GAA needs to take a long hard look at itself

by CoArmagh GAA fella Thu Nov 25, 2004 04:50

I agree with the sentiments above. This is what gets the Association a bad reputation and looked at as if we’re a green version of the orange order. I was a regular player (not a good one though!) up until a couple of years ago and I’m also a republican, though that’s not really relevant. This episode here is just sad to see. I have nothing against Bobby Sands, I just don’t see what he has to do with our sport. And anyway, wouldn’t the Shinners be the first ones to complain if a few Northern Ireland fans sang the Sash at Windsor Park????

by R. Isible Thu Nov 25, 2004 04:51

and commitment and idealism. He also resisted politcal oppression and physical oppression by the army and police.
While not particulary keen on the killing of innocents by the IRA or other terrorist groups, it's hard to see how someone could not recognise that they were fighting against equal or worse atrocities committed by their neighbours with the collusion of a much more powerful State apparatus.
Bobby Sands rightly did not back down on recognition of the political nature of the conflict that he was embroiled in and he should be honoured for it.

by CoArmagh GAA fella Thu Nov 25, 2004 05:09

I accept what R.Isible says above about the nature of Sands as a man and the cause which he stood for. That much is beyond question, although I would not be a Sinn Fein supporter. The point that has to be hit home to some elements within the GAA is that politics has to be removed and kept out of the Association permanently.

I had no more love for the RUC and the British Army than anyone else had, but Rule 21 politicised what should have been an organisation concerned solely with sport and it thereby give ammunition (in the political sense) to unionism, loyalism and the British establishment. Equally counterproductive for the GAA is the “no foreign games” rule, completely pathetic when you think that Garth Brooks has played Croke Park and Roy Keane can’t.

While on the subject of the GAA, while it is attempting to address the issue of sectarianism in the game could it also tone down the advertising a tad??? It just doesn’t suit the game. I get the feeling we’ll turn up at Croker some summer to find its been renamed Vodafone Park or something stupid.

by Fergal D Thu Nov 25, 2004 11:27

One of the strengths of the GAA has been that party politics has always been left outside the door. The GAA was one of the sources of healing after the civil war as all sides were welcome in the organisation.

Regardless of your opinion of Bobby Sands he is clearly associated with one political party only, Sinn Fein, and the danger is that the club in Twinbrook will then become a Sinn Fein Club rather than a GAA Club.

by R. Isible Thu Nov 25, 2004 17:47

about not making Bobby Sands the focus of the discussion and not providing an easy stick with which the GAA can be beaten with. Hadn't thought enough about it.

by Rooster Sat Nov 27, 2004 00:57

What has that to do with a "so-called" sporting organisation?

by seedot Sat Nov 27, 2004 01:27

It was founded during the Gaelic revival and contains within it much of the ideas of that period - from it's professed support for the Irish Language (though tbh TG4 have done more, even just through their GAA coverage) to the same decentralised, grassroots focussed structure that the co-operatives and other movements developed. And it has been a potent symbol of Irish resistance and seperateness from Britain - whether on Bloody Sunday in Croke park or Crossmaglen and Tyrone clubs in more recent times.

The GAA is one of the most honest political organisations on this Island, staying true to an ideology for over 100 years. In many ways today it remains a progressive force in Irish society (witness anti-racism) while retaining some of what was most powerful about the late 19thC movements that gave rise to it (amateurism, volunteerism, grassroots democracy).

Away with this 'Only a Game' shite.

Note: the holding of the Dublin Managers job by a Kerryman would have been a betrayal on the order of the treaty, but John Bailey managed to not achieve this, despite trying, and still make us a laughing stock. To the Gulag with him.

by Rooster Sat Nov 27, 2004 06:33

"And it has been a potent symbol of Irish resistance and seperateness from Britain - whether on Bloody Sunday in Croke park or Crossmaglen and Tyrone clubs in more recent times."

So that explains why it is on GAA grounds that the security forces have found some of their biggest terrorist arms caches.

by ROOSTER Sat Dec 04, 2004 14:17

At a time when chief constables in other UK police forces have correctly banned British National Party members from joining police forces, in Northern Ireland we have Chief Constable Hugh Orde enthusiastically pursuing a pro-Irish/anti British agenda with regard to support for GAA sports within the PSNI.

This is also at a time when, according to unionist representatives, we have senior police officers bullying Orangemen in east Belfast.

The ineffective unionist members of the Policing Board, and the Equality Commission, must examine the racist and sectarian nature of the GAA as indicated by their rule book.

We have discriminatory rules such as 4c and 14 informing players and clubs to buy Irish goods only and only support Irish industry (ie: don't buy British goods) - a requirement that is contrary to all EU anti-discrimination legislation.

Furthermore, despite its protestations to be non-sectarian, the cover-up slips when one reads expressions in the rule book such as "Rule 58 - A parish for the purposes of this rule (GAA area boundaries) will be subject to county boundaries, the district under the jurisdiction of a parish priest or administrator."

In its own words GAA area boundaries are Roman Catholic district boundaries. GAA players within the PSNI not only have to adhere to these rules but others like Rule 16 indicating that the national flag, the Tricolour, must be flown at all games.

There is a growing suspicion within unionism that Hugh Orde is building a future all-Ireland police force through his support for the GAA with its nationalist, racist and sectarian overtones.

by chicken shit Tue Dec 07, 2004 00:08

a growing suspicion within Unionism.? Never Never Never!
I seem to recall in my younger days GAA clubs closely associated with the SDLP and perceived as anti republican and where politics were not left outside the door. The parents of the club players in Twinbrook seem to have no problem with associations with Bobby Sands which I think speaks volumes

by Barry Tue Dec 07, 2004 01:57

If people dont like Bobby Sands dont play for or support the club, its as simple as that.
It would be totally wrong for any political party to try and take over the GAA but Bobby Sands is NOT the property of Sinn Fein.

Bobby Sands has been honoured all over the world. Tributes to his sacrifice were made by everyone from Sean MacBride to Lech Walesa. The Iranians named the street were the British embassy is located after him. He was a famous local figure from that area.This club are perfectly entitled to name their club after him and if anyone doesnt like it thats tough.

The best attitude to take to this was put forward recently by Sean Og Ohalpain. When he was aked why his club, named after Padraig Pearse, has the red hand of Ulster with the thumb missing as its emblem he was unashamed and to the point. The missing thumb symbolises how Britain has divided the island. Their club ethos is pro-Irish and pro-republican. If anyone doesnt like it thats their problem, they wont apologise for their ethos. Neither should the Twinbrook club.

I notice how the clubs bashers also support foreign games being introduced to Croke Park as well. Maybe theyll be happy to see Union Jack waving thugs chanting anti-irish slogans on hill 16, named becuse the original hill was made from the rubble of the GPO. Why should God Save the Queen be sung from the Hogan stand, named after a player the Brits murdered on the pitch ?. Maybe the English rugby team should be allowed the opportunity to insult the nation again from Croker too. Change the name of the Sam Maguire while youre at it in case it offends a unionist (or more likely some agenda driven west-Brit from Dublin 4)

The GAAs roots as an organisation are part of the cultural resistance to British rule in Ireland which included the language movement also. No-one is forced to be a republican in the GAA, but if a club wants to identify with a republican martyr and what that martyr died for they should be free to do so. Its their organisation after all.

by buster Sun Dec 12, 2004 17:30

and rty to include other sections of the wider community rather than alienating themselves?

by Barry Mon Dec 13, 2004 08:26

Irish republicanism isnt ILLEGAL, ITS PERFECTLY LEGITIMATE . If someone hates Gaelic that much, its their problem, f*** them. Dilute no more of our countrys independence, thers not much left. A constantly diluted culture is fuck all of a culture, weve nothing to apologise for, they have tons to be ashamed of . If youre ashamed of your colours, find another set to stand beside you coward.

by buster Mon Dec 13, 2004 14:24

Were'nt you loved as a child?
Pinning our great gaelic culture to the likes of sands someone who stood for the murder of fellow irish men and women is not the future of the GAA.

by chicken shit Tue Dec 14, 2004 00:37

perhaps Buster would prefer that clubs were linked to the remnants of the RUC who in consort with the UDA /FRU and UVF murdered countless innocents. The families in Twinbrook who take pride in the association with a dead member of their community are all that matters and if other clubs choose to have links to iconic members of their own community then who are we as outsiders to argue.

by Barry Tue Dec 14, 2004 11:35

My bad manners were uncalled for there, but I am totally sick of this so-called need for the GAA to be more inclusive. This logic, taken to its final conclusion, will surely mean that our national flag and anthem should be done away with as well in the name of inclusivity. We will be forced eventually to stand for that puke-inducing drivel by Phil Coulter at the start of a game at this rate.

Our great Gaelic culture was not formed by peace loving hippies, Gaelic chieftains werent wandering about the place like Ghandi dispensing flowers to passing Vikings and Normans. Irelands history is one of 800 years of resistance to British rule, our culture is a reflection of that experience. Bobby Sands like Tone, Emmet and Pearse is a part of that proud history.

Bobby Sands by the way did not stand for the murder of fellow Irishmen as you falsely claim. That is simply an insult which gives away your own agenda.

Also I was actually loved as a child. And being a rather handsome chap, with no shortage of charisma, I rarely go short of a bit of affection these days either.

by jason Fri Dec 24, 2004 19:12

what if a sports club came up with the billy wright memorial cup or the michael stone football club, would peoples reactions be any different?

by Jack Russell - Social Justice, Please Sat Jan 01, 2005 22:34

Rooster

Many years ago, an old proud Irish teacher, once told a class 'THE LAND THEY STAND ON LOOKS UP AT THEM WITH CONTEMPT' (Paisley).

Now Rooster, you do know that the GAA was founded in the 1800's in Hayes Hotel in Thurles, Tipperary. It was founded in liaison with the hope of Irish Freedom (IRB). I feel you are discomforted with the word Irish. You would say there is a better type of criminal 'Shirt, Tie and Crombie Coat in Ballsbridge' and so would I.

You see Rooster, if you were around in 1916 too, you would call those boys 'Gun runners etc. etc.' before 1968 in the North, Rooster - the Catholics held their heads down, changed their christian names to try and get employment. Conor and Malachy were non starters, Rooster. But then again, you first name is probably Norman. Go back to your roots and be a humble Rooster, for the New Year. Start the day with Cock a do ado!!! Don't stop for about 6 months, it will save you many yoyos on valium

Wuf Wuf


Jack Russell

by Michelle Clarke - Social Justice and Ethics - Please Mon Jan 03, 2005 20:45

Personally, I say that the GAA ought to open up the grounds to all contenders.

I note the Wuf Wuf Jack Russell. Are you the Jack Russell that went walkabout a few months ago from your home in Ballyfermot? You sure made some media coverage. If it is you, well done for finding yourself on a pitch with THE BALL AND ALL THOSE PLAYERS TRYING IN VAIN TO CATCH YOU.

We have a lot to learn from you Jack Russell; I believe you have been paid for photo opportunities and that you are now the Aussie mascot.

From my limited, knowledge and perhaps somebody can confirm, the said Terrier Breed Jack Russell is the only member of that breed to be excluded (i.e. not up to scratch) from the International Dog Show Crufts............

I ask, based on the few suppositions, is there a message here for the GAA, its politics, its history..........

Personally I have a favorite quotation from John Hume, Nobel Peace Prize Winner' and it goes 'DIVERSITY IN UNITY'


Michelle

by Barry Mon Jan 03, 2005 20:57

This would be John Hume, the career Brit collaborator, who describes himself as a "post-nationalist". Why should someone who is personally opposed to the very concept of an Irish nation be quoted in relation to the GAA, which was founded precisely to safeguard the concept of an Irish nation, and promote a cultural identity through sports, music etc.

Hands off the GAA.

The people who created and maintained sectarian strife in this country for centuries are the British state. The "release a balloon for peace brigade" should go and bother them for a change. They are actually running around Ireland armed to the teeth. The GAA just play ball and have the odd ceili.

by max Tue Jan 04, 2005 14:08

Address: British Embassy
198 Ferdowsi Avenue
(PO Box No 11365-4474)
Tehran 11344

by jarlath Fri Mar 11, 2005 17:45

"The people who created and maintained sectarian strife in this country for centuries are the British state. "

Ha Ha Ha, of course all those kalasnikovs and semtex were being used to shore up peace and build trust and harmony between protestants and catholics!!

by Barry Fri Mar 11, 2005 22:37

AKs and semtex have been around for centuries now, we Irish are simply born savages, Britains here to keep the peace.

except .....

Orange Order = founded and armed by the British military in order to create sectarian strife, to divide and conquer Ireland.

Stormont and the B specials = founded and armed by the British in order to maintain sectarian divisions, to divide and conquer Ireland

Combined Loyalist Military command = founded, armed and directed by the British militarys' Force research Unit.

Britains to blame for the entire fecking mess, not the GAA, and certainly not republicans either.

by beano Tue Apr 12, 2005 01:21

Are you having a laugh? The Orange Order, the loyalist paramilitaries and god knows what else all funded and controlled by the British state. You're off your head mate, time to join the rest of us back in the real world.

by Barry Tue Apr 12, 2005 03:41

I said FOUNDED (and armed), not FUNDED.

Im not exactly sure what your on about here, apart from peddling some crap site that has a picture of the 6 counties as some disembodied island (even BBC and UTV knocked that shite on the head a decade ago), as well as calling it Ulster, which has 9 counties.

Where is the real world anyway ? some corner of north down were EVERYBODY supports the norn Ireland football team, and calls it the "pravince".

Explain yourself or take a hike, ye ballix.

by Rooster Tue Apr 12, 2005 23:22

"Where is the real world anyway ? some corner of north down were EVERYBODY supports the norn Ireland football team, and calls it the "pravince". "

-the unionist people have the right to see themselves as British if they wish and therefore seperate from the southern irish state, that was laid down in the 98 agreement, try reading it sometime!

by Barry Tue Apr 12, 2005 23:32

rejected it. its failed. it aint over yet.

by Rooster Thu Apr 14, 2005 05:22

so that puts you in the same camp as the rest of the antiGFA'ers like the DUP?

by barry Thu Apr 14, 2005 14:57

the DUP are unionists, im a republican. The GFA upholds British rule in Ireland, which im opposed to.

In the early 70s the republican movement opposed Sunningdale for the very same reasons, and it was opposed by Paisley and his buddies.
How do you arrive at the conclusion were in the same camp ?
Furthermore in a very short space of time Paisley and co will be in power in Stormont , so how do you claim they are opposed to the GFA when in reality they are more than prepared to operate it to the full ?

And what in the hell has this got to do with the GAA.

by Stacey - n/a Sun Apr 30, 2006 17:24 staceface1 at hotmail dot com

hey , i am actually writing a paper on this and The abolishment of Rule 21.(Nov. 2001)
I have loads of opinions on the Protestant perspective to sectarianism in the GAA and I would really appreciate it if you guys could give me your opinion and whether it be that there has always been a not so well hidden political agenda within the GAA and it's usage as a forum to spread and influence the thoughts and mind of people or wthether it is simply as Cusack had intended it to be as as a means of promoting Irishness and giving oneself a sense of pride in their identity?
Cheers would love if anyone could get back to me just want to get both sides to the story and your opinions would give me the scope to do that cheers.
p.s i am contactable on my e-mail address which can be found on the website.