Scheduled for some time in 2011 in Dublin I believe.

This could have the makings of a really good lasting tournament in terms of the teams who are there and the notable absence of England.

I think all fans of these 4 nations would enjoy a good piss up together and the football would create a good carnival atmosphere.

Would agree wit what you have said.

In an ideal situation it would be similar to the 6 nations where rivals fans can enjoy the tournament, and a drink, together!

This tournament means nothing and It's been formed purely as a money making excercise.

Yes,

but would you enjoy going to it?

No. I'd rather w**k dugs.

What a bizarre chap

Why the hell are they having to travel to Dublin twice?

If they're all in the same City than play all the games at the same time.

1st time round it may be a success, not to sure. However without England no big pull. And England would rather end up in a tournament with Germany, Argentina and France sadly over ourselves, Wales NI&Rep Ireland. I think if it is a success then England fans will put pressure on the FA to let them be part. But as I said, England see Germany, Argentina and France as bigger rivals over the "home" nations (Yes I am aware some of you hate that term).

I can already begin to imagine the look on Walter Smith's face as he has to release his players for a pointless tournament.

Would love to go to Dublin for a Scotland, great city and has the makings of a decent tournament.Been talk of similar things before and nothing has come out of it hopefully something this time.

Good news, England won't be missed.

I don't see the point in playing each other twice if all the games are in the same city, it might not be a bad we tournament though despite England not being there which will definately give it less prestige.

I don't really like the timing of it though, it could just get in the way of the domestic season. I would prefer a tournament held every two years at the end of each season when there is no major international tournament.

Would be better football-wise if Engerrlaaaand were there, but not fan-wise, we'll all just get hammered and have a laugh, they'd take it serious and get freaked when the Northies whoop them. Cant wait, a load of good players will be in there prime around 2011 aswell;
McGeady, Bale, Brown, Ramsey, Fletcher, Evans, Lafferty, Keogh, Long, O'Brien...Keith Gillespie

Ireland will deffo win the first one, the Trap-meister will have just won the World Cup so we'll be up for it!

No England = No point.

You worked it out wrong

No England = Craic

Sounds alright. I know its early but who would you say would be favourites to win the tournament?

At the moment i'd say that we would get hyped as being more than capable of winning and then f**k up the first game, win the second and then be relying on results elsewhere and a big score in our final game.

In saying that who knows what we will be like in 2011!

I would have preferred England in it, but having Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland will also present challenges all over the place.

Plus the moronic element among the Scotland support can boo whatever national anthem takes their fancy

Should be a good trip. Good Beavy.

totaly agree with that then maybe all teams will b at there strongest!!



as for england, it would defo b better with them but are they just scard 2 get beat by the so called smaller nations?? think they forget we are only a place after them in the worl rankings!!!

Least the Wales fans would also boo GSTQ, well the Cardiff and Wrexham lads would anyway.

Firstly, in the eyes of FIFA regulations, these are simply friendlies. The clubs and players will have to conform to rules as if they were friendlies, as opposed to WC/Euro qualifiers or finals. (I.e. release players 48 hours before the game not 4/5 days; different rules for injury withdrawals; etc.). Bearing in mind that 2 of the 3 games are to be played in May i.e. after the Scottish Cup final, I will be astonished if there isn't a host of withdrawals for them.

Secondly, I have to say I remain to be convinced that this will be a success. The first round of group games in on a February midweek. In Dublin. Let's say we draw Wales in that game - can you see a huge crowd stacking out the new Lansdowne? No. If we don't win, can you see similar throngs pouring over the ferries and airports in May, to see us play the Irelands? Similarly no. I don't see why this tournament is going to draw massive crowds.

I'm also unsure how the February matches are going to work. In FIFA regulations, all internationals are supposed to be played on the Wednesday. Maybe they will have a double-header at Lansdowne, with KOs at 6pm and 8pm.

Thirdly, I totally fail to understand the rationale of playing all the games in Dublin. Surely the 3 games involving Northern Ireland/Wales/Scotland can draw better crowds and atmosphere, if one of the competitors is at home?

Fourthly, in playing these 3 games a season, we choose not to play friendlies against other countries instead. Is it best to play 3 nations of similar style to us (and similar/lower quality)? Would we be better playing countries from Eastern Europe, Scandanavia, other continents, to broaden our experience and face different styles of play?

Fifth, there is always a fear that the Northern Ireland v Eire match could spark trouble - maybe that's unjustified.

So overall, I am a bit sceptical about the whole thing - and wouldn't be surprised if it never goes ahead in fact...

The idea of having any tournament in June or July is a total joke. Taking players away from club's pre-season games, and early European matches, is a non-starter. The only option was to have it on friendly slots (i.e. February, November/March, May/June or August). That is the option they've taken.


England have absolutely so interest in playing 'small' technically limited nations, in matches which will do little to assist their attempts to qualify for and win a major tournament. With the exception of an away game versus Scotland, there is no financial draw either - at least not one that outweighs their perceived fears of crowd trouble or an overly-physical 'grudge match'. It's of no benefit to England.

We're not. We will play one match in February, and two matches in May. So we play everyone once.


It's being played on already-existing friendly slots and at the end of the season. No other alternative.

I miss read the information on the bbc website, where it said two matches in February and four in May, I thought that meant each country would play that.

I think it would be a lot better if it was simply Semi-Finals (on the February midweek slot; either at a single neutral venue i.e. Dublin, or at the home of one of the competitors). Then the Final in May. It would make it more exciting, and players would be less likely to pull out in May it it was the big Final.

so wky the hell have england arranged to home friendlies against slovenia and slovakia?

Technical/style similar to qualifying opponents Croatia/Belarus/Ukraine. Money. And no crowd issues.

This sounds good. No smelly England there is a bonus too.