FIFA Player Eligibility in the Context of Ireland: The Actual Rules, the Real Facts and
Dispelling the Prevailing Myths.
By Daniel Collins (daniel_d_collins@hotmail.com).
"National identity ... is the foundation of national teams."- Ángel María Villar, FIFA
legal committee chairman (June, 2011).
Reports this evening have suggested that record Ireland striker Robbie Keane is close to making a
move to LA Galaxy.
Bolton and Blackburn, as well as Championship promotion favourites Leicester, have been linked with
Keane, who has admitted he could move away from the Premier League.
Keiren Westwood, Darren O'Dea and Kevin Foley will all make competitive debuts for Ireland in
Saturday's Euro 2012 qualifier against Macedonia.
Coventry keeper Westwood was always going to come in for the injured Shay Given to win his sixth
senior cap, while Wolves defender Foley takes over from John O'Shea at right-back.
Goals from Keith Andrews and Simon Cox in either half saw Ireland pull off a famous victory over
Italy in Liege.
Andrews scored with a low effort into the corner of the goal on 36 minutes after an excellent back
heel from the impressive Stephen Hunt.
Giovanni Trapattoni's 'Boys In Green' then had to withstand pressure from the former world
Champions before substitute Cox tapped home a Hunt cross at the death to make sure of the win.
Giovanni Trapattoni has been hit with a number of injury pull-outs prior to Wednesday night's
friendly international against Croatia in Dublin.
Everton winger Seamus Coleman left Goodison Park on crutches on Friday night, and while Ireland can
withstand losing players for this week's game, Trapattoni won't want to be losing players for the
key games in September against Slovakia and Russia.
Skysports are reporting that Championship side Peterborough United have tabled a bid for Dundalk
star Daniel Kearns.
The Belfast born Ireland U21 international has been earning rave reviews for the Airtricity Premier
League outfit and a number of clubs have been keeping tabs on his progress
Championship outfit Peterborough have held a long-term interest in Kearns and they have now firmed
up their interest with a six-figure offer for the exciting attacking midfielder.
Robbie Keane marked his Los Angeles Galaxy debut with a goal as his new side defeated San Jose
Earthquakes 2-0 at the Home Depot Centre.
Ireland international Keane became one of the hottest properties in Major League Soccer when he
swapped Tottenham for Galaxy and showed what he can do but breaking the deadlock after 21 minutes.
The Football Association of Ireland, in association with Three and supporter's group, ‘You Boys
in Green' today (November 4) joined the campaign to encourage fans to ‘Go Green on November
15'.
The campaign aims to encourage fans all over the country to get behind the team by wearing green on
November 15 when Ireland take on Estonia in the second leg of the EURO 2012 Play-off in Aviva
Stadium.
Everton's 2-1 win over Fulham, and a Seamus Coleman goal was the perfect way for the young
Killybegs born international to head into next Saturday's Euro 2012 game against Macedonia and the
Uruguay friendly the following Tuesday.
The young Irishman says the win over Mark Hughes' side has given Everton a big lift ahead of the
fixture gap, and he hopes to see the team return to Merseyside with the same level of optimism once
the international fixtures are complete.
Everton's Irish U21 international Shane Duffy has joined promotion hopefuls Burnley on loan.
The 19-year-old Derry born centre half has been an unused substitute for David Moyes' side eight
times this season. He has agreed an initial temporary move to Turf Moor before Thursday's deadline
and will hope to build up his first-team experience.
Shane Long's hunger to further his career has only been increased by his emergence as a top striker
on the international stage
The Tipperary born Ireland striker scored his sixth goal in 19 senior appearances for 'The Boys In
Green' in Tuesday night's 3-2 friendly defeat by World Cup semi-finalists Uruguay, and was also
instrumental in winning the penalty which led to his side's second.
Ireland international Seamus Coleman has been speaking about his delight at being shortlisted for
the Premiership PFA Young Player of the Year award.
The Killybegs born player has flourished during the season for Everton and has become an integral
part of David Moyes starting eleven.
Ireland international striker Kevin Doyle has set his sights on playing for Ireland in their three
internationals at the end of the season.
Doyle has basically ruled himself out of the remainder of Wolves' battle for Barclays Premier
League survival after suffering a knee ligament injury when Ireland beat Macedonia in Dublin last
month.
According to news reports on Irish radio this morning the FAI have secured a glamour friendly game
against England in February 2012. It was reported last December that the FAI were in talks with the
English Football Association to secure a friendly international between Ireland and England at the
Aviva Stadium in June next year, however due to fixture congestion in June the game is being
planned for late February.
Speaking ahead of tonight's Carling Nations Cup game against Nigel Worthington's IFA team, Ireland
captain Robbie Keane has waded into the eligibility issue stating that it was "totally up to the
players" themselves if young Irish internationals from the North decide to play for Ireland rather
than the IFA team.
Ireland have qualified for the European Championship Under-19 finals in July after recording an
impressive 3-0 win over Italy on Sunday in Kolobrzeg, Poland.
Four points from their first two matches left Ireland needing to defeat mini-group leaders Italy in
their final game to secure the one qualifying berth into the finals to be held on July 20-August 1.
Ireland striker Shane Long has been reassured that he will be a Premier League player next season,
despite Reading's heart-breaking play-off final defeat on Monday.
The Tipperary born player was reunited with the Irish squad on Tuesday afternoon, 24 hours after
his Royals top flight dream was killed off by Swansea City.
It's both bewildering and inexplicable how such an astounding level of confusion still reigns over
the issue of player eligibility in spite of the fact that there are clear rules in place to govern
it (see articles 15-18 of FIFA's Regulations Governing the Application of the Statutes), over which
an independent judicial body, the Court of Arbitration for Sport, has provided ample clarification
in a long, thorough and detailed judgment
You could maybe excuse the general public for not knowing any better – it's often fair to trust
that those whose professional duty it is to report reliable facts and information to the masses
actually know what they're talking about – but when supposedly serious Northern based journalists
and media outlets are continually getting the basics of this issue so unfathomably wrong, it's
simply unforgivable.
Ireland captain Robbie Keane has been passed fit for the Euro 2012 qualifier against Macedonia in
Skopje on Saturday night.
Keane, who suffered a groin injury during a training session on Thursday, will partner Simon Cox in
attack.
Darren O'Dea starts in defence along with Stephen Kelly, John O'Shea and Kevin Kilbane.
Robbie Keane fulfilled Niall Quinn's prediction when he completed a half-century of international
goals in Macedonia yesterday.
The 30-year-old Ireland skipper struck for the 50th time for his country after just eight minutes
and then added a second with 37 minutes played at the Philip II Stadium in Skopje to ease his side
to a vital Euro 2012 victory and exorcise the ghosts of their previous two visits.
Sunderland have completed the signing of Manchester United and Ireland defender John O'Shea.
O'Shea, 30, has signed a four-year deal at the Stadium of Light after the clubs agreed an
undisclosed fee.
Manager Steve Bruce said: "O'Shea's wealth of experience and versatility will be great attributes
for us.
Aston Villa have completed the signing Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given from Manchester City.
The 35-year-old has signed a five-year contract at Villa Park after the clubs agreed an undisclosed
fee.
Given told the club's website: "Aston Villa is a huge club and I'm really excited to be joining.
Paul Doolin's Ireland U19 side booked a semi-final showdown with tournament favourites Spain in the
European Championship finals today, following a scoreless draw against hosts Romania.
Cardiff City Midfielder Peter Whittingham has backed young attacking midfielder Joe Mason to force
his way into the Bluebirds' starting XI after his stunning display against Bristol City.
Mason's mix of direct running and vision inspired the home side to a 3-1 win after coming off the
bench to replace the injured Aron Gunnarsson at the Cardiff City Stadium.
Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni has promised to keep an eye on Sunderland's new signing James
McClean, after the Derry born player declared his intention to represent Ireland rather than the
IFA team.
The 22-year-old left winger wants to follow fellow Derry internationals Darron Gibson and Shane
Duffy into the Ireland senior team and Trap is happy to oblige.
Ireland and Leicester left-back Greg Cunningham, on loan from Manchester City, suffered a broken
leg after in his side's 1-0 victory over Hull City this Saturday.
Galway born Cunningham suffered the break as a result of Liam Rosenior's late tackle on 62 minutes,
which earnt him a red card.
Birmingham City are in talks with Ireland & Spurs striker Robbie Keane over a possible move to St
Andrew's, the club have confirmed.
Blues boss Alex McLeish has made it clear signing a quality forward is his number one priority
during the current transfer window.
Keane is the player City are most actively pursuing, although the club are adamant reports he has
already undergone a medical are wide of the mark.
