Republic of Ireland vs Northern Ireland | Netball Open Championships

Republic of Ireland vs Northern Ireland | Netball Open Championships
Full match replay of Northern Ireland's win over the Republic of Ireland at the Netball Europe Open Championships 2019.
#NEOpen

[@galoglaich3281]

why is there two teams on the island ,football is the only other sport that has two teams

[@chesterdonnelly1212]

I believe you are correct. But the reasons are completely different. There are two football teams because the two football associations couldn't come to an agreement. Having two football teams isn't ideal. One would be better if those involved could come to a compromise, but they won't. Netball is one of the main Commonwealth Games sports. Northern Ireland is a Commonwealth nation and Republic of Ireland is not. Netball is not an Olympic sport. If it was then I am sure Ireland would form a single team and they would have no problem doing that. Another reason for having two teams (not really a reason but a benefit) is that there are really not many National Netball teams in Europe. In fact there are ten including Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland. Other teams include Isle of Man and Gibraltar. So at the moment it is helpful that Ireland has two teams so there enough teams for a tournament. If Ireland had just one team, but it was professional, that would be better, because in Europe, England really doesn't have any competition.

[@galoglaich3281]

@@chesterdonnelly1212 Thanks for your reply. .Thats interesting its more of a practical thing whereas essentially football was a big city rivalry.The dubliners couldn't stand being told what to do by belfast.GAA began in thurles ,rugby in dublin whereas football in ireland started in belfast and then came to dublin however the belfast crowd wanted to be always in control and dublin resented that ,so thats it in a nutshell

[@chesterdonnelly1212]

@@galoglaich3281 yes exactly. The football split is all down to politics, power, money, egos and tribalism. The netball situation, like you say, is a practical thing, and could easily be changed.