Messages

is this the first time you posted on the GAA discussion side?

No, I have contributed to two other threads. One was "Twenty Reasons why Football is better than Soccer", where my attempt at a humourous reply seemed to bring the wrath of several other posters down on my head. This criticism wasn't just for the actual substance of my post, but also of the "What right do you have even to be here?" variety.
I also started a thread on the proposed new Maze stadium, since this obviously affects both codes directly, and I was keen to hear the opinions of GAA fans.
Aside from that, I browse the GAA section occasionally out of interest, but don't post, since I'm really not qualified even to venture an opinion.

As regards this particular thread, I have to say I was struck by the unselfconscious manner in which some GAA fans appear blithely not even to "see" that there are a million other people on this island who might raise an eyebrow at seeing a poll on a sports board which could be taken to mean that they are "hated", for no reason, sporting or otherwise, other than that they hold a different political opinion.

I used to think that many fans of GAA were antagonistic towards people like me; after browsing this Board, I have been educated to understand that this is not so, other than for a small but vociferous minority, mostly located in six of the most Northerly counties of the island (if I may express it so!).
However, I still feel that many more GAA fans simply do not see that there is another Irish "constituency" sharing this island with them, to which they are wholly indifferent, at best.

To put it another way, how would people here feel if they were to see a poll on a soccer board asking who they "hated" most, which alongside the usual suspects (Linfield, Glentoran, Man U, Liverpool etc), they also included "the Irish"? I suspect that the 40% of people on here who voted for "The Brits" would actually be the first to be spitting feathers in outrage.

Anyhow, those are just my thoughts, seeing as you asked.

P.S. Before anyone jumps in, I did not actually start this thread, nor did I place it in the "GAA Section", so anyone who doesn't like my particular replies, might just look towards whoever it was did. Unless there is some sort of "qualification" which one must hold before being "allowed" to post on a public discussion board? 

"Maybe the categories need widening, to include "Irish people who call themselves Brits"?

Great point Evil Genuis, I'd definately vote for them!

As a self proclaimed Brit, do you also follow the GAA?

I'm actually interested in most sports (well, motor sports excepted, since they invariably bore the tits off me). As such, I have a passing interest in Gaelic Football, though am slightly ambivalent partly because of the political "hue" that attaches itself to the game (in certain of the Ulster counties, anyhow), though more because it is a competitor with my own preferred game, soccer (as I think you term it).
From what very little I've seen of hurling, it seems to be a wonderfully skillfull and athletic game, but I've never lived in any of its traditional heartlands, so it doesn't really "appear on my radar".
My Granda was an accomplished Handball player AFAIK, but that was a long time ago.

On reflection, I think I'd like to follow GAA, but it has certain off-putting elements which deter me, including the notion that 2/5ths of its followers don't appear in the least embarrassed about voting that they "hate" me and my sort on this Poll. Of course, I accept that this kind of survey has a tongue-in-cheek element to it, so that it should not necessarily be taken at face value.
Perhaps more disturbing than the active "haters", are those who, when they see the term "Brits", don't even stop to think that that might actually include people who work at the next desk to them, or catch the same bus, go to the same films, or drink in the same bars. Perhaps it's the Irish accents which throw them off the scent...

"Still, it's reassuring to hear that 3/5ths of GAA fans appear not actually to "hate" a million of their fellow islanders"

The poll is on who you hate THE MOST, just cause you dont vote for one doesnt mean you dont hate them too!

Does this mean that we (i.e. "the million others") are not actually "Brits"? And if so, does that mean we are simply "Irish"? Or mere "Neighbours"? I only ask in case I decide to become a fan of Gaelic sports, so that I'll know what sort of welcome I might expect...

It has to be the Brits for me. Hating the neighbouring club more than the Brits is something I just can't understand. We may be rivals on the sports field but off it we are all Irishmen. Referees come and go. Some are hateful basta*ds but others a re ok. I'm happy to watch rugby on TV and follow the fortunes of Ireland & the 4 provinces so I can't say I hate other sports. St John's are a shower of hateful middle class c*nts but deep down I really don't hate them. It the Brits for me.

You've confused me now, Guillem. As one of around a million Irish people who also considers himself to be British, which category do I fall into? And what if I'm also one of your neighbours?
Maybe the categories need widening, to include "Irish people who call themselves Brits"? Or "Brits who call themselves Irish"? What about "West Brits"? Maybe just "The English"?
It's a poser, isn't it?

Still, it's reassuring to hear that 3/5ths of GAA fans appear not actually to "hate" a million of their fellow islanders... 

readin this thread i didnt realise we had got that sensitive and insecure that lads get wound up by genius reply,
f**k it i think most hurlers are brain damaged

Thank you, Ludermor. I must admit, I was beginning to fear that GAA fans were rather a sensitive, even humourless crowd! (I don't believe that, btw)

Anyhow, I hope your comment about hurlers doesn't bring down the wrath of Dumbnuts and his Thought Police upon your head, as well. Or if it does, that you're at least wearing a helmet! 

Have you ever sampled the atmosphere in Croke Park with a full house on a big GAA day?

No, but I'd like to, some day.
I was at the "old" Wembley for an FA Cup Final with 100,000 fans and I imagine it is something similar.
Mind you, neither is a patch on the atmosphere engendered by 14,500 members of the Green and White Army in Windsor Park, when we've just gone one nil up against England!  

I would just like to mention 1 point which Evil Genius makes.  It's in relation to crowd participation and atmosphere.  The reason there is so much singing and banter between rival supporters in soccer (which you would class as atmosphere) is simply becuase there is shit all happening on the field.  In gaelic, where the action is generally non stop with 20 or more scores a match the crowd don't have time for that singing shit until half time.  Gaelic games are far more exciting and therefore the crowd are on the edge of their seats with anticipation.  Soccer fans have too much time to worry about what the rival supporters are it, they know they won't miss much by taking their eyes off the field.  Atmosphere for me, is knowing me, and the whole crowd are entrailed in the on field action with pure tension.

Interesting. Soccer fans consider that the singing and chanting etc enhances the atmosphere, rather than detracting from it, since it is entirely possible to sing and watch at the same time. By way of comparison, I've been to a couple of rugby matches recently and whilst I enjoyed the games somewhat on their own merits, I have to say I was disappointed at how dead the atmosphere was.

Contrast that with the recent Champions League match between Celtic and Man U. I am not a fan of either side (thank Christ) and technically it wasn't a very good game, either. But even from watching on TV, it was clear that the atmosphere was outstanding, at the same time as "the whole crowd [were] entrailed in the on field action with pure tension", to borrow your phrase.

Anyhow, as I posted originally, each to his own.  

Genius, the post is a humerous comparison between the two.
Suggesting all hurlers are brain damaged, the GAA is 30 years behind the times, rural villages involved with the GAA are incestual, GAA players dont tend to have girlfreinds etc etc
These arent humerous replies, they are bitter insults, and not based on any facts.

You clearly have no idea about ANYTHING to do with the GAA and are here purely on the wind up.

I know you will keep posting on this thread now just to ruin it, and probably now on other threads on the GAA board, purely out of spite.

I really think Admin should look at the replies by Evil Genius re incest and brain damage etc.
Surely worth keeping an eye on.

Wow! I wasn't seriously suggesting any of the things who picked out of my post. It was meant to be a joke. Fair enough, you might not actually have thought it funny - it wouldn't be the first time no-one laughed at my jokes! - but to deduce that e.g. I was genuinely claiming that "all hurlers are brain-damaged" is ludicrous. Chill out. Or get a girlfriend. (Oops, there I go again... )

Has anyone else noticed the correlation between the posters who took this humorous post to heart and those that post on the "Non-Gaa Discussion" board.
Reading back on their posts in the other board its fairly obvious that they are more concerned with non-gaa discussions.

I would love to see the other board being scrapped... immediately or at least hosted on some other URL and not "gaaboard.com"

It is a contradiction that posters would defend soccer against Gaa in a post that was marked "Humorous" that was meant to be taken in jest on a Gaa discussion board.

Good Grief! Is every GAA supporter so "precious"? Somebody puts up a humourous thread taking the piss out of soccer, and a soccer fan replies in kind. Now I accept that it may not have been funny - I didn't spend any more time than it took to type out a reply to each point - but neither was it defaming anyone, either.
Perhaps "crowd reaction" is one of the differences between the two codes? In soccer, that's exactly the sort of thing which happens all the time between Arsenal and Spurs, England and Scotland, Roma and Lazio etc: it's called banter.
Should I have covered my reply in wee smilies, or posted an American-style Disclaimer? (I had hoped that my closing "each to his own" comment, with cheesy grin icon, was sufficient to show I was only after a laugh)
And as for the idea that I haven't even the right to reply on what is, after all, a public forum: well, I'm sorry, but that seems rather insular to me (And before anyone says that that same sort of thing occurs in reverse e.g. on OWC, I deplore it there, as well)
For myself, I have been an occasional browser on this Board for a while now, but only thought to start posting recently (the new format is much simpler and better, I find).
I freely admit I know so little about GAA that I confine myself to the Non-GAA Section, since I am not normally qualified to comment in this section. Nonetheless, I have found some of the threads in this section very interesting and informative.
The two exceptions have been the thread I started on the Maze Stadium, which clearly has a "crossover" interest between GAA and soccer and where I was merely seeking GAA opinion; and this thread, which was clearly light-hearted.

Anyhow, as a bit of a "newbie", are there any more "sacred texts" which are immune from anything other than the utmost reverence? I must say, I'm glad I never got round to posting the cartoon of Peter Canavan my Danish newspaper chum drew for me...

[Aside from the fact that this will compete directly with the GAA's own stadia at Casement and Clones, are you really happy for taxpayers money to be spent on a stadium which the GAA won't actually own. Wouldn't you much prefer if GAA's share was given to them to spend as they wish?]

Evil Genius,

I imagine gaelic games fans aren't that exercised because they are content in getting a top class, purpose built gaelic games stadium for next to nowt in comparison with having to stump up say a minimum of £50M GBP to build one ourselves.

Aside from the fact that this will compete directly with the GAA's own stadia at Casement and Clones, are you really happy for taxpayers money to be spent on a stadium which the GAA won't actually own. Wouldn't you much prefer if GAA's share was given to them to spend as they wish?

Even after HQ's pathetic giveaway deal on Croker, the membership would still tend to trust that the GAA will negotiate a good deal and would only ever enter into agreement on a sound economic basis. When it comes to money, we like to think of ourselves as cute hoors. The VAT issue is a red herring.

I've no doubt that the GAA will negotiate a good deal, financially, but is that the only criterion to be considered? Also, if it's correct that VAT will be payable on ticket sales in NI, but not for the same game in Clones, how is that a "red herring"? It effectively means that the revenue from 42,000 fans at Clones will only equal 34.650 in the Maze.

I'm happy to be treated equably with soccer and rugby, but would be pissed off to the highest degree if a soccer and rugby only stadium were built with direct or indirect public funding.

It was never proposed  to fund rugby and soccer only (nor should it be). Personally, I'd love it if the three sports were treated equally. However, when HMG declared that all sports must agree, or it simply would not get built, not every sport was in an equal position to negotiate. The IFA has little money, and is tied into an 80 year lease to play at Windsor (at the Governments insistence, I might add). Windsor is increasingly unfit for purpose and so the IFA has no choice.
The URFU doesn't actually care; so long as it gets its planning permission and modest Government funding to refurbish Ravenhill, it will still stage 95% of Ulster games as before, with only one or two rugby games per year at The Maze.
Whereas, GAA was in a strong position to negotiate. Consequently, when presented with 4 possible sites - 3 in Belfast, plus the Maze - it insisted that all 3 Belfast sites were unacceptable to it, thus leaving football and rugby obliged to accept the Maze. Not only that, but they also vetoed the original plan for 28,000 seats, insisting on a minimum of 42,000. Now I don't blame the GAA one iota for playing their hand cleverly; however, as Dealer, the Government should have known that the other two sports had been dealt a couple of cards short.

Belfast City Council had better watch themselves on this one - unless they hand over another city centre park to the gaa to build our own stadium, I'd bet they'd get cleaned by the courts on equality legislation grounds.  We haven't forgotten that in the early eighties, the british govt gave the IFA/Linfield a brand new stand, and then refused the same deal to the GAA even though our crowds were three times bigger.
We'll not stand for it this time, in the new era of equality.

I'm quite certain BCC has taken careful advice on this; interestingly, neither SDLP nor SF Councillors have cried "foul" over this. In fact, in return for donating a small, little used section of Ormeau Park, the Council will receive free a brand new Leisure Centre, for use by all the Community. The sports stadium will be developed privately and so will not cost anyone in Belfast (or elsewhere) a penny, unlike the Maze, which will cost up to £100 million of everybody's taxes.
As for your earlier complaint about the GAA being discriminated against, if that was the case, then that was unfair, but BCC's present proposals are nothing like that. (In fact, in return for funding one new Stand at Windsor, the Government of the day insisted on the IFA being given a 100 year lease by Linfield, to stop Linfield accepting the money then later turfing the IFA out. Which is all very well, except they forgot a clause which would allow the IFA to back out. Consequently, whether the IFA moves to the Maze or elsewhere, they've still got to compensate Linfield for almost 80 years remaining on the Lease. The figures haven't been disclosed, but this almost certainly runs into millions of pounds)

On the GAA side, the only gripes would be from the more reactionary  elements opposed to sharing with NI soccer, opposed to the location because its not in nationalist area, opposed because its sponsored by the british govt, etc.These elements are very much in the minority and would not be representative. After the casement fiasco, any hijacking of gaa policy by those who put their narrow sectional interests ahead of the gaa's best interests should be resisted.

Understood.

I still don't fully understand the hostility of NI soccer fans on this one. Some say its the location, others say its the capacity, and others say their fans would be too far from the pitch.

All of the above apply, and then some more. Nobody builds out of town stadia anymore, anywhere in the world. Public transport is non-existent and with one access route (the M1), access and egress for thousands of cars arriving and departing at the same time, on e.g. a wet Wednesday evening in November, will be a total nightmare. (Remember the chaos caused recently by that road accident on the M1?). With the stadium far too big for most soccer crowds, the atmosphere will suffer hugely. There simply won't be enough events to support any range of entertainment facilities (bars, restaurants etc), other than the usual fast-food outlets, so only the die-hard fans will turn up, watch the game, then go straight home. Whereas, the more casual fans, who go for a day out, simply won't bother. Lisburn has one hotel, some miles from the Stadium. Away fans will all be dependent on non-existent public transport to get them in and out of Belfast, where they will be staying. And GAA pitches are so much bigger than soccer pitches (even more so rugby), that binoculars will be needed to see the action from the back of the stands.

On location, how would you persuade GAA fans that they're kids are safe in Belfast?

Seems to work OK for Casement. I'm all for giving GAA's share to them directly, to spend as they wish. If they prefer to upgrade thier Provincial stadia instead, good for them!

Regarding capacity, its a bit rich saying that just because you can't fill it, nobody else should be able to. I know it might surprise a few NI fans, but the reality is that they do share this corner with GAA fans, who make up larger attendances and who have an equal right to be accommodated in any new civic stadium. There's a touch of "domination, or non-participation" on the ni fans side.

It is not a case of being anti-GAA on this one. Exactly the same would apply if we were talking Baseball or Cricket. Neither of those sports share their stadia in the USA or Australia with American Football, soccer or rugby (though they do with Aussie Rules, since they also need huge pitches). In the end, GAA, soccer and rugby should all be funded fairly, so that each is able to develop stadia suitable for their own particular needs. Under the present plans, GAA doesn't have to compromise over pitch size or capacity, only soccer and rugby. Indeed, when the plans were amended, so that only 35,000 seats would be installed for soccer, with some capable of being removed to allow 42,000 for GAA, this means that GAA fans get a choice of sitting (comfort) or standing (cheaper), a choice which is denied to soccer and rugby fans.

And as for pitch size and distance from the action, many of the stadiums in the Japanese world cup had bigger distances. If its good enough for the World Cup, it should be good enough for NI.

Not so. Besides, the World Cup was a one-off, with stadia capable of being altered after the tournament. Whereas the Maze will be a permanent arrangement for the next 50 years. (Besides, the Japanese stadia were much bigger capacity than the Maze)

Maybe these so-called reasons are only a smokescreen for not wanting a taig about the place?

Your last comment is unworthy and incapable of being supported by any evidence whatever. Football in NI enjoys mixed participation at all levels, from playing, officiating, administering and spectating.

For some random recent examples of this, see:
http://www.irishfa.com/grassroots/football-for-all/football-for-all-campaign/
http://ourweecountry.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=16096
http://www.irishfa.com/grassroots/football-for-all/
http://ourweecountry.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=16045
http://www.irishfa.com/grassroots/football-for-all/football-for-all-corner/

However, I sincerely don't wish this to become a squabbling match between the two codes. Rather, having outlined some of the reasons why the soccer community is deeply unhappy about this stadium being foisted upon us, without any consultation whatever, but at the cost to us of millions of our taxes, I merely wish to know whether fans of Ulster GAA see it the same way or not.

The Northern Ireland Office (NIO) will be relieved to learn that while the GAA is committed to as comprehensive as possible an analysis of grassroots opinion, it will not allow those views to ultimately jeopardise the scheme.

Bit rich coming from the NIO who have shown their contempt for public opinion in NI with issues like the Water bills and the new Rates.

Indeed, especially when read in conjunction with the next paragraph in the B.Tele report:

"NIO negotiators currently involved in the brokering of a deal to satisfy all of the participating sports bodies has given a commitment, backed at the highest levels of Government, that any newly-elected Stormont Assembly will not be able to dump the present Maze blueprint"

This scheme involves a minimum spend of taxpayers' money of £55 million on the Stadium alone (latest NIO figure), plus whatever they spend on making the site suitable, transportation upgrades etc.

There is absolutely no good reason why the NIO couldn't just divide up half that amount between the three sports pro rata:
Soccer could spend its share buying itself out of its long lease at Windsor and go and play in the new City of Belfast Stadium;
Rugby could use its share to upgrade Ravenhill (plus play 2 or 3 big matches per year in the CoB);
And I'm sure GAA could find a use for its share.
The remaining half could then be frittered away by the Government on luxuries like water, health, education etc.

Why aren't people up in arms about such an unwelcome, unnecessary and unaccountable waste of public money?  

The only people who want it are Belefast tele Norn Iron supporters who seem to forget that an Irish cup final attracts about 8-1000 and Norn Iron struggle to fill windsors 14000 capacity for many games. The stadium will only host about six games a year and will be half full at best for most of them, a complete waste of public money.

Absolutely not, SCB. Don't be fooled by the totally uncritical stance on this stadium taken by the B.Telegraph - they've clearly been "got at" by the NIO, with their huge Government spending power for Public Announcements & Notices etc. 

Similarly, the IFA is totally potless, but in dire need of a new stadium (FIFA regulations are getting higher all the time, so that Windsor could soon be declared unsuitable for internationals); consequently, they are blindly accepting whatever the NIO offers them.

Whereas, the NI fans are overwhlemingly against this White Elephant, for a wide variety of reasons. It's hard to gauge the exact figures, but when the Amalgamation of NI Supporters' Clubs asked its members, in conjunction with a poll carried out at Windsor before a match (nearly 3,000 replies), the No to the Maze/Build it in Belfast vote was almost 90%. Interestingly, the IFA carried out its own poll, but has so far refused point-blank to publish the results!

Anyhow, I must say I am a little surprised that GAA fans in Ulster don't appear to be that exercised by the whole issue. Seeing as how they have committed to be the "Main Tenant" (in terms of events held and rent paid), I don't understand how they could commit to playing in someone elses stadium, when they are spending so much money upgrading their own stadiums like Casement, a contradiction exacerbated further in the case of Clones, where ticket sales are VAT-free, unlike the Maze, which will charge 17.5%.

The other surprising aspect (to me, at least) is that the GAA prides itself on being a democratic organisation. However, in this case, it would appear that the Ulster Council is not prepared to consult its membership, nor to allow wider participation in the debate from the other three Provinces. Is this normal for important decisions such as this?

(Btw, I'm not trying to score any points over this; rather, I'm genuinely curious to know what GAA fans think)

Results 1 - 10 of about 13,000 for Michael O'Muircheartaigh. (0.10 seconds)

It was a joke, Gabriel. Anyway, try Googling Beckham or Rooney and see how many you get!

[I just hope the GAA player has washed his hands before he sells me my sausages!]

Found this here: http://katzthegingadragonninja.blogspot.com/2006/11/soccer-v-gaa.html
Some are of these are funny... 



25 reasons GAA is better than Soccer

1) The GAA player who played in front of 80,000 at the weekend will be teaching your children, selling you meat or fixing your drains on Monday morning. The soccer player who plays in front of 80,000 will be moaning about playing too many games and will be trying to sell you his personalised brand of leisure wear

I just hope the GAA player has washed his hands before he sells me my sausages!

2) GAA nicknames are better (The Bull, The Bomber, etc.) . Soccer players just add a Y to their surnames

Really? Off the top of my head: Norman "Bites Yer Legs" Hunter; "One Size" Fitz Hall; Herman "The Herminator" Hreiddarsson; Khalid "The Cannibal" Boulahrouz; Kevin "Killer" Kilcline; Ted "Tin Man" McMinn; Neil "Razor" Ruddock; Kevin "Zinedine" Kilbane and my current favourite Kiki "Chris" Musampa! (Get someone to explain it to you )

3) Laois v Offaly is a real derby. What does Utd. Vs City mean to Ronaldo or Sibierski

It means rather more to them than, er, the Laois v Offaly derby...

4) How many soccer players does it take to screw in a light bulb? Answer eleven. One to stick it in and ten to surround and kiss him after he does it

GAA: Just give the feckin bulb a kick, will ye!

5) Soccer players go to the papers after a game. GAA players go to the pub

No-one's interested in what GAA players think. As for soccer, the FANS go to the pub, which is quite good enough, thanks.

6) John Terry would run a mile if he came up against Francie Bellew

Hardly. Bellew would have to give up the chase after the first few hundred yards...

7) GAA teams are numbered 1-15. A soccer team reads like the lottery results

Soccer fans don't need to take their socks off to count beyond 10

8 ) All soccer players wear shin pads. Some hurlers wear helmets

If your legs were worth £5 million quid each, you'd wear shin pads. As for the hurlers who don't wear helmets, I guess it's too late to do any more damage (unless it's too the hurley)

9) Television runs soccer. Schoolteachers run the GAA

I love TV. I hated school.

10) The GAA is about where you're from. Soccer is about who you like

Seeing as I don't like half the people where I'm from, it suits me!

11) No segregation at GAA games

No atmosphere, either

12) No soccer team has a nickname quite as lovely as the Fighting Cocks of Carlow

Fans of "The Hatchetmen" might disagree, even though Crusaders is not a bad official name to be going on with. Or "The c**k and Hens" (Glens). Anyway, is there a GAA club anywhere in the world with a better official name than "Crouch End Vampires FC"?

13) Bubble perms never made it to Croke Park

Not yet, no. But then they are 30 years behind the times.

14) A scoreless draw in the GAA would be quite a novelty

And it would be a bloody miracle in Basketball, but that's still a shit sport and all.

15) The GAA may not appreciate its women as much as it should but at least we all know who Cora Stanunton is. The most famous woman in English soccer is Posh Spice

Does anyone outside of GAA (or her own home) know who Cora Stanunton is? I certainly haven't a clue.

16) Under age players get to be part of the biggest days in hurling and football at half-time in the All-Ireland.

I guess that is a big day for them. Mind you, when they grow up and pass puberty, they'll appreciate that there are other attractions in life. Like soccer.

17) Micheal O'Murchearaigh.

I had to Google Mr. O'Murcheareigh. It brought up "4 Results". After a quarter of an hour.

18)If a GAA player ever jumped at a spectator like Eric Cantona did the rest of his team would join in. So would the rest of the crowd.

Eric didn't need any help.

19)Vinnie Jones grabbed Gascoignes testicles. Paudie O'Se decked Joe McNally during the National Anthem. McNally learnt his lesson. Gascoigne just got worse.

Unfair. (Picking on the two stupidest soccer players ever)

20) The GAA season always leaves you wanting more. The soccer season leaves soccer people demanding less. "Fewer games please"

I always thought the GAA season went on for 15 months a year. Or does it just seem that way?

21) Old soccer players get testimonials, Old GAA players just slip down to junior.

I'd rather have the Testimonial, thank you very much.

22) Rural villages = A Church, A Post-office, a Pub and a GAA pitch.

Unemployment, boredom, incest, depression, emigration. (No soccer pitch, you see)

23) Pints after the match with the lad you knocked seven lumps of shite out of in the game.

Chatting up the girlfriend of the lad you knocked seven lumps of shite out of in the game. (GAA players don't tend to have girlfriends. Or if they do, they look as if the boyfriend has knocked seven lumps of shite outa them)

24)Croke park on a Summer's Day.

Windsor Park anyday.

25)Roman Abramovich can buy the League. You can't buy Liam or Sam!!

Roman Abramovitch didn't want Liam or Sam. I wonder why?

Oh well, each to his own!  

Article in today's Belfast Telegraph below. Your thoughts, please?

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/sto...sp?story=716410


How GAA escaped from moral Maze

The proposed multi-sports stadium at the site of the Maze prison is causing problems for the GAA. Terry McLaughlin examines the dilemmas it poses for the association....

27 November 2006

The GAA will not hold a province-wide vote of its membership on its decision to back the proposed new national sports stadium on the site of the former Maze Prison.

The decision means that those in the GAA membership opposed to the Maze development because of the deaths of ten republican prisoners while on hunger strike will not be allowed to scupper the project.

The GAA is prepared to take stock of all viewpoints before making a final recommendation to central council in Croke Park regarding the multi-sports stadium concept.

The gauging of opinion, however, will be confined to Ulster and will not involve any other section of the association.

But while that process has already started, sources within the GAA told the Belfast Telegraph that the only criteria for a final decision will be one "based on economic viability and the positive benefits for community progress".

The Northern Ireland Office (NIO) will be relieved to learn that while the GAA is committed to as comprehensive as possible an analysis of grassroots opinion, it will not allow those views to ultimately jeopardise the scheme.

NIO negotiators currently involved in the brokering of a deal to satisfy all of the participating sports bodies has given a commitment, backed at the highest levels of Government, that any newly-elected Stormont Assembly will not be able to dump the present Maze blueprint.

The Belfast Telegraph has learned that the Government, during the latest meeting held at Stormont within the past month, gave a firm commitment that it will not be deflected by business or political demands to accommodate an alternative development to the Maze.

"The only viable option on the table as far as the Government and Minister (David) Hansen is concerned is the Maze," GAA sources confirmed.

"That is our viewpoint from the start of this process."

The GAA is aware of the still high level of opposition by sections of the association to the usage of the former Long Kesh prison where ten IRA Hunger strikers died in 1981.

Last year, before stepping down from office, former Antrim chairman Joe O'Boyle declared that his county would never play at the former prison site.

New chairman John McSparran has adopted a much more conciliatory approach.

And while he has said that he can understand the argument of football supporters who want a Belfast venue, it is inconceivable that Antrim, provided they are given assurances regarding the continued status of Casement Park, would carry out their boycott threat.

The biggest concern, however, for Antrim is the future of Casement Park on the Andersonstown Road.

The Antrim board has genuine fears that despite the millions spent in recent years in the refurbishment of the 36,000 capacity venue it will become a white elephant if the Maze scheme goes ahead.

As part of any future deal to smooth the way forward for the Maze scheme the GAA is, it is understood, is prepared to provide assurances that Casement Park will be used for the hosting of major games.

"We want to concentrate on the positives," a spokesman said.

"Any new stadium should be seen as complimentary to, rather than a direct competitor for Casement Park.

"The rapid expansion of Gaelic games will require additional facilities in the years ahead."

The use of the ground for an Ulster final has not been ruled out.

The findings of a special Ulster council subcommittee on grassroots opinion will be forwarded to Croke Park.

But the Belfast Telegraph has learned that the GAA will not allow the issue to be treated as any form of referendum based around emotional rhetoric.

The Belfast Telegraph has learned that representatives of the Ulster council headed by the president Michael Greenan and secretary Danny Murphy will take the final decision on the Maze before their recommendations are forwarded to the GAA's Central Council.

The 42,000 capacity stadium concept has the full backing of both the British and Irish governments, as well the local political parties, as being able to provide the template for a working reality of a shared future for Northern Ireland through the medium of sport.

The GAA, as the single most important sports element in securing cross-community backing of the project, has also signalled its positive intent.

The message that the GAA is convinced is the correct one to get across is that the economic benefits of expanding the sporting horizons of Northern Ireland to just eight miles outside the city of Belfast has the potential to redraw mindsets as well as maps.


© 2006 Independent News and Media (NI)

P.S. I appreciate this subject has been touched on before in this Section, but it seems to have been some time ago, with events having moved on since