Joe Brolly

[MoChara]

Errr.... The GAA was founded nearly 40 years before Partition .
The official GAA should NOT take any sides in a Referendum.

Semantics, I don't think anyone could argue the constitution was written with a mind to promoting partial national independence.

[five points]

Decent explanation here: https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/columnists/paul-rouse/what-is-the-gaas-relationship-with-irish-national-identity-434413.html

[dec]

I can't see the GAA persuading anyone how to vote.

Anyone who would be influenced by the GAA is probably already going to vote in favour of a united Ireland. And participating in what will be a very divisive election will just give unionists in the north another stick to beat the GAA with.

[Main Street]

Page 1 of the GAA constitution

"Today, the native games take on a new significance when it is realised that they have been a part, and still are a part, of the Nation's desire to live her own life, to govern her own affairs."

Re-unification is a core tenet the GAA was built on and so is a GAA matter.

There's no such thing as a GAA constitution.

The statement you quote also includes the following:

"The primary purpose of the G.A.A. is the organisation of native pastimes and the promotion of athletic fitness as a means to create a disciplined, self- reliant, nationalminded manhood."

It's a clearly aspirational statement, not meant to be taken literally. Otherwise the above sentence would rule out games for women and girls.
The day the GAA starts a political campaign is the day it dies as a national movement.

The GAA Guide contains the Constitution and Rules of the G.A.A.  As they say -  rtfm.
Aims do only have  aspirational value  but to change the wording of an aim would require approval at Congress.

Joe carries a copy of the GAA  around with him to quote when needed.
He quotes this main aim in order to justify his claim that GAA is already  political
"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"

He outlined further justification for action
The  GAA membership is overwhelmingly in favour of a UI
therefore it's incumbent on the GAA to support the membership.
The GAA is what sustained the community during the years of solitude including  the era of the "troubles", in regards to issues of identity, self esteem etc. The GAA should take a forthright stance and a campaigning role in a border poll campaign, the fear is that the nationalist community would be left isolated again, under the grip of a statelet dominated by nutjob demagogues who serially pour scorn upon them at every opportunity, on their identity, language, sports, on basic social and civil rights.

[five points]

Page 1 of the GAA constitution

"Today, the native games take on a new significance when it is realised that they have been a part, and still are a part, of the Nation's desire to live her own life, to govern her own affairs."

Re-unification is a core tenet the GAA was built on and so is a GAA matter.

There's no such thing as a GAA constitution.

The statement you quote also includes the following:

"The primary purpose of the G.A.A. is the organisation of native pastimes and the promotion of athletic fitness as a means to create a disciplined, self- reliant, nationalminded manhood."

It's a clearly aspirational statement, not meant to be taken literally. Otherwise the above sentence would rule out games for women and girls.
The day the GAA starts a political campaign is the day it dies as a national movement.

The GAA Guide contains the Constitution and Rules of the G.A.A.  As they say -  rtfm.
Aims do only have  aspirational value  but to change the wording of an aim would require approval at Congress.

Joe carries a copy of the GAA  around with him to quote when needed.
He quotes this main aim in order to justify his claim that GAA is already  political
"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"

He outlined further justification for action
The  GAA membership is overwhelmingly in favour of a UI
therefore it's incumbent on the GAA to support the membership.
The GAA is what sustained the community during the years of solitude including  the era of the "troubles", in regards to issues of identity, self esteem etc. The GAA should take a forthright stance and a campaigning role in a border poll campaign, the fear is that the nationalist community would be left isolated again, under the grip of a statelet dominated by nutjob demagogues who serially pour scorn upon them at every opportunity, on their identity, language, sports, on basic social and civil rights.

They'd have to scrap Rule 1.11 first.

[trailer]

If the GAA is to have an involvement in a possible unity referendum, should they then weigh in on other political issues?
Abortion? Same Sex Marriage? Immigration? Housing?

If people involved in the GAA use their profile from GAA to campaign for an issue do we have a problem with that? Mickey Harte and Abortion?

[Main Street]

Afaia Joe's not exactly a castle catholic

Page 1 of the GAA constitution

"Today, the native games take on a new significance when it is realised that they have been a part, and still are a part, of the Nation's desire to live her own life, to govern her own affairs."

Re-unification is a core tenet the GAA was built on and so is a GAA matter.

There's no such thing as a GAA constitution.

The statement you quote also includes the following:

"The primary purpose of the G.A.A. is the organisation of native pastimes and the promotion of athletic fitness as a means to create a disciplined, self- reliant, nationalminded manhood."

It's a clearly aspirational statement, not meant to be taken literally. Otherwise the above sentence would rule out games for women and girls.
The day the GAA starts a political campaign is the day it dies as a national movement.

The GAA Guide contains the Constitution and Rules of the G.A.A.  As they say -  rtfm.
Aims do only have  aspirational value  but to change the wording of an aim would require approval at Congress.

Joe carries a copy of the GAA  around with him to quote when needed.
He quotes this main aim in order to justify his claim that GAA is already  political
"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"

He outlined further justification for action
The  GAA membership is overwhelmingly in favour of a UI
therefore it's incumbent on the GAA to support the membership.
The GAA is what sustained the community during the years of solitude including  the era of the "troubles", in regards to issues of identity, self esteem etc. The GAA should take a forthright stance and a campaigning role in a border poll campaign, the fear is that the nationalist community would be left isolated again, under the grip of a statelet dominated by nutjob demagogues who serially pour scorn upon them at every opportunity, on their identity, language, sports, on basic social and civil rights.

They'd have to scrap Rule 1.11 first.

No they wouldn't.  A border poll is a political issue but it is not party political. One can campaign for a political issue on a non party political basis.

[Hound]

I can't see the GAA persuading anyone how to vote.

Anyone who would be influenced by the GAA is probably already going to vote in favour of a united Ireland. And participating in what will be a very divisive election will just give unionists in the north another stick to beat the GAA with.

Exactly. Unless they decide to lead the charge to aggressively make the GAA more inclusive, e.g. by abandoning the national anthem and the tricolour, all they would achieve would be to harden the unionist resolve

[Rossfan]

Leave politics to politicians.
Leave referendums(da) to the Voters.
Promote and Develop Gaelic Games.

[Main Street]

Look you heartless feckers, think of the Nordies!!

[Rossfan]

Sure they'll get first crack at the Referendum 

[The Hill is Blue]

Leave politics to politicians.
Leave referendums(da) to the Voters.
Promote and Develop Gaelic Games.

+1

[From the Bunker]

Leave politics to politicians.
Leave referendums(da) to the Voters.
Promote and Develop Gaelic Games.

+1

You did not say that to Bertie when you took the Big hand shake during the boom!

[Last Caress]

Look you heartless feckers, think of the Nordies!!

😂😂 don't forget about us. Everyone else has😂😂

[Main Street]

You'll Never Walk Alone!!