DERRY CITY MANAGER Kenny Shiels has questioned the eligibility of some of Ireland’s players, describing international football as “diabolical.”
“International football’s not what it used to be. There’s no pride in it anymore because you could have a pint of Guinness and play for Ireland,” Shiels said.
“It doesn’t interest me one bit, not one bit. The Republic of Ireland are England reserves and Northern Ireland are England’s reserves’ reserves. It’s diabolical. I’ve no time for it all.”
The former Kilmarnock manager however was full of praise for Dundalk’s Daryl Horgan, after his side lost 3-1 to Dundalk, despite the winger being left out of Martin O’Neill’s 33-man squad.
“He’s a very good player, you can’t take that away from him.
“He’ll probably, hopefully get a move to England, he deserves to.
“You can see the amount of energy that he has and the amount of work that he puts in.
“They’re blessed to have him and the league is blessed to have him.
“I’m confident that he can go and play for the Republic of Ireland, there’s no question in my mind about that. It’s none of my business but I’m pleased for him.”
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National governments and medical authorities will decide when fans return to rugby stadiums and what measures are needed to for players to return to training, not World Rugby.
@Mark Wallace: think it’s fair enough for them to lay out their position on it though. It’d be far worse to be sitting on their hands.
@Jim Demps: agreed Jim. They have to be somewhat proactive.
@Jim Demps: But it’s not up to them. FIFA aren’t telling football asssociations that they can’t have crowds or how their players can train. It up to national authorities, as seen with the different approaches in countries like Germany and Spain against the total ban approach taken in France and Netherlands.
@Mark Wallace: you’re right, it’s not up to them, that’s why this report is simply laying out guidelines for a return, not a de facto ruling. Each countries govt will liaise with its own union who in turn are advised by World rugby.
@Mark Wallace: World Rugby didn’t make any assumptions on when there would be a return. They mention thats for goverments. What they are doing is planning on possible outcomes, so when there are goverment changes they can react quickly. Also by out lining there may not be a return to large crowds untill there is a vaccine, it lets the Unions plan a bit better, knowing they may have a very reduced income untill that point. Its a sensible document and doesn’t rise above its station as you suggest.
In that case there may never be large crowds at a game again
@David Kelly: Luckily Munster have been practicing social distancing at Thomond Park for a decade. Finally, they have an opportunity to contribute something to Irish rugby and show us how it’s done!
Water is wet