North or South? The player divide.

The steady trickle of talent flowing from North to South in Ireland has caused divide on both sides of the border. Shane Duffy has joined the likes of Darron Gibson and Marc Wilson in declaring for the Republic having initially played for the North at under-age level. The former Republic manager Brian Kerr has criticised the practise of recruiting Northern players, arguing that it is " unfair, seedy and predatory to have such a policy towards a neighbour"

While it is indisputable that Northern Ireland have meagre resources compared even to the Republic, the fact is that it should always remain the players decision over who he wishes to play for. In the same article Kerr says that the declaration of Aiden McCeady and James McCarthy to play for Ireland is different to that of the likes of Duffy because Scotland have a greater pool to choose from and that "they don't share the same island as us". Anyone with even the most casual of interest in Scottish football at the moment could remind Kerr the threadbare nature of the talent currently emerging in Scotland and what difference does a few miles of water make in this argument?

Given the furore created over Chelsea's poaching of Gael Kakuta's, Kerr does make one salient point in his assertion that "direction and policy is required on such a sensitive issue as poaching our next door neighbour’s best players after they have been reared and groomed in that environment" Northern Ireland will not be compensated financially or otherwise by Duffy's departure. Should he and the others who have defected play in a major championship for the Republic, that becomes a huge incentive for any Northern youngster coming through their ranks wishing to play on the biggest stage.

The court of arbitration for sport based in Switzerland will need to impose a more strict and clearly defined criteria for switching from North to South. That, however is a veritable legal and ethical minefield. The player's right to choose has to remain in stone but Nothern Ireland also need to be protected. Can one happen without the other? Even the Swiss may have to take sides.