Division: The Irish Split

Bluerover · May 4, 2022

woodsyni said:
I have a vague recollection of seeing Finn Harps and one of the Rovers (Shamrock, I think) at the Coleraine Showgrounds early 70's in the Blaxnit Cup. Might have misremembered the teams but no way did I make Blaxnit Cup up. Was only a pup then, though.

No memory of the Blaxnit, although I have read about it. I remember being mugged by a Cliftonville fan when they played us in Milltown - Tyler All Ireland. Around 78/9

woodsyni · May 4, 2022

Bluerover said:
No memory of the Blaxnit, although I have read about it. I remember being mugged by a Cliftonville fan when they played us in Milltown - Tyler All Ireland. Around 78/9

I got accosted by a Cliftonville dwarf wielding a beer bottle on the way out of the Showgrounds once. I kid you not! ?

woodsyni · May 4, 2022

Bluerover said:
No memory of the Blaxnit, although I have read about it. I remember being mugged by a Cliftonville fan when they played us in Milltown - Tyler All Ireland. Around 78/9

Blaxnit was replaced by Texaco, then Tyler (Googled it). Interestingly, I found this. Didn't realise we were so good in it

Ballymoney1 · May 4, 2022

woodsyni said:
Blaxnit was replaced by Texaco, then Tyler (Googled it). Interestingly, I found this. Didn't realise we were so good in itView attachment 164429

I never heard of that competition but no surprise Coleraine won it afew times. Had a great team in that era.

woodsyni · May 4, 2022

Ballymoney1 said:
I never heard of that competition but no surprise Coleraine won it afew times. Had a great team in that era.

They did indeed and if I remember correctly a few of them were from Ballymoney too.

catcherintherye · May 4, 2022

Cork Evertonian said:
Back in the day you used to have players, playing for both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland eventually FIFA put a stop to it though.

I don't mind seeing the Northern Ireland team do well, although obviously not everyone south of the border would share those sentiments.

From experience, most Irish fella's I meet from the Republic have a soft spot for the team in the north, but the team in the North seem to have the guys from across then border. It seems a bit of a one way thing. I'm not sure if that's representative, but always seemed interesting.

Bluerover · May 4, 2022

catcherintherye said:
From experience, most Irish fella's I meet from the Republic have a soft spot for the team in the north, but the team in the North seem to have the guys from across then border. It seems a bit of a one way thing. I'm not sure if that's representative, but always seemed interesting.

I don't know if you remember 82 and 86 but we celebrated your performances - it was genuine. 93 was poison sadly but MIchael O Neill (former Rovers manager) did a lot to restore the friendship.

Sad that it is unlikely I will ever see the two associations uniting like the IRFU, the IHA and the Cricket team.

I am happy when NI do well.

woodsyni · May 4, 2022

catcherintherye said:
From experience, most Irish fella's I meet from the Republic have a soft spot for the team in the north, but the team in the North seem to have the guys from across then border. It seems a bit of a one way thing. I'm not sure if that's representative, but always seemed interesting.

I've always wanted the Republic to do well but, as I said earlier, I don't really follow international football. I wouldn't claim to be representative of typical NI supporters though ? You could probably trace the total switch off to the Trick or Treat match, tbh. Absolutely revolting behaviour. Couldn't associate myself with vileness like that. Nowadays in International football, If I want anyone to win, it's the team with the most Everton players in it.

Bluerover · May 4, 2022

woodsyni said:
I've always wanted the Republic to do well but, as I said earlier, I don't really follow international football. I wouldn't claim to be representative of typical NI supporters though ? You could probably trace the total switch off to the Trick or Treat match, tbh. Absolutely revolting behaviour. Couldn't associate myself with vileness like that. Nowadays in International football, If I want anyone to win, it's the team with the most Everton players in it.

Great post mate.

Bluerover · May 4, 2022

woodsyni said:
I've always wanted the Republic to do well but, as I said earlier, I don't really follow international football. I wouldn't claim to be representative of typical NI supporters though ? You could probably trace the total switch off to the Trick or Treat match, tbh. Absolutely revolting behaviour. Couldn't associate myself with vileness like that. Nowadays in International football, If I want anyone to win, it's the team with the most Everton players in it.

I suspect my Glens mate of nearly 35 years would still like to see us losing! :cool:

He was staying with me in 94 when we played Holland in the WC. I had orange lilies in the garden and he wore one to watch the match in my local

What struck him most was how well we all took the defeat. Once we knew we were out we just started a sing song. He said that would not have happened in Belfast.

Cork Evertonian · May 4, 2022

catcherintherye said:
From experience, most Irish fella's I meet from the Republic have a soft spot for the team in the north, but the team in the North seem to have the guys from across then border. It seems a bit of a one way thing. I'm not sure if that's representative, but always seemed interesting.

That possibly could be true, maybe @ToffeeTim can offer an opinion on how NI fans view the ROI team. He's the one guy i know of on here, that would watch Northern Ireland matches.

woodsyni · May 4, 2022

Bluerover said:
I suspect my Glens mate of nearly 35 years would still like to see us losing! He was staying with me in 94 when we played Holland in the WC. I had orange lilies in the garden and he wore one to watch the match in my local What struck him most was how well we all took the defeat. Once we knew we were out we just started a sing song. He said that would not have happened in Belfast.

Reckon he's right too. To be fair though, both sets of fans got plaudits at the Euros in France for the craic and friendliness so maybe there's hope up here.

Bluerover · May 4, 2022

Cork Evertonian said:
That possibly could be true, maybe @ToffeeTim can offer an opinion on how fans NI fans view the ROI team. He's the one guy i know of on here, that would watch Northern Ireland matches.

Gerry Armstrong's contribution in the documentary was compelling. He is from the North and wouldn't dream of playing for anyone else.

I can also understand McClean who played for NI as a youth opting for the ROI given his experience growing up in Derry.

woodsyni · May 4, 2022

Bluerover said:
Gerry Armstrong's contribution in the documentary was compelling. He is from the North and wouldn't dream of playing for anyone else.

I can also understand McClean who played for NI as a youth opting for the ROI given his experience growing up in Derry.

I totally get why a Catholic player wouldn't want to play for NI - just look at Neil Lennon's experience. It's why I stay out of it. I don't want to be associated with bigotry.

Bluerover · May 4, 2022

woodsyni said:
I totally get why a Catholic player wouldn't want to play for NI - just look at Neil Lennon's experience. It's why I stay out of it. I don't want to be associated with bigotry.

There have been plenty over the years - Armstrong and Jennings for example. I think Lennon was targeted because of Celtic.

Michael O Neill was accepted as manager despite his Rovers background.

Sadly there are idiots who maintain the sectarianism, but I think/hope that is reducing significantly.