A new Home Nations Tournament

[Dub13]

With no team from the Home Nations/British Isles going to be at Euro 2008 I am sure the people who were suggestion this new tournament would be doing so again.

I think it would be a great idea and much better than friendlies,I am sure some club managers will be dead against this but we will have to wait and see.

[GaryMc]

It should be called NGEFEC

'Not Good Enough for European Championships' Tournament

[sameold]

Whilst N. Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales are playing in their tornament, what will the Repubic be doing? Surely the Republic deserve to play!!!

[Pimboli]

I dont think a home nations would be a good idea other than to blood youngsters.

I just think there would be a lot of aggro involved between the fans.

At least if England had to play in Croker we could throw chairs down on top of them this time

[vodkacolly]

I cant say I'd want a home nations tournament. Not only would there be potential trouble between North Irish/Irish/English/Scots but lets face it, the football would be crap!!!

[sean]

I cant say I'd want a home nations tournament. Not only would there be potential trouble between North Irish/Irish/English/Scots but lets face it, the football would be crap!!!

I'd agree with you on the football being crap point. If last Saturday in Cardiff was anything to go by, this tournament would be just plain awful. I don't think the FAI would be looking to get involved in this next summer anyway, they'll get plenty money from the sales of the 3 match packages to be played in Dublin before the summer. Plus I can't see the GAA being too keen on giving over Croke Park for football internationals in at the peak of their championship season.

[fitzpatrickgary]

the tournament would just games played like friendlies so the football would of poor standard

[south]

croker is busy enough in summer time so i can't see ireland getting to play home games there

[mypost]

Looks like the US Cup again for us so.... :o

[Dub13]

By Ian Dennis
BBC 5 Live football reporter

Home internationals are set to return to the fixture list as early as February 2008 but do not currently include England, BBC Sport understands.


Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland will announce their participation in a new competition, called the Celtic Cup.

The quartet would play fixtures in February and March with the conclusion to the competition coming in May.

England have about a week to come to an agreement if they wish to take part.
An FA spokesman said: "We have no firm plans in place at this stage and there have been no discussions over a Home International tournament."

The Celtic Cup remains subject to confirmation but it is likely to be played every two years.

The competition would have a similar format to the old Home Championship which was staged every year until 1984.
Matches between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland were eventually scrapped because of increasing fixture congestion.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he would welcome the revival of home internationals to ease the pain of Euro 2008 misery for the four home nations.

England's defeat by Croatia, following the failures of Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales triggered calls for the sides to face each other in 2008.

"I would certainly enjoy that. I've got great memories from the 1960s and 70s," Brown said.

SFA chief executive Gordon Smith has said he is in favour of the move.

It is the first time since 1994 that no home nations have qualified for a major tournament.

Scotland battled valiantly but finished third in a group including Italy and France, while Northern Ireland's fate was sealed when they were beaten in Spain on Wednesday.

Wales's campaign was in tatters after a string of early defeats.

The prime minister said it was "desperately disappointing", adding: "In some cases that's down to bad luck. In some it's bad results.

"I know every football fan in Britain was looking forward to a summer of football next year, so it's very disappointing."

Brown added: "I know some people have called for a one-off revival next year of the Home Internationals.

"That's something for the football associations and clubs to consider."


Link (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/7107705.stm)

[Pimboli]

It would a disaster full of crap football as all the top players woudl go on holiday. Then England would beat Wales 1-0 at Wembley and Andy Gray would claim that with stunning performaces like that its still amazing to think England arent in the european championships.

[GaryMc]

Just watching SSN and they are reporting new tournament starting in 2009 between Ireland, Northern IReland, Wales and Scotland. Will happen every two years

[Aido82]

'Celtic Cup' set to start in 2009

Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland have agreed "in principle" to play a series of three biennial "Celtic Cup" tournaments.
An agreement signed on Monday commits the countries to arranging the tournaments on a league basis.

Home and away games will be rotated from one tournament to the next with each team playing three matches in each of the competitions.

Last week England distanced themselves from involvement in the tournament.

Commercial arrangements and fixture dates are now being finalised.

The old Home Championship, which included England but not the Republic of Ireland, was staged every year until 1984.

But matches between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland were eventually scrapped because of increasing fixture congestion.

Last week Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he would welcome the revival of home internationals to ease the pain of Euro 2008 misery for the four home nations.

England's defeat by Croatia, following the failures of Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales triggered calls for the sides to face each other in 2008.

It is the first time since 1994 that no home nations have qualified for a major tournament.

The Republic of Ireland did qualify for the 1994 World Cup in the United States.

Scotland battled valiantly but finished third in a group including Italy and France, while Northern Ireland's fate was sealed when they were beaten in Spain on Wednesday.

Wales's campaign was in tatters after a string of early defeats.


link http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/7114148.stm

[Bren100]

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12010_2923600,00.html

[Pimboli]

I like the Celtic Cup idea, though in reality it will probably just be classed as a B team interntional tournament which will at least give some of the fringe and close to fringe players a run out in some top stadiums to get used to it.

[Aido82]

And we have a chance of winning a trophy

[bryanod]

underwhelming to say the least

[paddypower111]

at least ireland can win something :)