19 year-old Shane Ferguson doesn’t like to talk about it, but its odds on he will soon be playing for Ireland.
Shane Ferguson challenging Torres on Sunday
Shane has one cap for Northern Ireland, and since that was only a friendly against Italy when he was just 17, the rules allow him to switch allegiance, and it seems that’s what he’s thinking of doing.
Ireland have always been a stronger side than Northern Ireland, and even made the World Cup back in 20002 when it was held in South Korea and Japan, when current Wolves manager Mick McCarthy was then the manager, and Shay Given was in goal.
It turns out the 1998 Good Friday Agreement allows those players born in Northern Ireland (Shane was born in Derry, NI), to claim either British or Irish nationality, and current Northern Ireland manager Worthington would like to see that specific rule changed.
“It needs to be more black and white – to put all the indecision to bed once and for all,”
“It’s frustrating and disappointing that a lot of time, energy, commitment and finance goes into these players over a period of years and then when they are 17, 18, 19 or even 20, there is the opportunity for them, because of the ruling, to vacate to another country.
“There is a good production line here and to lose them is disappointing.” “I’ve left voicemails, text messages and made random calls to Shane but at no time did we get a reply.”
A little hint to Nigel – no reply is a reply.
And one way out for Nigel is to play them when they are young, in competitive International games – since that would presumably lock then into having to play for Northern Ireland.
It seems certain that Shane Ferguson will shift his allegiance to Ireland, and from what we’ve seen of this lad at Newcastle this season, the 19 year-old will have a long and successful International career ahead of him – for Ireland.
Shane currently has appeared 8 times for the Newcastle first team, and has always looked the part in black and white, at either left back or out on the left wing.
Comments welcome.
28 comments so far
Indian Magpie
May 18, 2011 at 11:01 AM
Comment #1NOT NUFC’s concern
G
May 18, 2011 at 11:04 AM
Comment #2It has to be said though, he looks much more comfortable on the wing than at LB, although, he hasn’t exactly disgraced himself there either. Deffo one to watch.
John
May 18, 2011 at 11:05 AM
Comment #3Great news he’ll be playing with better players and manager.
NIMagpie1
May 18, 2011 at 11:12 AM
Comment #4I know you are looking for a controversial headline but seriously could you just drop this! On a day where we have extreme tension and multiple bomb alerts this is just distasteful…
Andy
May 18, 2011 at 11:15 AM
Comment #5Good, He’ll get to play alongside better players and it’ll only drag his performances up. NIMagpie – I think everyone is making this decision on the lad’s progression not because of some blind allegiance to Ireland. I wouldn’t say this was controversial at all.
Mc-Toon
May 18, 2011 at 11:21 AM
Comment #6Andy it’s the timing which is the problem.
Ed in lala land is probably unaware of the current Ireland/NI situation over the last week.
Markaccus
May 18, 2011 at 11:26 AM
Comment #7Both sets of irish will make a political argument out of a game of cards, andy. They like being touchy.
Grow up NIMag, this is a football blog, I’m sure ed would rather stick to football discussion on it.
Markaccus
May 18, 2011 at 11:32 AM
Comment #8Timing shouldn’t matter its FOOTBALL. It really p’s me off when people start looking for an insult.
MackemLad95
May 18, 2011 at 11:37 AM
Comment #9Go on Shane, you’s do know that he’s a mackem… :s
Billyson
May 18, 2011 at 11:38 AM
Comment #10As an NI fan, from a purely footballing perspective, it’s hugely disappointing, especially when he has played for us all the way up. But if he doesn’t really want to play for us then better he doesn’t. I’d rather have a less talented and fully committed player than someone only playing because they can’t make it into the Ireland team. A bit like when NUFC went down and we got rid of the deadwood I suppose.
connor_nufc
May 18, 2011 at 11:40 AM
Comment #11that ruling is a joke! If you were born in northern ireland then he shud play for northern ireland!!!!!
Billyson
May 18, 2011 at 11:43 AM
Comment #12Amen connor
Andy
May 18, 2011 at 11:48 AM
Comment #13I’m not too sure about NI and the lay out and stuff but what is the difference between Derry and LondonDerry? Is Derry the Catholic side or something? It is a daft rule like. Wonder if Ireland will ever put the politics to a side and join all together like rugby. Would solve a lot!
Markaccus
May 18, 2011 at 11:49 AM
Comment #14Yes, from a football angle only, switching side is no allowed after a senior appearance, friendly or otherwise, for any other nation, even if the player has dual nationality, so I don’t see why ireland should be excepted, especially if the player is 100 per cent NI
Andy
May 18, 2011 at 11:55 AM
Comment #15He’s already been capped for NI in a friendly markaccus it’s competitive matches that determine who he plays for.
berToon
May 18, 2011 at 12:18 PM
Comment #16Londonderry is just what protestants call it marcus derry is its historical name and is a predominantly catholic county.shane looks much better on the wing though id rather get another leftback in to cover jose or two if he leaves
Davies
May 18, 2011 at 12:19 PM
Comment #17Daft ruling. He was born in NI and has played for NI. Whether it was competitive or not, sure he’s NI’s player now. What’s next, a transfer to Scotland???
Andy
May 18, 2011 at 12:24 PM
Comment #18Haha. Maybe internationals should just be made up of the best players from your league. We may get to a final with that squad, and then get trounced off barca and ronaldo
Mc-Toon
May 18, 2011 at 12:26 PM
Comment #19It’s not just a NI problem. It’s a FIFA problem. I.e. Danny welbeck could still play for Ghana…
Markaccus
May 18, 2011 at 12:32 PM
Comment #20Yes I know, andy, that’s why I said the rules should be the same for all countries. If ameobi plays a friendly for nigeria for example, he can’t switch to england, but the irish can because of this ruling.
djm...
May 18, 2011 at 1:01 PM
Comment #21Players who are eligble for duel nationality can play for another country if they haven’t played competitively for their first. However the application to change nationality must be submitted to FIFA and may only be done once.
Ie if he playes a friendly for ireland he still can’t change his mind again.
Nathaaan
May 18, 2011 at 1:29 PM
Comment #22Complete joke this silly rule. If he was born in that country he should play for them unless he has a direct link to another country through family.
chuck
May 18, 2011 at 3:12 PM
Comment #23The statelet of Norn Iron is the joke here, there have been attempts at unification into one Irish side representing the entire island also attempts to unite the seperate leagues.
Which have been rebuffed by the present body currently in charge of the international side and league (a loyalist group)
Surely a united side would be both a stronger side and create a more united feeling among both loyalist and nationalist comunities.
Hell it works for the islands united rugby side, why not football ?
Crawfordladd17
May 18, 2011 at 3:57 PM
Comment #24I am from a little town called Limavady in county Londonderry NI and Shane is also from here so it is very disappointing it is only Catholic from NI that plays for the south, I am very much from that I am a Gers
sweendog
May 18, 2011 at 4:16 PM
Comment #25connor_nufc et all .. these rules are correct.
Why play for a team that shouts abuse about your religion at you etc etc .. I’m from Lisburn and seen it first hand.
He should choose to play for the team he wants to play for .. he lives in Ireland, in a region called NI.
Billyson
May 18, 2011 at 5:48 PM
Comment #26sweendog, you obviously haven’t been to an NI match lately, doesn’t happen in Windsor any more, last game I was at the fans were chanting for Pat McCourt, a Celtic player, to come. And NI is a country last time I checked, not a region.
thepict
May 18, 2011 at 5:50 PM
Comment #27Of course Roman Catholics never abuse Protestants – that’ll be right!
Billyson
May 18, 2011 at 5:53 PM
Comment #28thepict
?????