrick helped this time, he says. Who knows?

After the dire performance which led to a draw at home to Slovakia, I forsaw a draw or a loss to Russia and an end to Ireland's qualification hopes. We saw a repeat of the performance, but luckily Richard Dunne was there to back up his talk with action. And robust action it was, enough for 11 men, but I never imagined that Slovakia would be trounced by Armenia in such a fashion at home. My cynical genes have since been softened by a spurt of cautious optimism, but Ireland still have to beat Armenia at home, which won't be as easy as some might expect. Armenia have scored 17 goals and only conceded one more than Ireland in this group. They defeated Slovakia convincingly both home and away, while Ireland only managed draws.

It's there for the taking, but remember, as they say in the business, it's a funny old game.

Why invest in chance? Russian Roulette is Overrated

The Irish always talk a good game, but the gift of the gab won't prevent defeat in Moscow. Actions speak louder than words, after all.

In the headlines, Richard Dunne solemnly promises the fans a repeat of that performance in Paris, 2009. A game which, one hastens to add, finished 1-1, with Ireland missing out on a place in the World Cup as a result. Certainly, Ireland were undeniably outstanding for most of the second leg, but crucially, with dubious circumstances aside, they simply did not do enough to progress through to the World Cup finals. "Typical Ireland", as Roy Keane would say. They lacked that killer instinct, the unremitting desire to succeed, the winning mentality.

Hold on, surely that's wrong? Isn't Giovanni Trapattoni constantly reminding us of the importance of "mentality" in his team? Trapattoni's record speaks for itself - he's won an enviable amount of accolades and trophies - but we must remember that he is not infallible and he cannot work miracles, despite his connection to Opus Dei. Indeed, he'd have you believe that the mentality of the Irish team has improved almost exponentially since he and Marco Tardelli took over; we always play to win, he says. Results beg to differ, however, and the grim truth is plain to see: Ireland struggle to win when it matters. Two draws against Slovakia and an embarrassing home defeat to Russia.

It pains me to say it, but it seems that Ireland just aren't good enough. Gone are the "Glory Days". If qualification for a major tournament eludes the wily Giovanni Trapattoni, it is probably safe to say that it will be a little while longer before it is achieved. Shay Given is one of the greatest goalkeepers of the last decade while John O'Shea and Richard Dunne are seasoned professionals with a wealth of experience behind them. Damien Duff and Aiden McGeady are players who provide that spark of creativity in midfield and Robbie Keane has scored more than his fair share of goals throughout his career. And Trapattoni has struggled to assemble a team around that formidable backbone to qualify or even stake a strong claim for qualification.

The reason for this is clear: Ireland does not possess a prodigiously talented pool of players who are desperate to play for their country. This was painstakingly showcased against Russia at home and against Slovakia at home.

Ireland must win against Russia, but it will not be an easy task. Stephen Kelly and Darren O'Dea come into the defence to replace John O'Shea and Sean St. Ledger. Trapattoni sings O'Dea's praises, "I like him. His mentality is strong and he is good in the air, so I am confident about him.", but while O'Dea might be a fearless, hard-hitting defender,  he has never performed consistently at the highest level and struggled for years to become a regular at Celtic. Irish fans will be forgiven for not sharing the confidence of Trapattoni. The sturdy defender talks a good game and declares his conviction that Ireland will, without doubt, be in Poland and Ukraine next year. After the last performance against Slovakia however, the chances of that have dropped.

While the defence has been dealt a weakening blow, the real danger area remains midfield. Throughout Trapattoni's tenure, the central midfield pairing in particular has been consistently dreadful, both creating and preventing absolutely nothing. Russia waltzed through the midfield at will when they came to Dublin, scoring 3 goals without reply, while Slovakia also ran riot in midfield, reducing Whelan and Andrews to mere spectres, chasing shadows.

If Ireland are to come away from Russia with a result, they have to back up the bravado. They have to walk the walk as well as talk the talk.

Thoughts from Eyre Square, Galway (00:02am, 26.07.11)

Be careful not to get trampled

I made my way through the herds of alcohol drenched zombies, glancing occasionally through the open bar doors that allowed the potent mixture of poor live band sounds and drunken rambling to filter out into the street, momentarily crippling my ear drums. Gaggling groups of girls would gingerly navigate their path through the hysteria looking as though each one was on the brink of losing balance as she walked a tightrope.

Cattle.

Their high-heels clunked and clicked like hooves on tiles as they're ushered onto the various dancefloors and the males behaved like impatient bulls. Awaiting slaughter.

It's not amazing or shocking. Distressing and sickening are words more befitting the scene. You have to be in an altered state of mind to enjoy this shit. You might even blend in. Put a loser in a decent suit, feed him three pints and he's closer to being the Führer than the useless degree-devaluer that he'll be the next day. Bizarre. We're all assholes from time to time. That's life. What annoys me are those unrepentent pricks who make it a vocation.

Irish nationals playing for the Football Association of Ireland? Get outta town!

Former Derry City and current Sunderland player, James McClean

It's an issue that was seemingly resolved in the summer of 2010, but the practice of Irish nationals playing for the Irish national team (that is, the FAI) amazingly continues to incite a capricious whirlwind of hysterical furore.

Over a year later and there still exists a hardcore element of the Northern Ireland support who maintain that, somehow, FIFA are acting contrary to their own rules and mindlessly facilitating a so-called "loop-hole", despite the numerous clarifications that have since surfaced. The Belfast Telegraph, known to be extremely sympathetic to the IFA's cause, is possibly one of the chief offenders in this regard, continuously peddling myths and misinformation about the "eligibility row". It is simply perturbing to think that such ignorance prevails in a period where information is so readily available. These ignorant hacks could do everyone a favour and educate themselves by having a read of Daniel Collins' extensive article, Player Eligibility in the Context of Ireland. Or, if their political sensibilities are easily upset, they could simply read over the report issued by the Court of Arbitration for Sport in the aftermath of the IFA -v- Daniel Kearns case. It's obvious that many have not.

For some, while the issue of eligibility is settled, the idea that the "flow" needs to be "stemmed" is beginning to emerge. The IFA has employed former Northern Ireland international, Gerry Armstrong, as a kind of pastoral officer (humorously titled "Elite Player Mentor") whose objective is to dissuade potential "defectors". Armstrong is said to come from a nationalist background, but he has been vocal in his support of the IFA.

"If a player wants to play for the Republic of Ireland then that is his view and he’s entitled to it but we need to cast the net wide and make sure players feel a sense of belonging with Northern Ireland... Perhaps peer pressure is influencing them but we need to talk to them, understand why they are thinking the way they are and encourage them that they can wear the Northern Ireland shirt with pride."

While Armstrong is something of a cult hero among Northern Ireland supporters, having played 63 times, scoring 13 goals, he is generally not held in the same esteem by those who have grown up solely supporting the Republic of Ireland, so it will be interesting to see how he is received when he incredulously enquires why the likes of Shane Duffy, Darron Gibson and James McClean would rather play for their country.

 

It is insulting to read articles in the media of the southern state advocating division and the effective exclusion of Irish nationals from playing for the Irish national team. Paul Rowan for example, who has covered the "eligibility row" in great detail, recently wrote of how "more must be done to stem the flow of players from the North to the Republic", claiming that the likes of Martin O'Neill, Mal Donaghy and Pat Jennings (all of whom are brazenly assumed to be Catholics) played for Northern Ireland without objection (Sunday Times, A division of loyalty, 14.08.11). Of course, how true that is, is open to debate; players are entirely able to have enjoyed their experience but at the same time to have held certain reservations.

 

There is no doubting that the whole saga has produced a lifetime of drama. However, the outcome of the IFA -v- Daniel Kearns CAS case has, after all these years, provided a degree of finality that should be respected.  Nobody likes a sore loser, so the IFA and its fans should leave the bitterness to lemons and get on with things.

Born Cynic?

I was ruffling through a selection of old files and folders from my first year at college and came across a short piece of writing which made me chuckle. The cynicism runs so deep in me, that it is quite difficult to discern whether I actually possess an inherent hateful disposition, or if it was learned from a young age. There is no date on the page, but it is definitely from the college year of 2008/2009, when I entered college.
_________________________________________________________________

Sat here in the lecture hall, listening to this substitute lecturer ramble on about the form and content of a sub-standard poem, a poem that an enthusiastic 16 year old would easily understand, I am driven to writing this little blurb in order to occupy my mind. My mind had the seeming clairvoyance to anticipate what was to be discussed and due to the fact that I know most of the literary devices at the disposal of poets and such, the futility of my being here is extremely evident. However, I suppose that by creating this nonsensical piece of writing, there is at least one positive outcome of my decision to attend my 1 O'Clock English lecture.

I hate to tempt fate (I'll do it anyway) but surely these courses in Arts at NUI are ridiculously easy; certainly not what I expected from a third level course. I understand that these once respectable buildings which, at one time, housed the honourable pursuit of knowledge, have since become mere machines, churning out drones with the 'aptitude' of carrying out what are actually menial tasks. In actuality, these drones believe themselves to be adequately qualified and to my amusement (though sometimes disgust) they act - emphasis on act - as if they are actually intelligent. They are led to this assumption by the 'educational' institutions around the world who teach them the basics shrouded in a veil of complication.

Another Day in Paradise

11/07/11

Even in times of 'Peace', riots, shootings and civil unrest are not uncommon sights around Northern Ireland. The words dominate the headlines, especially during the infamous marching season, and no one bats an eye-lid – just another day in paradise. However, is there an underlying reason for the recent spate of violence and discontent?

Several weeks ago it emerged that the loyalist paramilitary organisation, the UVF, had effectively orchestrated a prolonged series of riots in an interface area in the predominantly unionist East Belfast. Shots were fired and various missiles were hurled. Members of the nationalist enclave in the Short Strand area of East Belfast claimed that their community was effectively under siege and enraged youths responded in kind. There were even murmurs that republican paramilitaries had also fired shots and a daring (or stupid, depending on how you see it) photographer fell victim to the cross-fire.

The UVF had allegedly decommissioned and were said to be giving peace a go. Why, then, did this happen? Progressive Unionist* [sic] member Jim Wilson asserted that it is largely because Loyalism has been “pushed outside” the peace process. Pushed outside by whom, one asks? Of course, Wilson is probably alluding to the increasing pressure on loyalist paramilitaries from the Historical Enquiries Team, the growing intensity of investigations into organised crime linked to loyalists and of course, how could we forget the ever-contentious issue of parades? It is no longer a case of one rule for one and one rule for the other.

If Loyalism is being pushed outside the peace process, it is by a thing called common sense and the will of the people, not that common sense and the will of the people usually go hand in hand. This time, it appears that they do. What is happening, as the chariots of time drag us all into the future, is a blatant shift in the dynamic of the north. Guns have been generally laid down and people are beginning to see the merits of compromise, genuinely seeking to build a better future.

One of the biggest barriers to this evolving dynamic is the attitude of Loyalism and it is probably the reason why we are seeing an increase in violence from that element of society. Compromise is seen to be a concession to the lesser people and concession is seen to be a symptom of weakness. Weakness in character, principle and values. Weakness in the union with Britain? Who knows?

What is certain, however, is that this changing dynamic has ensured that the days of one party rule are gone. We'll never have a sectarian, archaic old boys' club running things again, if we're lucky. Just another day in paradise.

*A misnomer if ever there was one.

What's small, but massive?

Glasgowbury is a way of life for many - just ask Paddy Glasgow - but it is also a pilgrimage; a rite of passage.
   
    Those who have not experienced a music festival will, perhaps, be oblivious to its allure and probably scoff at the idea of a rambunctious, raucous gathering of all-sorts in the shadow of Eagles Rock being in any way sacred, but it is. Briefly consider the various things that people have previously held up as being sacred. Consider fasting and excruciating acts of mountain-climbing. Croagh Patrick, for example. How people thought that climbing that barefoot would invoke a spiritual awakening is beyond me. The view is certainly breathtaking, but I’d prefer to wear proper footwear. Ultimately it’s glorified masochism.

    I don’t intend to completely depreciate the merits of a barefoot uphill battle as a path to enlightenment, but there are other ways, and Glasgowbury is certainly one. I’ve been to several Glasgowbury festivals and each has undoubtedly surpassed the last. I could write a book of reasons as to why it should be considered a pilgrimage, but time constraints and earthly priorities dictate that I narrow it down for the sake of this article.

    The music, of course, is the primary attraction. The festival has been described by Hot Press magazine as ’an annual celebration of all that’s best in Irish music culture’ and there is no doubt about that. Musicians of all hues, from all over the island, descend upon the valley and unleash their souls. Literally. The scintillating energy is absorbed into the environment and it creates an electrifying atmosphere in which everyone delights. Derry has been extremely well represented in past festivals, which is a testament to the preponderance of talent in this little corner of the world. Fighting With Wire, the prodigious rock trio, have been consistent performers at the festival, bringing their exuberant style to the stage. Heavy metal group, Triggerman, are also veterans of the Glasgowbury stage. Others such as the eccentric Here Comes The Landed Gentry, the bluesy Swanee River and Celtic Thunder’s Keith Harkin have all performed. Actress and songbird, Bronagh Gallagher and Paul Casey are also among the Derry contingent to have performed over the years.

    In between visiting stages and soaking up the sheer vitality of the occasion, if you happen to be in need of unwinding (or if you’re just old…), you can relax and indulge in some holistic therapy, such as reflexology. There are also creative spaces in which festival-goers can personalize banners and t-shirts, or even their own faces. In addition to the wide variety of genres on show, these alternative activities complement the far-reaching appeal of the festival. Indeed, it is little wonder that Glasgowbury has collected various Irish Festival Awards, including winning the Best Family and Best Service categories for three consecutive years. Not bad for a wee event based in Draperstown.

    It is not only the festival music and entertainment that makes Glasgowbury a worthy pilgrimage. Indeed, while the mellifluous vibes are a massive factor, perhaps the most important element of the occasion, is the people who attend. The campsite becomes one of the most vibrant areas in the valley, as the all-sorts from all-over mingle and socialize. Most of the musicians actually camp with the spectators - I recall a campsite sing-a-long of about fifty people around a tepee with Keith Harkin, Bap from Triggerman and Fighting With Wire, where ’Hey Jude’ was sung ad nauseam - but other aspiring musicians often come equipped with their own sounds. In fact, I’m almost sure a neighbouring group of campers erected a makeshift stage from cardboard boxes one year. Innovative flags can be seen on display, which, I’m told, are often used as a beacon for the inebriated who tend to lose themselves in the euphoria of it all.  

     Only a few months after the hullabaloo of elections, with the dust now settled, it is interesting, and perhaps appropriate, to conclude with the fact that Assembly candidate Eamonn McCann once described Glasgowbury as ‘…an annual eruption of collective joy, an occasion for stepping out en masse from straight-jacketed society to share in the sense of freedom and couldn’t-carelessness that comes from sloughing off the rules that confine and constrict and aim to categorise us all’.
    So there you have it - at least one politico is an advocate of the Glasgowbury experience. That’s a start, I suppose.

This year’s Glasgowbury will take place on the 23rd of July, with over 50 acts performing over 5 stages. Tickets are priced at £30 (Day Ticket) and £40 (Festival&Camping) and are available from HMV stores nationwide. For more information check out the official Glasgowbury website, www.glasgowbury.com

By Ryan Kelly

'Round and 'Round the Merry-Go-Round goes...

And the merry-go-round goes ‘round and ‘round. No sign of stopping, it seems.

The indignation expressed by many Northern Ireland fans regarding the so-called ‘Eligibility Row’ shows no signs of waning and it will only be to the detriment of the IFA. In an age where the internet pervades almost every aspect of our lives, the anger can, perhaps, be most loudly heard on online forums, social-networking sites and blogs. The target of this outrage is primarily the Football Association of Ireland, but the players who have made the switch from the IFA to the FAI have also found themselves denounced.

The FAI has been ludicrously portrayed as a sort of sinister child-catching agency, luring naïve young men from football pitches around Northern Ireland in a bid to ensure that the IFA’s team becomes exclusively Protestant. Please, hold the laughter. Players, meanwhile, have had their characters denigrated with all sorts of accusations being thrown their way. Sectarian mercenaries, is what most are being called. All this for legitimately, and one would think reasonably, opting to play for their national team - nothing too serious, right?

Preston North End player Adam Barton is the latest in a line of players who have switched to the FAI from the IFA and, as such, he has been the hot-topic for fans to discuss. However, when the whole affair came to the fore in the Spring of 2010, it was Shane Duffy who became the target for criticism. When it was announced that Duffy would rather play for the FAI, the then 18 year old was branded a sectarian ‘Judas’ by Northern Ireland fans. Just over a year later it seems that the sour taste has yet to be washed away.

The social-networking website, Twitter, has allowed footballers and all kinds of celebrities greater interaction with their fans. Fans revel in this access and even a cursory glance at some pages is enough to demonstrate the excitement that fans get when their favourite player replies to their comments. However, it isn’t always nice, as Shane Duffy was to find. While he was taking part in preparations for a game, Duffy was subject to a tirade from an evidently incensed Northern Ireland fan, who stated that the 19 year old was a ’prick’ who did not deserve to play for his country. When Duffy replied, informing the fellow that he didn’t know what he was talking about, he was subject to further harassment. I feel that the angry fan’s words should be quoted verbatim in order to expose the pettiness (if you can, try to look past the poor grammar, spelling and punctuation - I’m sure it was difficult for the man to find clarity when embarking on a good old rant).

“lol… Im not your mate. U turned your back on your country. If u wanted to play for eire why did u ever play for ni at school boy level? Some other lad could have played in your place, prob would have given their right arm to do so. Anyhow u wouldnt have got on… Once everton release u and u don’t get off da bench for eire u will wake up and say, “shane, I made a mistake. I was a silly little boy”

Granted, this was the only occurrence of this kind of harassment on Duffy‘s personal Twitter page, but it undoubtedly reflects a view that has been expressed vehemently by a number of Northern Ireland fans on a variety of internet forums. Those who hold such views often protest that they are entitled to their opinion, but the simple fact is that such short-sightedness is a certain hindrance to the IFA, as it will discourage more players from wanting to play for them in the future.


In Duffy’s case, Northern Ireland fans seem to take offence at the fact that in an interview with the Irish Times shortly after his switch to the FAI, Duffy remarked that everyone in the Northern Ireland set-up had known that he was a Catholic and that he wanted to play for Ireland. The comment itself, from a naïve 18 year-old no less, was harmless, but there is a section of the Northern Ireland support who are intent on the vilification of Duffy, by twisting his words to present the kid as opportunistic, sinister and sectarian. Of course, it’s probably easier for those fans to engage in such disparagement than to look at the reasons why a young player might not have such a strong desire to play for the IFA. Indeed anyone familiar with football and society in Northern Ireland would have known Duffy was from such a background - at under-age games, his head, along with many others’, would be bowed low during the playing of the divisive anthem, ‘God Save the Queen’. Such a sight must surely cause severe embarrassment among the IFA chiefs and fans, yet there is still no sign of a change. Duffy had also shown indications that he wanted to switch the FAI from the ages of 16 and 17, but was persuaded to stick around by his coaches and Nigel Worthington, who offered him ‘carrot-caps’ as an incentive - tactical capping, as it is now known.

Duffy declared for the FAI at the ripe age of 18. That’s right, eighteen. And this after having played for the IFA representative teams for little over two years. It is now over a year later. It’s time for the IFA and its fans to wise up and move on.

Response to Belfast Telegraph view of the 'Eligibility Row'

March 2011

On 4th March 2011, the Belfast Telegraph saw fit to run several stories on the much publicized disagreement (popularly dubbed the ‘Eligibility Row’) between the Irish Football Association and FIFA along with the Football Association of Ireland. There was, it seemed, no apparent catalyst for this sudden flurry of articles, as it was a dispute that was supposedly settled in the Summer of 2010 when the IFA foolishly took the FAI and FIFA to the Swiss-based Court of Arbitration for Sport, and lost. Indeed, they lost emphatically so, and it was a foregone conclusion for all, except the IFA.

One article, by Stuart McKinley, was entitled ‘Northern Ireland anger as Republic pick Celtic’s George’. Paul George, who had previously represented the IFA schoolboys, opted to declare for the FAI several months ago and the tabloid newspaper the Irish Star covered the story at the time. Around that time, it was Derry-born Shane Duffy and Belfast-born Daniel Kearns who dominated the headlines with their decision to change association, so perhaps that is why the younger, more obscure, Paul George slipped under the Belfast Telegraph’s radar. Some days after McKinley‘s article was published, the FAI under-17 manager John Morling announced a squad which included George. Evidently, it was this relatively minor, and I hasten to add, completely legitimate, event which sparked ‘anger’ in the Belfast Telegraph headquarters. Indeed, this supposed ‘anger’ seems to have been fairly restricted to the employees of Belfast Telegraph, because there was very little, if any, reaction elsewhere.

McKinley has consistently shown himself to be rather lazy in his reporting of the ‘Eligibility Row’. Although FIFA’s statutes governing national team eligibility have been repeatedly and painstakingly explained, with the IFA’s reading of them dismissed as incorrect, McKinley continues to trot out the same old ignorance in his articles - a strange thing indeed. For example, in his most recent article, McKinley erroneously writes:

The world governing body gave the FAI the green light to cherry pick players born in Northern Ireland, despite FIFA’s own statutes dictating that either a player himself, one of his parents or a grandparent must be born on the ‘territory of the relevant association’ in order to play for that country.

One might be forgiven, considering the unexpected nature of the articles, for thinking that such misleading reportage was part of a deliberate attempt to ensure that the supposedly settled issue remains an ongoing one, plaguing Irish football. Certainly, it might even appear, to those of a more cynical hue, that the Belfast Telegraph was shamelessly trying to create an escalation of tension before the upcoming Carling Nations Cup fixture between Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland in May. It is, of course, difficult to be sure. Nevertheless, what is sure is that the decision of an Irish national to play for the Football Association of Ireland is not particularly newsworthy stuff, especially now that the matter has finally been resolved by the highest known authority. To persist with the issue at this stage is to flog the proverbial dead horse.

Trevor Ringland also had an opinion piece printed on the same day, presumably to complement McKinley’s flimsy article. Ringland’s piece boldly asserts the view that the FAI ‘are in danger of making Northern Ireland a Protestant team - instead of a mixed team - by taking away these young players’ - a staggeringly ludicrous claim without foundation in reality. Indeed, there is absolutely no indication or developing trend which points to the conclusion of an exclusively Protestant Northern Ireland team. The FAI have been selecting northern-born Irish nationals since the mid-1990s (Belfast-man Ger Crossley and Derry-man, Mark McKeever, for example) and in 2011, we still see a ‘mixed’ Northern Ireland team. Ringland, who is a former Ireland rugby star and unionist politician, is carelessly placing the blame on the FAI for what is simply the socio-political reality of Northern Ireland society. Ringland claims that the stance of the FAI ‘is undermining the good work of so many others’ in relation to football in Northern Ireland. One wonders that, when Ringland refers to ‘good work of so many others’, does he mean the continued use of ‘God Save the Queen’ as an anthem by the IFA? Or the insistence on using an unofficial, divisive flag to represent the team? It is not the FAI who is in danger of making Northern Ireland a Protestant team, it is the IFA.

Ringland’s understanding of the situation contradicts his normally liberal attitude. In fact, one could argue that Ringland misunderstands the whole scenario. His ’initial reaction’ demonstrates a fundamental ignorance:

Extreme disappointment would be my initial reaction to this latest development. It’s like an Ulster player deciding to switch to Munster or a Down player deciding to switch to Tyrone.

Ringland’s analogy is applicable only in the sense that the players in question have made a switch to a team, that, only to those like Ringland, is perceived to be a rival; for the players in question however, unlike Ringland, the FAI team represents a natural choice of national team. In the spirit of progress and in appreciation of identity, this is a fact that must be respected.

I’ll conclude with what I deem to be a rather interesting observation. For one reason or another, the Belfast Telegraph did not include an alternative viewpoint on the matter. With articles accusing the FAI of strengthening social division, the lack of balanced viewpoints is disappointing, for, while the newspaper is recognised as moderately unionist in political alignment, it would surely be in the interest of proper integration to offer a ‘mixed’ view.