SECTARIAN GAA

[blueman]

The GAA could open up its doors to the Protestant community by starting a team that plays in the Red, White and Blue. At least that would make it more interesting and get a bit of passion going as it must be boring watching just members of the Roman Catholic community playing each other, apart of course from the few Prod members down South. It works in soccer so I can't see why it wouldn't work in the GAA unless of course the GAA is what we Proddies suspect it to be, and that is a Sectarian sporting body only interested in attracting members of the Irish Roman Catholic tradition.

I see GAA President Nicky Brennan has invited Darren Graham along to one of the GAA finals to be played at Croke Park but it is also interesting to note that it was Nicky Brennan who officially opened the new GAA playing field dedicated to the honour of INLA terrorist and hunger striker Kevin Lynch. Sort of smacks of hypocrisy doesn't it.

[Wasp]

Setanta I do think now that the gaa are in the spotlight and rightly so they are trying to address some of these issues. Perhaps it is just for the public eye or perhaps they are genuine in all they say.

A big start would be addressing the names of some of the grounds banning all forms of anything that are sectarian and offensive in nature. They could also stop leading gaa members to coming up here and attending the opening of a ground named after a terrorist.

On showing who is really welcome in the GAA I must add that double standards are being pursued. At the end of the day Unionists find the names of such grounds as highly offensive, highly provocotive and down right hurtful. So if they want there sport to be inclusive then these names etc HAVE to be removed, otherwise they will still be in the dark ages allowing sectarian hate to thrive.

[Blue Angel]

ok what parks -we have some parks on that list named after roger casement/patrick pease/sean mac diarmada - to me that is the irish equivalent of an american calling a sports ground benjamin franklin park or andrew jackson athletic grounds.

[Wasp]

blueangel said:

ok what parks -we have some parks on that list named after roger casement/patrick pease/sean mac diarmada - to me that is the irish equivalent of an american calling a sports ground benjamin franklin park or andrew jackson athletic grounds.

Maybe to you but not to alot of other people and this isn't America.

The Kevin Lynch club in Dungiven for starters and then Robert Kerr, speaking on behalf of one club, said since the GAA’s formation there had been an “association with nationalism and republicanism”.

“Many of the clubs throughout Belfast and the country have been named after republicans,”

GAA Tyrone County Board Chairman Pat Darcy, while playing down the significance of his organisation's practice of naming clubs and trophies after terrorist murderers said this; ""Gaelic clubs were founded in Irish traditions. Both cultures have names that are associated with their traditions. That's the reality and we should all get on with it. We should accept it and stop making an issue of it..........Windsor Park is named after the British Royal Family, as is the Royal Victoria Hospital. We all have to tolerate these names." ;D ;D ;D He should read up on his history for starters before making comments like that.





You could have the premier kids cup in Tyrone which is named after two brothers killed on Provo "active service". That same "active service" undertaken by Provos often meant the murder and maiming of those from the Unionist community or there fellow countrymen. This cup is for under 11s and is called the Harte memorial trophy, nice name for a cup for kids to take part in don't you think??

Ontop of the grounds the GAA official guide would show you that it is not welcoming for N.Ireland Protestant communities. It needs to completely disassociation from political crap which divides and not unite. Certain documents that have to be signed in Gaelic IMO discriminates against the vast majority of Unionists who do not speak the language.

Then from the GAA official guide 2003 :

All trophies and playing equipment shall be of Irish manufacture. Penalty for non-observance €200. Irish paper shall be used for all official documents and correspondence. Documents not complying shall be ruled out of order. (Isn't this against EU rules on free trade etc??)

Basic Aim
The Association is a National organisation which has as its basic aim the strengthening of the National Identity in a 32 County Ireland through the preservation and promotion of Gaelic Games and pastimes.

AND From Pat Fenning a one time president of the GAA, "the GAA position is clear. Its historical role is not a myth. "Our charter proclaims the determination of the GAA to work for a 32-county Ireland. The allegiance of the GAA is to Ireland. That allegiance is unequivocal. (Isn't this very political and hardly inclusive for Unionists?)

[Blue Angel]

the point was not that it was america - the point was that naming a club after roger casement or pearse etc. etc. is merely naming a club after a famous figure from irish history. If you wish we will get a petititon going to have one called carson stadium as the man was fond of gaelic sports by all accounts and is just as equally as the figures named above a piece of irish history.

[Wasp]

blueangel said:

the point was not that it was america - the point was that naming a club after roger casement or pearse etc. etc. is merely naming a club after a famous figure from irish history. If you wish we will get a petititon going to have one called carson stadium as the man was fond of gaelic sports by all accounts and is just as equally as the figures named above a piece of irish history.

Now why would we try and change the name of a club to Carson? I think the rest of my post would show what problems Northern Protestants/Unionists have with the GAA.

With so much hurt and bitterness and with so much reaching out apparently going on I think any names that caused terror should be left well away from sport, especially when so many are still alive that were so deeply affected by the terror of those who are being honoured/glorified.

As a matter of interest are there any points of the rest of my post that you agree/disagree with such as the under 11s trophy, Kevin Lynch club in Dungiven, or any of the general rules of the GAA???

[Jim]

I dont think unionists having a problem with someone like Casement being a reason not to call a park after him. As far as I'm concerned Casement should be the last of their worries considering he was a british diplomat for years. This was a man that had more experience with the empire than anyone you or I know. Hardly someone that caused terror either.

There are a few "disagreeable" names but its ultimately up for protestants and unionists to do something more than whinge, and to get involved and get it changed by actively taking part in the sport. Cant change anything from the sidelines can you?

Rules for one set of people usually only exist when theres no opposition.

[Wasp]

I

dont think unionists having a problem with someone like Casement being a reason not to call a park after him. As far as I'm concerned Casement should be the last of their worries considering he was a british diplomat for years. This was a man that had more experience with the empire than anyone you or I know. Hardly someone that caused terror either.

I think the jist of my post was those who caused terror in moderntimes and the cups such as one named after dead terrorists for under 11's.

There are a few "disagreeable" names but its ultimately up for protestants and unionists to do something more than whinge, and to get involved and get it changed by actively taking part in the sport. Cant change anything from the sidelines can you?

Now you are joking aren't you??? Get involved in a sectarian sport that glorifies and honours the very people who inflicted so much hurt on their community? Please get real. Was not getting involved because things weren't in place a common arguement for republicans and explaining/excusing there continuation in violence, yet Unionists are expected to get involved in a sport that does not welcome them in the first place with clubs and trophies etc causing them deep offence and hurt.

Rules for one set of people usually only exist when theres no opposition.

The rules were set up for one set of people along with all their political aims, now where do you get opposition to take part in a sport like that, to do so would go against everything they stand for such as not aiming for a U.Ireland.

[Jim]

Casement specifically isnt a good example to highlight that though. I agree with you on other names I guess. Theres no need for it in sport.

Well WASP how else are you going to change things? Are you going to continue to stay on the sidelines of everything? You dont agree with the Government and you are on the sidelines, you dont agree with the GAA and you are on the sidelines. Its not about getting real, its about doing something.

In the end, being honest, it doesnt make a difference to me, I dont like the GAA and have no interest in the sport I've only got time for football. If it was up to me things would be very different but I'm not in opposition either.

[He_Who_Walks_in_The_Wilderness]

Tell that to the protestant who has just resigned from the GAA because of sectarian abuse. And i could well see republicans spitting the dummy if football grounds were named after loyalist paramiltarys after all whats good for the goose is good for the gander is it not? maybe we should name windsor park gusty spence park, after all he likes football and played it

[Jim]

halflife said:

Tell that to the protestant who has just resigned from the GAA because of sectarian abuse. And i could well see republicans spitting the dummy if football grounds were named after loyalist paramiltarys after all whats good for the goose is good for the gander is it not? maybe we should name windsor park gusty spence park, after all he likes football and played it

Being honest? I wouldnt mind calling it Gusty spence park, the man was a fluent irish speaker if I remember correctly and has done more than enough for the peace process better than naming it after someone who only goes to northern ireland on state visits like a farmer attending to his sheep.

Billy Wright played the GAA, maybe we should rename casement park to wright park, how would you lot like that???

[Blue Angel]

come on mate be daring, it's got to be Adair Athletic club -or Jim Gray Grounds maybe

[Wasp]

Setanta sorry but your post is full of crap. You have proved that you do not have a clue about Unionist opinion and that you are blinded in seeing the sheer hypocrisy of your post and the GAA. If this is how you view things fair enough but do try and apply your onesidedness fairly and apply it to all things concerning the British/Unionist/security forces/Orange Order etc etc.

Your post shows exaclty why Unionists and northern Portestants are not wanted or welcome in the GAA no matter how you try and dress up the 'they can if they want'. You being a member has also proved that there is those supporters in ROI that do not want or welcome Unionists. Sad really when attempts are 'apparently' being made to reach out to Unionists etc by the GAA.

BTW should your own personal political views be brought into sport???

[Wasp]

So is that all thT IS TO BE SAID CONCERNING this post by me. Sorry about caps button.

The Kevin Lynch club in Dungiven for starters and then Robert Kerr, speaking on behalf of one club, said since the GAA’s formation there had been an “association with nationalism and republicanism”.

“Many of the clubs throughout Belfast and the country have been named after republicans,”

GAA Tyrone County Board Chairman Pat Darcy, while playing down the significance of his organisation's practice of naming clubs and trophies after terrorist murderers said this; ""Gaelic clubs were founded in Irish traditions. Both cultures have names that are associated with their traditions. That's the reality and we should all get on with it. We should accept it and stop making an issue of it..........Windsor Park is named after the British Royal Family, as is the Royal Victoria Hospital. We all have to tolerate these names." He should read up on his history for starters before making comments like that.





You could have the premier kids cup in Tyrone which is named after two brothers killed on Provo "active service". That same "active service" undertaken by Provos often meant the murder and maiming of those from the Unionist community or there fellow countrymen. This cup is for under 11s and is called the Harte memorial trophy, nice name for a cup for kids to take part in don't you think??

Ontop of the grounds the GAA official guide would show you that it is not welcoming for N.Ireland Protestant communities. It needs to completely disassociation from political crap which divides and not unite. Certain documents that have to be signed in Gaelic IMO discriminates against the vast majority of Unionists who do not speak the language.

Then from the GAA official guide 2003 :

All trophies and playing equipment shall be of Irish manufacture. Penalty for non-observance €200. Irish paper shall be used for all official documents and correspondence. Documents not complying shall be ruled out of order. (Isn't this against EU rules on free trade etc??)

Basic Aim
The Association is a National organisation which has as its basic aim the strengthening of the National Identity in a 32 County Ireland through the preservation and promotion of Gaelic Games and pastimes.

AND From Pat Fenning a one time president of the GAA, "the GAA position is clear. Its historical role is not a myth. "Our charter proclaims the determination of the GAA to work for a 32-county Ireland. The allegiance of the GAA is to Ireland. That allegiance is unequivocal. (Isn't this very political and hardly inclusive for Unionists?)

[blueman]

Despite their 'pretensious' desire to reach out to Protestants the reality is somewhat different 'not a Prod about the place' It is very hard to persuade any ordinary Prod to join never mind the 'hated' blues brothers. Ah well, never mind, you'll miss us before we miss you.