Messages

I have no problem with McIlroy playing for GB if that is his wish, I have said he has the right to choose. He does however come from a nationalist catholic community which for years suffered discrimination and violence in the name of said Ulster Flag. His own uncle was shot in its name. That is the issue and Heganboy whether you like it or not it is an issue for many people in much the same way the tricolour is for the unionist community. I would prefer to see all flags taken out of sport where identities are divided. The proliferation of Ulster Flags in 1999 was due in large part to the DUP who handed them out free. Ulster Rugby actually plays under the old 9 County Flag which predates partition.

I think that you do have problem with him playing for GB (if that be his wish)

He was obviously brought up by parents in a difficult and  divided society who ensured that he mixed with both ussuns and themmuns through his schooling etc. That upbringing has evidently manifested itself in a fairly mature and rounded adult ideal for 21st Century NI.

The only flag that "Ulster Rugby" have any association with is the one with their logo printed on it.

DUP handing out free  flags in '99??  You're having a laugh. I got mine in Dublin.

no a bigot is someone who doesn't respect someone's right to choose their nationality

, the unofficial Ulster Flag is synonymous with Loyalism and Loyalist paramilitaries.

...and the Commonwealth Games...and Ulster's European Cup triumph in 1999 , not to mention their odyssey in the last couple of years....and NI's sojourn to the World Cup in Spain in 1982...to mention a few .

The GUI's input into his meteoric rise is allowing him (subject to a  fee of course) to nuture his considerable talents on various golf courses in NI and their input pales into insignificance compared to the effort put in and sacrifices made by the young man himself and his parents. He owes them nothing.

[And whilst I have no specfic evidence that the Black family have had interaction with loyalist paramilitary elements, there are ample examples of DUP/UUP/OO]

I think it is unfair to label the Blacks as bigots. They lost a father and a husband. But the point I keep making is that their refusal of the hand of friendship from SF is indicative of the position that many unionists are in. Nothing has changed, this is a unionist state, part of the UK etc. And whilst many nationalists are ambivalent at best on the Union, they do want respect for for their Irish identity and symbols. A respect that is denied by Unionists/Loyalists and their polititicans daily. Whilst the Blacks position is understandable by snubbing Martin McGuinness they are snubbing the leader of nationalism. And whilst I have no specfic evidence that the Black family have had interaction with loyalist paramilitary elements, there are ample examples of DUP/UUP/OO interaction with them and an exceptance even of a private visit would have signified to the mindless morons who shot Mr Black that the community as a whole is moving on. But I accept again, easy for me to say.

It certainly is very very  easy  for you to say that , all too easy.  Why are you referring to your absence of specific  evidence regarding the Black family interacting with loyalist paramilitaries ? In fact why refer to that  at all in your post if it is inconsequential and of no value?? ?

[Money raised from the sales of these poppies go straight into the british war machine in these countries]

Money raised from the sales of these poppies go straight into the british war machine in these countries. dont forget of all the countries that this empire have colonised and uprooted, by wearing this poppy your are supporting all of the above. Yer man from roscommom, the TD there, seems to forget or simply ignore these actions, I believe it is the latter. Many people from ireland have a deep fascination of all things british, we still think that they are a step above us.

It goes to the Royal British Legion and is  used for the welfare of ex-servicemen and their families/dependants.

[the insistence of unionist to shove them down nationalist throats]

Not a fan of poppies myself. However across the water they are a neutral fund raising device for the British Legion. The only reason they are cotrovertial in the North is because of the conflict number one and secondly the insistence of unionist to shove them down nationalist throats,

How does this manifest itself in Northern Ireland? I don't see it.

[10 points v Racing]

For what it's worth i think the 8 quarter-finalists are already known - Clermont, Toulon, Toulouse, Saracens, Harlequins, Ulster, Leinster, Leicester...

Agree re the 6 winners, and I think its fair to say Leinster are in pole position for a best runners-up (although only if they get a win v Clermont), but the second runners-up spot is wide open.

Wouldnt rule out Munster yet. 10 points v Racing and Edinburgh are almost guaranteed, then 4 or 5 points out of the two games v Saracens would see them on 20/21 points, which would be there or thereabouts in terms of a best runner up spot.

They have already lost to Racing away and four tries against Edinburgh away is not a given.

[Personally I don't]

McIlroy is a tool in my humble opinion, he has caused the flag furore for himself. Personally I don't care which team he declares for. Golf like professional tennis has no place in the Olympics.

Are you sure?

["Can you just imagine what something like this would do for Rory McIlroy?" Mr Hickey added."It would suddenly catapult him into the realms of being one of the most instantly recognisable sporting faces on the planet. Because make no mistake about it, that's what carrying the flag does for people."]

This flag pushing on McIlroy is getting embarrassing now.   
I don't envy the lad being involved in a sectarian tug of war.
Unfortunately most of the stupidity is coming from one community moreso than the other.


"Can you just imagine what something like this would do for Rory McIlroy?" Mr Hickey added.

"It would suddenly catapult him into the realms of being one of the most instantly recognisable sporting faces on the planet. Because make no mistake about it, that's what carrying the flag does for people."

I think that he's already there Mr Hickey.

Is this a wind-up?

He's a great golfer and handles the fame/adulation fairly well IMHO.

Golf is his priority............... as it should be. In terms of character he is streets ahead of Woods , even when  adding this flag nonsense into the mix.

[northern Irish]

People will always make unreasonable associations. The tricolour is the flag of all the Irish people and does not belong to the IRA.

The NI flag doesnt belong to terrorist organisation, whether it has legal status is neither here nor there. People who consider themselves northern irish associate with it.

The importance of legal status seems to vary wildly with some people.

Ehhh I consider myself northern Irish, and I don't associate with it.

But not Northern Irish? The flag is associated with people who see themselves as residing in  Northern Ireland. I presume that you don't?

Rory...great golfer .

Any relation to Sammy?

He certainly put a stop to   Keegan Bradley's incessant attempts to encourage  the USAans to wave their flegs by stuffing him. .

Ole , Ole , Ole , Ole

First we had BBC NI emphasising the North Vs South angle on Joanna Mills. Then we had Stephen OWC Watson referring to the Great Britain and Northern Ireland Team, when everyone else on the BBC just calls it GB. We even had Mark Sidebottom sheepishly refer to GB & NI. And loads of references to Irish and Northern Irish athletes who are representing Ireland! Is this balance for showing a couple of GAA games? Or is there a deliberate partisan policy in BBC NI to get in behind the Unionist take on things? To my mind any one who represents Ireland is Irish, north or south or west for that matter, no need to go on like they do. In fairness they also refer to the Northern Ireland (sic) athletes at the games...there is no such team. There is Team GB or Team Ireland period.

In the same way as BBC Wales or BBC Scotland refer to Welsh or Scottish athletes of course.

[back row]

Referees to the rescue for the all blacks today. 2 questionable decisions on the bounce. One for the scrum and to top things off giving them a penalty from the same scrum. O gara should have taken the ling range peno as well.

Couldn't fathom Owen's decision for the scrum penalty?? Was he trying to say that the back row wheeled it round? Strange one.

O'Gara wouldn't have had the range for the penalty and Sexton has a bigger boot (was also kicking well all day)

[to enjoy their sport in a neutral environment]

Outrage as Union Jack is raised at GAA pitch
14 June 2012

Members of a GAA club in Co. Down awoke on Tuesday morning to discover vandals had wreaked havoc at a pitch that is used by their juvenile players.

A day after a Union Jack flag was tied to the top of one of the goalposts at the Newry and Mourne District Council pitch near Kilkeel, which is being used by Ballymartin GAA while their own pitch is being redeveloped, bigots used heavy cutting equipment to remove the metal uprights, which left the goal-frame looking like soccer goals. They also used a stencil to paint the word 'British' on the remainder of each post.

Sinn Fein Councillor Sean Doran has accused the vandals of trying to drive Catholics out of the area.

"It is exclusively used by juveniles. Over 50 children under the age of 14 have been using the pitch for training," he explained to The Irish News.

"For what I can only call sectarian bigots to vandalise this pitch is a total disgrace."

Astonishingly, Harold McKee of the UUP stopped short of condemning the vandalism.

"The Protestant community have a fear that if the Gaelic posts are up they will be up forever," he said.

Despite the attack, Ballymartin juvenile players have continued to train at the pitch, which is part of a site that also includes several soccer pitches.

A spokesman for the club said: "Ballymartin GAC are most disappointed at the recent intimidating actions of others, following the creation of a Gaelic pitch at the council-owned facility at Carginagh Road, Kilkeel.

"Ballymartin GAC trusts the council will continue to maintain the facilities to enable Gaelic games be played and appeal that everyone in the wider community affords our youth members the opportunity to enjoy their sport in a neutral environment."

What do they mean by the the last sentence (paricularly the part that is emboldened)?