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Reports today that homophobic slogans have been written over it.  Shame.

I still haven't convinced you all it is Ardboe?  Go and see for yourselves and get back to me.

Do any of the Northern born or based posters who support the Republic of Ireland soccer team not feel a bit nomadic if they go to or watch Republic of Ireland games?  They might feel that it's their team, but the team itself and South of Ireland born and based fans don't really agree?

Inisceithleann your argument would hold water if indeed North of Ireland "fans" were indeed football fans. They are first and foremost staunch unionists/loyalists who use a so called international football team as a badge of political identity. Therein lies the crux of the problem

I know what you mean, Mr Fearon.  Bishop Tony Farquhar always says that's why he's such a big fan of the Northern Ireland soccer team.

There are suggestions that, in any new stadium, only neutral flags and anthems will be flown / played.  How would this go down with GAA and more vociferous soccer people, I doubt if it would annoy the rugger buggers too much.

No contest - Ardboe: it's so bad, even the tumbleweed has abandoned it.

Now will one of you nice men tell me how do I claim my prize?

Snatter, I am not 'a guy' unless you meant that as a general 'you guys' term and wouldn't have any desire to be fairer or less fair to any sports, except game sprts and maybe fishing.

What;s with this 'second class citizens' stuff?  That's very 1970s - OK, rugby is a more middle class sport but soccer is played by all sorts.  Is GAA not cross-comunity then, is that what you mean? Why is that?

I know that gaelic games need bigger pitches, but a bigger stadium?  How many stadia does the GAA need?  Has the GAA actually promised to play any big games at any Maze stadium, in fact, ANY new stadium?

A new stadium isn't needed at all - health service in crisis, schools closing, water infrastructure poor with charges to come.  A shiny stadium that will hardly ever be used, no thanks.

Snatter,

The Maze Stadium (stadium itself, infrastructure to and from it, clean-up costs, on-going maintenance and running costs) is going to cost hundreds of millions of pounds, in addition to the taxpayer losing out on the value of the land there which could be sold to private developers for hundreds of millions of pounds, too.

Sorry, but you won't convince me and a large number of others that this would represent good valiue for money when there are finite resources and any number of more deserving and/or viable causes.

The three could make excellent use of, say, £30m at each of their main grounds in NI.  In fact, there would also be money available for grass roots sport and other sports, too, which are being ignored in all this.

Affordable housing at the Maze and possibly the RUAS moving there (they seem enthusiatic where the GAA, IFA and IRFU are at best luke-warm) with the Balmoral Show are much better ideas.

Whether they keep something to do with the Maze Prison and Long Kesh camp is neither here nor there with me, as long as its not tasteless.

Snatter, Do you not think it is more likely to go pear shaped because it is a ridiculous idea that would cost mega millions which would be much better spent on important things that are necessary and would represent better value for taxpayers money?

Mary has these people to her big house and hubby Martin enjoys a round or two with some of them on the course.

Gweltyah, what about shockingly anti-irish/gaa/nationalist stuff thats posted on here?
I'm surprised you didnt mention any of that, especially as a lot of it comes from you.

At least we dont spend our day over on OWC trying to stir up arguments 

But again, rather that comment on the title subject you reply, not to condemn the comments, but to point out the "balancing" comments from the other side, as you perceive them, how terribly original 

You know what, I think you're badly in need of relief - ANY relief.  Hope you're old enough and that someone will even take you by the hand.

EG, it's been aeons since I attended a soccer match at WP, but I have to say that its proximity to the Village did give me the heebie-jeebies, and though I don't doubt your statement that it can be accessed easily and safely, you have to admit that, rightly or wrongly, Nationalists might well feel uneasy going there.

Now, I know I'm naïve, but can someone explain to me why exactly this ground has to be at the Maze.  Surely there's got to be some piece of land in Belfast that can accommodate this stadium and be acceptable to all segments of the community.

Good points, but sure the Maze is 'free' and the island of Ireland hasn't had a Millenium Dome of its own, so time we got one surely at Maze.

Sounds very much like "Eire Nua" there FAM.

Yes, official Republican Sinn Fein as opposed to PSF (Partitionist Sinn  Fein) policy, isnt it?

Willie's a stange one all-right and pretty bitter - though he has had a lot to be bitter about with all the violent deaths in his family in the Troubles - but he certainly knows how to annoy militant republicans, even those who say the war is over and have accepted partition and the Queen's shilling.

If their war really is over, shouldn't they be embracing Willie, too?

Excellent news, more choice.

What's not reported here is that Aer Lingus is likely to use Aldergrove as its UK hub, but then that wouldn't suit the agenda.

As I said, good news.