IT HAS EMERGED today that Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness believes an all-Ireland soccer team is the way forward.
McGuinness said that “soccer on the island would be much better served it we had an all-Ireland league”.
The issue of players from the North declaring their allegiances to the Republic of Ireland soccer team has been a topic of contention in recent months, however such a move would put an end to this debate.
And should the idea transpire, it would not be the first time an all-Ireland soccer team has taken to the field – a Shamrock Rovers XI comprising of players from both sides lost 4-3 to Brazil in a friendly match in 1973.
Many notable soccer personalities, including the late George Best, have also expressed their support for the idea in the past.
So, we’re asking if you agree with Martin McGuinness. Should there be an All-Ireland soccer team?
It’d be a bit unfair on fans in the North, being dragged down to Dublin to watch matches and sitting through Ireland’s call.
From a football point of view, it’d mean an increased player pool, but is it practical politically? I’m led to believe, though I’m open to correction, that Norn Irish football has a significant unionist fan base, with many in the nationalist community supporting the ROI. It seems, therefore, that merging the national sides could be divisive rather than inclusive. I’d worry about trouble with players from a merged Irish side signing with Celtic or Rangers.
I think a far better idea, for now, is to merge the struggling leagues. An all-Ireland league of 10 teams would mean more high-profile matches, creating new rivalries over time and bolstering gate receipts. The water has been tested for this with the Setanta Cup, and behaviour has been good. While spectator numbers can be less than for high-profile league games, I think the creation of the Setanta Cup always had an eye on a merged league at some point in the future.
With a merged cup you’d have the prospect of alternating Dublin and Belfast finals. All of these scenarios would effectively test the water for mixing fans regularly and I think would grow a respect for the game in each others’ countries.
What about fans in Cork or Kerry being dragged up to Dublin to sit through Ireland’s call? Belfast is, what, an hour and a half away?
The Republic’s national stadium is in Dublin and the North’s is in Belfast. Where you come from in the Republic is irrelevant, we play in Dublin no matter what. A combined team means someone has to move from their home stadium. I doubt either side wants to do that.
So stick the stadium in Athlone then
Im indifferent really, doesnt bother me if they were joined together or kept apart.
I’m not sure.
On the plus side the team would better.
There are a few negatives though. There will be less opportunity for players to represent their country. The individual teams have their own histories. It would mean less fans attend the games with only 1 team rather than 2. Lansdowne or Windsor?
It’d be a hassle. Merging the leagues would be a good start. I’m not sure the total benefit outweighs the negatives.
I stand to be corrected, but I believe that soccer is the only sport on the island that is separated and not represented on a whole island basis
Gaelic football isnt played in Killkenny ;-)
Has to be up to the players, if there is no demand, leave it.
alternate stadia for games..simples. if there was another quality stadium on island in addition to thomond aviva tallaght (which i believe can be extended to near 20000 capacity..open to correction) then histing a tournament with say Wales would be a distinct possibility
I’m indifferent also, so long as we are called Ireland and not roi on TV3.