There is clearly a cynicism about it all but the association here is only doing what most of its rivals also do and managers must play the game in order to ensure that they get the strongest team possible out on the pitch. Had Rice gone the same way nobody would have given him a second thought. Many, like Rice, are approached at an early age, quite a few accept the invitation and after a couple of caps a fair proportion are never heard of again. Since then, the FAI has developed a network of scouts whose main aim is to spot players who are eligible to declare for Ireland. ![]() Things were certainly more simple through the first few decades after 1922 when only players born on the island represented the Republic of Ireland but nobody is seriously suggesting that we get back to that (are they?) and the world is a rather more complicated place than it was in 1965 when Shay Brennan made his debut. Unless you can say, hand on heart, that you would rather lose with a team whose motives are beyond question you are going to sit at least a little uneasy on a high horse.Īnd even then, how would you start to police it?ĭeclan Rice in action for the Repubic of Ireland in a friendly against the USA at the Aviva Stadium. ![]() English sniping about the FAI standing for "Find An Irishman," always rang a little hollow and now seems completely laughable given their own recruitment policies across the codes but that is modern day sport for you.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |