It's time to start a debate on the possibility of an all-island soccer side, according to a Monaghan Senator.
Fianna Fáil's Robbie Gallagher says it's impossible for two small sides on the one island to compete on the international stage.
The local Senator noted that Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland's soccer teams are struggling for form recently, while other All-Ireland teams have seen success.
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He says "we have seen what we can do when our nation unites, and we have seen how our rugby team can compete with the very best in the world".
Speaking in the Seanad, Robbie Gallagher said he hopes the Minister for Sport, Jack Chambers, can "kick-start" this debate:
