Think then speak, McClean warned after Sunderland winger's Catholic outburstBy Colin Young Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill has urged outspoken winger James McClean to choose his words carefully after he reignited the war of words over his Euro 2012 call-up and claimed Catholic footballers are uncomfortable playing for Northern Ireland. McClean, 23, was named in Giovanni Trapattoni's Euro 2012 squad this week, just five months after breaking into the Sunderland team, and pledging his allegiance to the Republic of Ireland. It provoked a furious backlash among some fans in the North on Twitter, and after he received death threats and sectarian abuse - and responded with one ill-advised sarcastic retort - McClean closed down his account. Making his point: Sunderland's James McClean (centre) didn't hold back But the former Derry City player enraged Northern Ireland fans further after suggesting that any Catholic 'would be lying' if they claimed to feel comfortable playing for the North at Windsor Park. 'It's probably the wrong thing to say but it was just a stepping stone in my career,' said McClean. 'You don't really feel at home. I think any Catholic would be lying if they said they did feel at home, seeing all those flags (Union Jacks) and hearing the songs and chants. 'For me, personally, I didn't feel part of it. I gave a piece - an article - not that long back and I was just describing how, as a Catholic in the squad, you don't feel part of the squad.' International star: James McClean O'Neill called McClean in after training on Friday morning to explain his comments. A Sunderland source said the manager was furious with the winger who is from the same part of Ireland. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2143162/James-McClean-warned-Martin-ONeill.html He has been urged not to provoke further anger with any comments, particularly when he is with the Ireland squad later this month and for the finals, where they will be based in Poland. The Sunderland boss said: 'I am delighted he has closed his twitter account. My own view is that those kind of things are pretty nonsensical. It's best it's closed. I'm happy with that. 'The north/south thing was less in my time. It now has become a major topic of conversation. James spoke with his family and made up his mind long before I was at the club. Good luck to him, that's his decision and he should be left alone. 'We have a few players on Twitter. I don't know whether I would want them to close them all down, but you have to be careful with what you say, especially if it is said in the dressing room.' More...Catholics uncomfortable playing for Northern Ireland! McClean hits back in international row No regrets... McClean puts brave face on closing Twitter account after death threats O'Neill confirms Meyler talks this summer to sort Black Cats midfielder's future
Glad to hear he's shut the Twatter thing - and that's not just being a grumpy old man - which of course I am. Can't stand these bloody Facebook / Twitter things ! Seriously James McClean doesn't need to get himself into any more bother over the whole Irish sectarian issue; he's made his decision to play for the south and I can well understand why - even putting aside the religious / political issues the Republic are a much better bet football wise. Hope he has a great Euros but if he does it may make keeping hold of him even harder !
He is young and impetuous. We've all been there lads and tend to stand and fight when confronted instead of stepping back and thinking about the consequences. He has done nothing wrong choosing the Republic to play for but hasnt helped himself by antagonising a very fractured community with his retorts. That kind of thing only comes (sadly in our cases) with age. I guess he has just learned his first big lesson about playing for an EPL club and the exposure it brings.
Good advice from Martin, James is a young and maybe naive lad who wears his heart on his sleeve. Anything I have ever seen him post on twitter was in response to some serious sectarian abuse which when you think about it goes to prove what he was saying, in that in alot of NI Catholics think there is still an element of sectarianism at Windsor which would make it a cold house for them so to speak. Although it must be recognised the IFA have done alot of good work in changing this perception but I would of liked to have seen them come straight out and condemn the comments against James (they might have but I haven't read it) instead of making statements about him inflaming passions with his statements.
Good points Derry re; the IFA. Having served (although many years ago tbf) in Northern Ireland and seen up close how anti-catholic the RUC were, for example, I can well understand how James McClean could have felt uncomfortable playing in front of what must have been a pretty much Loyalist crowd.
Good points indeed but the fact that he's stated that he only used N Ireland "as a stepping stone" will not have helped ease the situation. Although it's nothing like what it was in the 70's/80's there are still some very dangerous men over there.
TBH he's damned if he does and damned if he doesn't. What gets me is the fact the local press over here are talking about his comments (none sectarian/abusive) but more sarcastic instead of facing the real problem, sectarianism and why young catholic footballers from the north would prefer to play for the south.
No lad he was born in Lifford right on the border with Strabane. There are two other Derry footballers who have choosen the republic over the north (Gibson/Everton & Duffy/Everton). The unfortunate thing is in making these decisions these young lads have to consider their own community and the response they would get whilst returning home although other Derry lads - Paddy McCourt and McGinn of Celtic played for the North and have had no problem apart from not getting picked which is strange considering some of the players they have.
Right. He does have a mild Ulster accent, that's what I was going off. I understand what you say about the rest. I think things are improving but are some places, you know, like Ardoyne/Short Strand etc. still as polarised?
Things are improving but imo as long as you still have peace walls and religous education we still have a long way to go. As far as Belfast goes lad, I never and still don't like the place. After all is said and done some of the people I've talked to and places I've been over the last few years I would of never have dreamed of going to as a youngun so I suppose thats progress!
Thats right. My ex's Irish family are from Lifford and I've been there 4 or 5 times and actually met Given's brother. Great people and a great attitude to life, despite the troubled times they have endured and to be honest, still are to a lesser degree.
I've been to Derry 3 or 4 times now and enjoyed it every time. Its a very nice walled city and some nice bars outside the shopping centre (a shopping centre with the weirdest car park ever lol). That said, when you look down off the walls into the Bogside and still see the murals and the anti-British slogans AND from the loyalist side the union jacks and such, you can feel the atmosphere at times. You get the sense that there still bubbles just benneath the surface a deep seated unrest that could kick off. I guess time is the greatest healer and for some the scars of the 70's and the 80's is still maybe a bit too raw. However, nothing will deter me from my assertion that the Irish are a fantastic people and the country is wonderful place. The Giants Causeway is pure magic and Dublin is just incredible. North and South has so much to offer but never been to Belfast.
I think that with Martin O'Neil being all too aware of the situation in that part of the world, he is in a great position to offer meaningful advice...I find it so sad that he feels unable to represent Northern Ireland due to him being a Catholic, which just highlights the fact that these communities still have a long long way to go regarding the ongoing peace proccess..
Not read what anyone has written but he is a young lad who is learning. I remember being 19 (probably better than most of you guys ). Being impetuous and daft is part of being young. That said, the abuse he got was disgusting and the fact he has held it together speaks volumes for his character really. MO'N will know all about this sectarian rubbish and is the best guy to guide him through it. Hopefully, it is the one thing that will spur him on. Much like a certain Portuguese winger who was targeted by a nation back in 2006!
Strange the lad forgets the numerous NI players over years who have been Catholic and were adored by the NI fans. Also the manager is a catholic himself and was proud to play for NI.
Adored when playing well but you know as well as I do that can quickly change. The lad forgot nothing and always dreamt about playing for the republic which is his right sadly something a minority of NI fans have forgot. Lets get real here, I could understand a reason for an angry reaction if he slated the NI fans/team but he didn't and there is NEVER any reason for sectarian/personal abuse which only goes to prove his point and the perception of alot of people in the north.
