Are you actually trying to imply rugby isn't a real sport? So what if it wasn't mentioned in the NY Times, the Irish Independent doesn't exactly do a full spread on the NFL so does that mean Americans shouldn't take the NFL seriously? And you really do show up your own ignorance with your last comment considering the USA are actually playing Ireland next weekend!
On the article about the young Irish goalie at Liverpool you state he should be starting for Ireland despite the fact he has absolutely no experience yet you wouldn't be willing to give a chance to a Manager who has been successful at a number of club's, has managed in the Europa League and has actually won trophies? Well done, that's some really sound logic right there!
Sexton has won every throphy available to him this year, he was a driving force in each of the competitions and his importance was shown during the summer tour to Australia, there's literally nothing more he could have done to win world player of the year. Then again it was the same for O'Driscoll in 2009. Barrett is a top class playmaker without doubt but given that he is the kicker for the team, his kicking stats aren't overly impressive this year and he didn't have too many stand out games in the Super Rugby this season either. I wonder if it's telling that in a just over 3mins video, he was shown for over 40secs whereas the rest barely got 30secs each?!
Hazard, Jorginho and Kante play in the premier league and each one would get into both the City and Liverpool teams you ignorant clown.
You do realise there's other quality players in the world than just those who play for City and Liverpool don't you? And also that City and Liverpool aren't the barometer on which the quality of a player is judged?
Plus they're in the same pot.
I'm not sure what you mean by "lads like Rice"....if you mean English born but wants to play for Ireland I'm all for it, I don't care where a player is from if he is committed to and wants to represent Ireland. If you mean English born, plays for Ireland because he doesn't get an opportunity with his home country or subsequently gets the opportunity and has to think about it, then let him declare for that country and best of luck to him. I agree about not wanting to miss the Euros or World Cups but if a player isn't fully committed to the cause, I wouldn't be relying on them to roll their sleeves up in a crucial play-off if it were to arise. You also have to factor in squad harmony, there's some proud Irish lads in the squad who most likely won't take too kindly this (and it's not just McClean) therefore it could have a negative impact there too if Rice was to return.
That's the thing though Seany, playing international football isn't, or at least shouldn't be, about playing for the sake of it. It's about representing the country you identify with, support and are loyal to, it isn't like club football. A player shouldn't have a fallback option just to call themselves an international. If a player has the option, they should first decide which country they want to represent - if they're good enough, they'll make it, if they're not good enough then they should work harder to get there. If Rice was true to his word based on past interviews he would have told Southgate 'no thanks' as soon as he contacted him. I personally believe that by turning down the call-up this time, he has made his decision. He'll have his reasons and best of luck to him. We should move on with the committed players we have.
I believe Damien Duff gave the best assessment of Pogba when he said Pogba has world class ability but he'll never be considered a world class player because he can let his team down too often.
That being said, and to be fair to Pogba, he had an excellent tournament and deserves the plaudits he has been getting.
It will be interesting to see if he can produce the same assured performances at club level.
Well done Dundalk from a Sligo Rovers supporter. Any win away in Europe is a good result. Hopefully the home leg won't cause too many problems and ye get a decent draw in the next round.
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