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Yet another bigot on the gaaboard

Why on earth would young unionists choose to play a game against teams or in sports grounds named after people who, not so long ago, were trying to kill their fathers / uncles / brothers, etc, etc? Seems a no brainer to me.

Pat Darcy's response

"If we can live with the Craigavons, Mountjoys, Kings, Queens, Windsors and Royal Victorias, then I would ask the Minister to tolerate the Casements, Wolf Tones, Kevin Barrys, Pearses, Sam Maguire and the Clarkes."

My apologies - I should've been clearer. I was referring to the naming of clubs after people who were 'active' in the conflict over the past 30 years, rather than those from the war of independence. Also Darcy's response is a case of comparing apples with pears. If the GAA were naming clubs after old politicians, former Irish presidents, and so on, there probably wouldn't be a problem. But they aren't. They're naming them after people the wider unionist community - including those Darcy wants to see taking up the game - would view as terrorists. And what's your definition of bigot, BTW? Someone who holds a different view than yourself? Very liberal, I'm sure.

[My Unionist friends tell me there would be no point because young unionists have no wish to play Gaelic Games. My answer to that comment begins with a question- How do you know if you do not give them a choice?"]

Top Tyrone GAA official accuses arts minister of 'broken record syndrome'


By Barry O'Donnell

THE top GAA official in the county has criticised the 'broken record syndrome' of the Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure over his ongoing attacks on the Association.

Pat Darcy, who was re-elected as Tyrone County chairman this week at the annual convention in Moy, used the opportunity to hit out at Gregory Campbell, MLA, accusing him of failing to understand the GAA or the communities in which it is rooted.

Mr Darcy told Gaels from across the county that he applauded the visit of the high-ranking DUP politician to the St Brigid's Club in Belfast during the past year, before taking issue with some of the Minister's subsequent comments about the flying of Tyrone flags and bunting around the time of the All-Ireland Final.

"This visit was a significant step forward in recognising the GAA. However, it was disappointing when he took two steps back with his subsequent criticism of the Association. Linking these two issues was an error of judgement on his part.

"The Minister reverted to the same old 'broken record syndrome' regarding the naming of trophies, clubs and grounds after individuals who he alleges were involved in violence. The Minister fails to understand the GAA is deeply rooted in real world communities who place importance on remembering historical figures. GAA communities are proud of these traditions and no amount of shouting from the sidelines will change this reality."

The GAA chief argued that in the perfect Ireland all names and places would be community friendly but 'our shared history dictates otherwise'.

"If we can live with the Craigavons, Mountjoys, Kings, Queens, Windsors and Royal Victorias, then I would ask the Minister to tolerate the Casements, Wolf Tones, Kevin Barrys, Pearses, Sam Maguire and the Clarkes."

Mr Darcy continued: "I share with the Minister his concern with improving community relations through sport and culture but I disagree that this can best be done by highlighting our differences. We must respect our differences and seek common ground."

He argued that the GAA was committed to inclusivity and was working hard to promote cross community initiatives.

" In this context I had no difficulty in committing Tyrone GAA to the cross community 'Respect' programme in partnership with BACTIV. This programme aims to encourage children from different backgrounds to respect each other.

He concluded, "Regardless of the efforts by the GAA to reach out, our games continue to be excluded from the sports curriculum of state schools which are predominantly Protestant.

"My Unionist friends tell me there would be no point because young unionists have no wish to play Gaelic Games. My answer to that comment begins with a question- How do you know if you do not give them a choice?"

Why on earth would young unionists choose to play a game against teams or in sports grounds named after people who, not so long ago, were trying to kill their fathers / uncles / brothers, etc, etc? Seems a no brainer to me.