What's the problem with an all-Ireland football team. I look at the history of Irish international football and ask, if rugby can do it, then why not soccer? A lot of work goes into these videos as you can well see! You can now buy me a pint as a means of appreciation for my work on Naked Ireland, no obligation, obviously - only if you can afford it... I appreciate it. Cheers. https://www.buymeacoffee.com/nakedireland The Irish International Soccer team played its first International fixture 1882 and continued as a team representative of the whole Island until long after partition in 1921. The Irish team was pretty terrible at first an example being its battering 13 – 0 by England in its first International match, but over time it improved. Its breakthrough came on beating Wales 4 – 1 in Belfast in 1887. One interesting fact is that while the early Irish team had pretty dismal results initially, it was pioneering in that it was the first team in the UK to appoint a manager 57 years prior to England or Scotland. Ireland had to wait until 1910 before winning the British Home Championships for the first time, beating England 3 – 0. After WW1 there were only two more seasons of football for this all-Ireland team. before the politics of the time, and, Ireland’s division in 1922 meant that 2 separate teams emerged, one on each side of the newly created border. Even after this point it was still common for players to play for both teams. The Irish Football federation in the south of Ireland especially continued to select players on an all-Ireland basis. The turning point didn’t come until as late as 1946 when England found itself playing both the northern and southern teams in the same week and two players featured in each fixture against the English. The fact that this player “dual membership” persisted so long was a reflection of how tolerant football was in the early days, but the scenario of the same players appearing in two separate Irish teams against England raised eyebrows for the first time. Both Irish sides sought to qualify for the world cup in 1949/50, neither qualified for the tournament in Brazil, but the idea that in theory they could and that some of the same players could end up in both teams brought matters to a head. This heralded in new rules by the Republic that banned players from playing in the Northern side. Amazingly both teams called themselves Ireland, and this proved a major problem for FIFA for obvious reasons. FIFAs answer was that neither team should call themselves Ireland. Both teams objected, but ironically it was the northern team that was strongest in its objections. Up until the 1970’s the northern team continued to defy FIFA in insisting on the use of the name Ireland on programmes. Undoubtedly the Troubles (which began in 1969) played a part in polarizing the teams further reflecting what was happening elsewhere on the Island and so the concept of an all-Ireland team seemed to be dead an buried and the northern team has since played under the name of Northern Ireland. However, it hasn’t stopped some football fans wondering, given both teams very mixed success over the years since, what could be achieved if the island once again pooled it’s considerable footballing resources. One needs only look at the example of the Ireland rugby team – which pools players from across the island and plays under the name Ireland – to see how positive such a move might be. Politics certainly poses the main hurdle to this end. Undoubtedly the majority of objections to the Idea of a single “national team” comes from the fan base for Northern Ireland. Since the majority of these fans see themselves as British and citizens of the UK, they are reluctant to unite under the banner of Ireland, despite the fact that decades before they felt proud to do just that. Much water has flown under the bridge since then. But assuming accommodation could be found, to the extent of getting a single team together, what are the problems to be solved from the fans perspective. Obviously, the issue is around the idea of identity. The anthem, for example, would need to be neutral, but that’s easily done – The Irish rugby team uses ‘Ireland’s call’ which seems to be acceptable. In terms of a name. Since ‘Ireland’ was the original name, even for the northern team, perhaps it would make sense and not be an insult to northerners to revert to that. In terms of colours/emblems, there’s not much difference. I guess the fact is that for the island to have a truly successful team, it would obviously make sense to be able to draw from the largest pool of players possible. As the political atmosphere north and south of the border is less antagonistic now that it’s been for years, perhaps it’s time that was reflected in soccer – as in other sports. Who knows, perhaps we’ll win the world cup some day?