Very sad to see this idea still being held by some.
http://ulsterherald.com/2014/06/03/omagh-primary-school-to-exclude-logo-over-links-to-gaa/
http://ulsterherald.com/2014/06/03/omagh-primary-school-to-exclude-logo-over-links-to-gaa/
QuoteAN OMAGH primary school is to exclude the logo of one of Ireland's leading sportswear manufacturers from its new PE kit following a row over the company's links to the GAA. Controversy flared after Omagh Integrated Primary School's appointment of O'Neill's Sportswear to make its new PE tops. The decision prompted complaints from some parents over O'Neill's ties with the GAA. The Strabane-based firm manufactures kits for the bulk of Ireland's GAA clubs but also makes gear across a spectrum of other sports including rugby. Following an on-line barrage on the issue in recent days, Omagh Integrated Primary has confirmed the O'Neill's logo will not now be included on its new sports tops. In a letter to parents, principal Nigel Cairns said the perception that the O'Neill's brand was synonymous with GAA had "stirred certain views". He added however that the views had not been strongly voiced during an earlier consultation period over the new PE uniform. Mr Cairns said that GAA accounted for only eight per-cent of O'Neill's business and that the company had been selected because they provided best value and because they were Northern Ireland based. The principal also pointed out that O'Neill's currently supplies to the predominantly Protestant Stranmillis University College who are "delighted with the garments and the service". 'STRONG CONCERNS' As a result of the "strong concerns" raised by some parents of pupils attending Omagh Integrated Primary though, there will be no O'Neill's logo on the new PE tops, he said. Mr Cairns said he was both surprised and saddened by the controversy that had arisen but added that he was pleased the vast majority of parents had not got involved in the "gutter" comments that had appeared on social media websites. He told the Tyrone Herald, "From time to time sensitivities arise in every walk of life for whatever reason. The great strength of a planned integrated school is that sensitivities are neither swept under the carpet nor ignored. "With regard to logos, my prime concern is that the school logo is on any school garment and anything else is entirely secondary. O'Neill's are to be applauded on their pragmatic and inclusive stance on this issue. "I was saddened to follow the various blogs, comments, and tweets on the world wide web, and I was somewhat surprised that my choice of primary school PE kit supplier would attract so much interest. I would heartily commend the vast majority of parents at my school who have not responded to the internet gutter. "It is also noteworthy that the negative attention has come from people not directly involved in our integrated school community – doesn't that tell a tale," Mr Cairns added. CONTROVERSY It is the second time this year that O'Neill's has found itself unwittingly embroiled in controversy. In February outspoken loyalist Willie Frazer called for an investigation after an actress on Eastenders was pictured wearing a sports top bearing the O'Neill's motif. Mr Frazer compared the use of the shirt by the soap's producers to promoting the National Front, Ku Klux Klan or Nazism. It later emerged that the jersey worn by fictional barmaid Nancy Cartwright was actually the PE top of St Patrick's College in Ballymena. - See more at: http://ulsterherald.com/2014/06/03/omagh-primary-school-to-exclude-logo-over-links-to-gaa/#sthash.BRYV5JfV.dpuf