We’re not Brasil we’re Tuaisceart Éireann

Didn't take long for the oul Revisionism to swing into action, did it?

Fact is, Michael NEVER complained about the FAI recruting NI-born players per se - he accepted that they were entitled to do so under the rules.

What he did object to the FAI recruiting teenagers who had already represented NI at under-age level, meaning they were being tied to ROI before they had any real idea how their career was going to turn out. In particular, with ROI having a far bigger playing pool than NI, players who weren't up to making it at senior level down south, might still have made a career with NI.

Probably the best example of this is Michael McGovern. He might never have got a full cap for ROI, yet he ended up going to the Euro's with us, where his heroics against Germany basically got him a life-changing transfer from Hamilton Academical to Norwich City.

It is no coincidence that when he trained with FAI as a kid, he was coached by Brian Kerr, who advised him to try NI again. Then again, as a man of integrity, Kerr was honest enough to recognise and endorse the point which Michael was making.

None of which is inconsistent with Michael's own recruitment of ROI players like Bruce, Keown and Scannell. Each one of those was an adult who knew his level, and knew that he was no longer required by the FAI.

But heyho, why let reasoning and facts get in the way of blind prejudice?