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And if there was an actual Protestant or someone from a unionist background stripped out for Down yesterday, what's the course of action then? "Ah don't worry, it's only a bit of sledging"

In the absence of any Prods about the place, I think the Carlow lads are to be congratulated for their ingenuity and imagination.

Just a shame that the Down boys can't show the same qualities in actually getting a few more Prods into their own team.

Or even one.

(I'll leave that thought with you  )

Shall I correct you on that one?

Always enjoyable watching a smug tw@t making a fool of himself.

With his little emojis and everything. 

It's ironic that one of the lads in questions name is actually in the report in the first post  .

His Da is a proud East Belfast Glensman, born and raised, tattoos and all who helps out with our pitch maintenance.

And if some of you remember a while back I put up a post about some village idiot in Portavogie giving out about people wearing GAA tops in the village. Found out on Sunday whilst talking to a lad originally from Bangor (also not Catholic) whos daughters play camogie for us that it was another wee girl and her sister who's dad is originally from SA (not Catholic either) but living in Portavogie that the idiot was giving off about. They were wearing our tops..

Always happy to break down barriers.

Genuine question - Where was the young fella educated? If he went to a GAA playing catholoc school, arguably his involvement in the sport has more to do with that, rather than any GAA outreach.  If that's the case, his Da having a few Glentoran tattoos is kinda irrelevant.

Not sure this is the forum to be discussing where individuals went to school, but since you asked Michaelg, it's a great opportunity to enlighten the likes of yourself and EG about the realities of GAA, rather than a conveniently false narrative.
Most GAA players are introduced to the GAA at their local GAA club of which there are ~50 in County Down. Young players develop an interest either through family or friends, as it's certainly not promoted in the media in the North in the same way as soccer or rugby, though Thankfully we've moved on somewhat from the classic BBC sports bulletin "and finally GAA" afterthoughts. In our club we have several players who did/do not attend GAA schools . In some cases were bullied for playing GAA, and there has never been any interest in offering GAA sports or indeed even recognise that they exist. In the meantime , "GAA schools" are promoting soccer, rugby and other sports, and rightly so.
The relegation of Irish culture in state and even integrated schools, with the failure to put GAA on an equal footing, must be addressed if we are to get to an equal shared future , regardless of future constitutional arrangements. The continued resistance to an Irish language act is probably the clearest example of a continued reluctance by unionism and the "establishment" to respect Irish identity on an equal footing . That's the "elephant in the room".
Thankfully many individuals from a unionist background , are well ahead of unionists politicians and the state/integrated education sector , in embracing and enjoying GAA.

The realities of GAA, as you put it, are no real different to other amateur sports in NI where young players, and people new to a sport, are coached and encouraged by volunteers involved at grassroots level.
Whilst I agree that GAA used to get short shrift in local sports round-ups etc, this has not been the case for many years.  Despite the increased visibility and coverage, the numbers of Unionist people participating in GAA remains low.  The example of the Down All Irelenad winner given earlier in the thread, as far as I am aware, was from a 'mixed marriage' who came from a predominantly Nationalist area where he would have had exposure to the game in the area.  That was why I was wondering how the young fella referred to in the article began playing hurling, and became involved initially in GAA.
Finally, there are more imprtant things to resolve in this place than ensuring that GAA is put on an equal footing in all of our schools.  I like a wide variety of sports myself, and do not expect them all to be promoted equally in all schools.  If people are so concerned about what sports are being offered, then this is something that can be considered when choosing which is the right school for them.  Personally, the quality of teaching and learning and pastoral care, would be more important to me when deciding where to send a child to school.

And if there was an actual Protestant or someone from a unionist background stripped out for Down yesterday, what's the course of action then? "Ah don't worry, it's only a bit of sledging"

In the absence of any Prods about the place, I think the Carlow lads are to be congratulated for their ingenuity and imagination.

Just a shame that the Down boys can't show the same qualities in actually getting a few more Prods into their own team.

Or even one.

(I'll leave that thought with you  )

Shall I correct you on that one?

Always enjoyable watching a smug tw@t making a fool of himself.

With his little emojis and everything. 

It's ironic that one of the lads in questions name is actually in the report in the first post  .

His Da is a proud East Belfast Glensman, born and raised, tattoos and all who helps out with our pitch maintenance.

And if some of you remember a while back I put up a post about some village idiot in Portavogie giving out about people wearing GAA tops in the village. Found out on Sunday whilst talking to a lad originally from Bangor (also not Catholic) whos daughters play camogie for us that it was another wee girl and her sister who's dad is originally from SA (not Catholic either) but living in Portavogie that the idiot was giving off about. They were wearing our tops..

Always happy to break down barriers.

Genuine question - Where was the young fella educated? If he went to a GAA playing catholoc school, arguably his involvement in the sport has more to do with that, rather than any GAA outreach.  If that's the case, his Da having a few Glentoran tattoos is kinda irrelevant.

A draw probably fair result, Utd were never comfortable even after gifted 2 goals.

Bruno scored 2 but showed his petulance throughout. There's a real lack of leadership in this team.

He is hard to like.

10 men beat 12 men!

Did the 12th man not play about 10 mins added time?

At least it's better than Bombs on the Bus!

Posted on the day that the Miami Showband victims received damages, this is one of the most insensitve and crass posts on this forum this year. 

I'm surprised to be honest and the scale and the sheer acceptance of it. If it was a 'cricket' problem would it be prevalent amongst the other counties/boards? Maybe it is, but I just think theyd be shouting it from the rooftops if it was?

Using the P word in the Leeds Bradford area would be common enough I'd have thought? The fact that they have different leagues and have done so for over 40 years would be a red flag alone, plus proportionally the amount playing the game from south Asia not represented on Yorkshire cricket club should be another...

A very good mate of mine, who lived outside Leeds and whose kids play cricket, one is even a sports reporter would say that 'banter' was going on for years

NI team was a cold house, some would say its still a cold house for nationalist kids, though I know from friends whose kids are involved that its not the case from what they see.

Nationalists have played for, and managed, NI for 100 years.  The 2 are not really comparable.  Problems related to the NI team have stemmed from some of the wankers who have followed the team, particularly during the Troubles.  The IFA put successful measures in place which drove out the sectarian chants at WP.  The Yorkshire Cricket Board took no action.

I'm surprised to be honest and the scale and the sheer acceptance of it. If it was a 'cricket' problem would it be prevalent amongst the other counties/boards? Maybe it is, but I just think theyd be shouting it from the rooftops if it was?

Using the P word in the Leeds Bradford area would be common enough I'd have thought? The fact that they have different leagues and have done so for over 40 years would be a red flag alone, plus proportionally the amount playing the game from south Asia not represented on Yorkshire cricket club should be another...

A very good mate of mine, who lived outside Leeds and whose kids play cricket, one is even a sports reporter would say that 'banter' was going on for years

NI team was a cold house, some would say its still a cold house for nationalist kids, though I know from friends whose kids are involved that its not the case from what they see.

Nationalists have played for, and managed, NI for 100 years.

Italy and Switzerland are level on points. Italy are playing NI and Switzerland are against Bulgaria.
After 66 mins it's 2 nil to the Swiss and nil nil in Belfast

Thanks for the update - NI should have won that one!

One Ulsterman in the 23 but 3 Kiwis in the back line - Rugby eligibility rules are a nonsense!

[He would be involved in advising Bradley - who very much has his head screwed on.]

Hope it goes well for young Bradley, he has a lot of potential. Gordan has been fairly talked up this week!

Bradley gave away a penalty but Kelleher bailed him out. Bradley looked ok up to that point.

Apart from the pen, thought he had a very tidy game.

Bit of a snoozefest but another 3 nil win

Stephen Kenny in the crowd.. maybe he's seen enough to ask Bradley to switch allegiances...

I'd be very friendly with a coach in the NI system who would be a proud Irish nationalist. He would be involved in advising Bradley - who very much has his head screwed on. But he's in a difficult situation. NI approached him a lot earlier than he debuted and he declined on more than one occasion. He didn't want to declare with NI and by all accounts he's still very open to switch and would probably prefer it. The major stumbling block is that his family live in a very staunch Unionist town and it would be seriously challenging for them. These locals are the same knuckle draggers that were at the centre of the "wee hate Catholics" chant from a NI game a few years ago. NI knew what they were at rushing in to cap him

Be interesting to know what advice he gave.  Have seen a number of interviews and social media posts etc from young Bradley and he seems keen to play for NI. Have also heard from folk in the area who know his family and have said that they are very impressed with the IFA system and support provided.  As for NI rushing in to cap him, it's hardly a surprise if the FAI are actively targeting a young player with a lot of potential who has been brought through the IFA system.

Michaelg I have alot of respect for many of your opinions and you give an invaluable insight into unionist opinion. But please please try to understand , there is a large section of the population living in NI who have no affinity for the NI state ( understandably) . Your use of the word targeting betrays a lack of understanding of this concept . I have a lot of respect for the strides IFA make in trying to move NI soccer "supporters" away from their  ignominious past. That past doesn't make it easy for any "nationalist" to play for NI. To say that the FAI are targetting in the North is an insult, my only problem is that they don't do it enough. They should make no apologies for giving Irish citizens in the North the opportunity to play for a country they have an affinity with. In fact they should open up academies north of the border. The fact that many associated with NI soccer don't accept this , sadly means that they're not as far down the road of change as I had hoped.
It's obviously not a direct comparison, but how you feel about England trying to sign up Stuart Dallas , because he lives in England.
National identity is a personal choice , please respect that.

Stuart Dallas is not eligible to play for England.  What annoys NI football fans is that the FAI only 'approach' players from a perceived Nationalist background.  That by its very nature is a sectarian approach, yet it is always only the IFA, NI fans etc who get the accusation of sectarianism levelled at them.

[He would be involved in advising Bradley - who very much has his head screwed on.]

Hope it goes well for young Bradley, he has a lot of potential. Gordan has been fairly talked up this week!

Bradley gave away a penalty but Kelleher bailed him out. Bradley looked ok up to that point.

Apart from the pen, thought he had a very tidy game.

Bit of a snoozefest but another 3 nil win

Stephen Kenny in the crowd.. maybe he's seen enough to ask Bradley to switch allegiances...

I'd be very friendly with a coach in the NI system who would be a proud Irish nationalist. He would be involved in advising Bradley - who very much has his head screwed on. But he's in a difficult situation. NI approached him a lot earlier than he debuted and he declined on more than one occasion. He didn't want to declare with NI and by all accounts he's still very open to switch and would probably prefer it. The major stumbling block is that his family live in a very staunch Unionist town and it would be seriously challenging for them. These locals are the same knuckle draggers that were at the centre of the "wee hate Catholics" chant from a NI game a few years ago. NI knew what they were at rushing in to cap him

Be interesting to know what advice he gave.  Have seen a number of interviews and social media posts etc from young Bradley and he seems keen to play for NI. Have also heard from folk in the area who know his family and have said that they are very impressed with the IFA system and support provided.  As for NI rushing in to cap him, it's hardly a surprise if the FAI are actively targeting a young player with a lot of potential who has been brought through the IFA system.

He has 3 senior caps for NI, including one competitive match.  New rule, as far as I am aware, says that even after one senior cap (friendly or competitive) you need to wait 3 years to switch.  Also, I think that after 3 senior competitive caps under the age of 21 and it is no longer possibe to switch.

Hope it goes well for young Bradley, he has a lot of potential. Gordan has been fairly talked up this week!

Bradley gave away a penalty but Kelleher bailed him out. Bradley looked ok up to that point.

Apart from the pen, thought he had a very tidy game.

Bit of a snoozefest but another 3 nil win

Stephen Kenny in the crowd.. maybe he's seen enough to ask Bradley to switch allegiances...

Rumour has it he's already been asked. Mustn't be too keen as he now has 3 senior caps for NI.  Would need to wait 3 years if he made switch at this point but not looking likely.

I thought we played really well in the first half. I only saw bits and pieces of the 2nd.

But we don't have a goal scorer. That's not the managers fault. He's trusting them to play football, and at times we're playing really good football, but we've nobody to put the ball in the back of the net regularly.

We simply don't have the players. Any recent transfers of Irish players is lads moving down a division to try and get football.

Very unfortunate not to hold out against Portugal. Under pressure for the first 15 or 20 mins and the last 10. The middle hour or so, we were absolutely brilliant, especially considering the low level of football most of the lads play at. Didn't get the result but Kenny deserves credit for the way he had those lads playing.

At the end of the day, it's only soccer. And Kenny deserves time.

"we simply don't have the players".
You seriously suggesting we don't have the players to beat Luxembourg and Azerbaijan at home. Our play seem to consist of getting it out wide to McClean to cross it in to Shane Duffy 😕

Why should the ROI expect to be beat Azerbaijan when they have a population twice the size?

Could never understand lions tour, really odd concept

I understand it when it was in the amateur era when none of the home nations had any real chance of beating the All Blacks and Springboks.  Now in the professional era, the home nations should really be pushing to compete and beat them more regularly on their own.