GAA victim of double standards

[Tyrone Dreamer]

Interesting article in the Belfast Tele:

GAA victims of double standards

By Martin Breheny
Wednesday, 26 November 2008


Notice anything about the Croke Park pitch for the recent rugby internationals?


As part of the sponsorship arrangement with the IRFU, the Guinness name was emblazoned boldly on half-way and behind the posts.

Now consider this. Imagine if the GAA applied a similar arrangement for an All-Ireland hurling final, when Guinness were sole sponsors.

If you thought the torrents which poured down during the Galway-Kerry game last August were heavy, they would be a mere drizzle compared to the new deluge.

Only this time, the clouds would unload themselves of odium and outrage. And who would open the taps? Some within the GAA itself, but there would be outside help too from various medical personnel and other lobbies, who emerge on an annual basis on news programmes, phone-ins and in newspaper letters to castigate the GAA for the Guinness sponsorship.

Where have those critics been over the past few weeks? Silent as mute lambs. So it's okay for anther sporting organisation to brand the Croke Park surface with alcohol advertising, but if the GAA have any links, however tasteful and discreet, with the same company they are depicted as social delinquents.

Now there's the essence of hypocrisy. Perhaps the more vocal medical elements, who regularly make demands on the GAA that don't seem to apply to other sports regarding alcohol sponsorship, might address their inconsistencies the next time they meet at a European rugby, sorry Heineken Cup, game.

Incidentally, former GAA President Dr Mick Loftus, a long-time critic of sponsorship by alcoholic drink companies, is exempt from criticism because he has remained consistent at all times.

Not so for many others in his profession who, in a blatant example of double standards, treat the GAA differently to other sporting organisations.

[magpie seanie]

I have been quick to criticise MB at time but he is right here. There are different standards applied to the GAA.

[Fear ón Srath Bán]

Indeed, fair dues to MB for pointing this naked hypocrisy up.

[ziggysego]

You know it's truth. Double standards indeed.

[Zapatista]

Make mine a double.