Gallagher Calls for All Ireland Soccer Team

In recognition of the Irish international soccer team’s disappointing match against Luxembourg, Senator Robbie Gallagher “looked across the Border and our friends in the Northern Ireland soccer team are on a similar run where they cannot seem to buy a win either.” Therefore, the Senator outlined that “it raises the question many people are asking me that perhaps now is the time for us to have a debate in this country about having an all-island soccer team just like we have in rugby and hockey. The reality is that for two small nations, such as Northern Ireland and the Republic, to have two soccer teams on one island and expect them to compete at international level is simply not on anymore.” The Senator pointed out the success of the Irish rugby team, who compete with the very best internationally.

The Senator concluded: “I ask that we would have a debate in this country and perhaps the Members of this Chamber would kick-start that debate by having the Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Deputy Jack Chambers, come to this House to see how we could start this conversation. Northern Ireland, and indeed the Republic, have had some good days in the past.”