Delighted to see the rugger has gotten in the olympics for 2016 but who will Ulster lads play for as I doubt they will be eligible for Ireland under IOC rules as the UK enters as Team GB and not its individual nations and the North will be viewed as the UK. Same can be said about Wales and Scotland will they have independant teams or will they boycott it as they will for soccer in 2012.

trimmer (Meath) - Posts: 537 - 13/08/2009 19:42:52    391161

depends on the passport I reckon.

JuanVeron (Westmeath) - Posts: 1866 - 13/08/2009 20:23:00    391204

The Ulster boys will play for Ireland. No reason not to.

BigSam (Kildare) - Posts: 266 - 13/08/2009 20:26:52    391209

if its a GB team then NI doesn't qualify.

dhorse (Laois) - Posts: 11374 - 13/08/2009 20:32:22    391219

Its only Rugby 7s so get your money down on Fiji winning the Gold.

williewentwell (Tyrone) - Posts: 1712 - 13/08/2009 20:35:53    391224

I keep telling you we need Gaelic Football in the Olympics. GB captained by Brian Dooher taking the gold.

patrique (Antrim) - Posts: 13709 - 13/08/2009 21:00:45    391251

They'll play for Ireland due to the fact that Ulster Rugby is under the IRFU not English Premeriership

Duffy89 (Wexford) - Posts: 3320 - 13/08/2009 21:16:07    391267

Or I mean to say English Rugby Union not English Premiership

Duffy89 (Wexford) - Posts: 3320 - 13/08/2009 21:36:12    391297

Would it be that big of a deal if do decide to play for Britain , afterall plenty of Irish fellas played for the British Lions for decades before the "and Irish" bit was added.
It will probably end up being the players' decision on who to play with. Its a bit confusing in Athletics Ireland is a 32 county team but the British team is called GB&NI hopefully they would stay in the green jersies.

JuanVeron (Westmeath) - Posts: 1866 - 13/08/2009 21:43:10    391308

Ulster lads?Don't you mean Norn Iron Lads?......Ulster and Norn Iron=Not the same place

I am Sure Tommy Bowe from Monagham (ulster) would want to play for Ireland

Meath_bhoy (Meath) - Posts: 590 - 13/08/2009 22:18:35    391360

In a way yes,it would be a big deal Juan Veron if players decided to play for Team GB

I'll take for example Rory Best,the man has played umpteen times for Ireland,at world cups and 6 nations,played home games in Croke Park,then when the olympics come around he decides to play for Team GB,and what happens if he's to pit his wits in a game against his fellow Irish collegues such as his Ulster team mate Paddy Wallace or Tommy Bowe,then the next spring he comes back to play for Ireland,well I for one would lose respect for him thats for sure

Duffy89 (Wexford) - Posts: 3320 - 14/08/2009 00:14:01    391531

The vast majority of Northern Olympians have represented Ireland at the Olympics. In case you didn't notice - the boxing (i.e. drug-free) medallists included Paddy Barnes and Wayne McCullough from Ardoyne and the Shankill.

pearsesabu (Antrim) - Posts: 663 - 14/08/2009 07:43:03    391599

Duffy

Can I ask why you would lose respect for Rory Best if he chose to play for team GB?
I'm not aware of the lad's background, but if he is of a Protestant/Loyalist persuasion, then he has every right to choose to play for what he sees as his country.
If you'd lose repect for him for playing for GB, would it simply be because of his background?

As the current Olympic rules stand, players from the 6 counties can choose to play for whichever country they choose to. Under the way the majority of sports are administered, it is the only opportunity for people from Loyalist background to represent what they see as "their country." Rory McIlroy yesterday made it clear he'd see himself playing for team GB, despiting having competed for Ireland in the Golf World Cup only a few weeks ago. Whilst disappointed that he'd choose the UK above Ireland, I respect that it's his decision to make, and given his background it's not a choice that I'm surprised at.

We might not agree with their viewpoint, but it doesn't mean that they're not entitled to it. If we don't show a willingness to at least respect the views of 55% of the people who live North of "the border" then how do we expect them to accept the ever-increasing role of the Irish government in the affair of the 6 counties?

black&white (Sligo) - Posts: 1628 - 14/08/2009 09:46:32    391680

There is a rower from Coleraine who represented Great Britain and Northern Ireland at the olympics although coming from that dump it isn't really a surprise

CheFinny (UK) - Posts: 1358 - 14/08/2009 10:39:00    391775

Black&white - where did you get that about Rory McIlroy? He's more likely to opt for Ireland if given the choice. He was just asked what he thought about golf in the Olympics - not who he would play for.

pearsesabu (Antrim) - Posts: 663 - 14/08/2009 15:12:29    392254

Do Ireland have a rugby 7s team? When they show the tournaments on setanta sports I never see Ireland playing.

Lebowski (Meath) - Posts: 363 - 14/08/2009 15:34:20    392301

Black & White,I said nothing about religion

Duffy89 (Wexford) - Posts: 3320 - 14/08/2009 15:51:39    392346

pearsesabu

Back page of today's Indo. Can't remember the exact quote, but he mentioned that he would love to play for team GB if chosen.

mick14,
I asked why you said you'd lose respect in Rory Best. My point is that if he is from a protestant background (I'm not sure if he is or not), he would be quite likely to choose to play for team GB. I can understand why you'd be disappointed that he wouldn't choose Ireland, but to say you'd lose respect for him based on his personal preferences is a bit much.

black&white (Sligo) - Posts: 1628 - 14/08/2009 16:57:01    392497

Duffy89
County: Wexford
Posts: 1541

391267 They'll play for Ireland due to the fact that Ulster Rugby is under the IRFU not English Premeriership
13/08/2009 21:36:12
I m sure you know what you mean, but where do irish ghoys playing in england or france fit in with that theory

dhorse (Laois) - Posts: 11374 - 14/08/2009 18:51:44    392684

Norhern Ireland is not part of Great Britain. It is however part of the united kingdom of great britain & northern ireland so therefore people from the north would hardly qualify to play for Great Britain.

Dr.Shephard (Leitrim) - Posts: 2187 - 14/08/2009 23:12:29    392901