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https://www.ft.com/content/4748d385-877b-40f3-a1ca-0b8ed5177658
Ireland is an island nation that did not have a navy until 1946, had run out of ships by 1969 and is now so under-resourced that only four of its eight vessels are in service. Lacking security infrastructure, it is also cut off from those who might seek to help: friendly Nato nations are unable to communicate a potential hazard, such as an incoming Russian vessel, because Ireland lacks the intelligence systems to receive classified information, three European naval officers have told the FT.

They aren't that bad. The FT is on a sales pitch for big weapons. NATO can easily contact the DF.

During the cold war nobody bothered trying to sell us kit. Now we are rich they are queuing up and the FT in particular are pushing how it is our moral obligation to buy big

Soccer is based on an sectarian entity, any of the above is mere mitigation.

The thing is, Soccer was always an all-Ireland sport, until the Partitionist 26 Counties seceded and formed their own, separatist entity.

The game was based in Belfast. Bohemians and Shelbourne won the Cup. 8 out of 10 teams were from Belfast.  Soccer is partitionist. Rugby and GAA aren't. 

Even if I took your and Armaghniac's fairly witless simplifications at face value - which I obviously don't - I still cannot see what any of it has to do with the demographic problems facing the GAA.

You know, the subject of this thread, on this GAA forum?

Unless you have nothing better by which to avoid addressing the Elephant in the Room?

I agree we are on a tangent, but surely you can see why the Leinster Football Association split off?

Ah they're just right. They're still fit and healthy and happy at it. There's clearly a demand as well. They'll go til they drop.

Fine. But give over with repeatedly stating that they are finished

Jamie must get feck all  done.  Constantly running around  looking for things to complain about.

His lawn must be   6 foot high and the dishes piled high in  the sink.

He needs  a hobby or a sport to play. Maybe he  could join East Belfast GAA and  make use of  that hurl of his?

Who is this guy? Or more importantly, how does he consistently get access to the courts immediately despite not being a lawyer? And he keeps losing/wasting the courts time too...

I shall indulge your "whataboutery" for the moment, by pointing out that soccer is played/supported/administered in all parts of NI, by all communities. The NI Schools Cup, for example, attracts over 100 entrants every year, comprising state and fee-paying schools, grammar, comprehensive, integrated, technical and Irish language schools from all areas. How does that compare eg with its GAA equivalent, the MacRory Cup?
Whilst all our representative sides, men and women, boys and girls are similarly mixed. The current Manager of the Senior Mens team, Michael O'Neill is ex-GAA, as is his Captain, Conor Bradley.
And I can tell you from my own, direct experience that there are more NI supporters from the Nationalist community than you might imagine - even if they don't broadcast it widely.

Anyhow, this is a GAA forum, so back to your Demographics, eh?

Soccer is based on an sectarian entity, any of the above is mere mitigation.

But more nationalists in the 6 play soccer than gaelic games...

That's just false, just like the south soccer dominates in the city like Derry & Belfast where the GAA are very outnumbered but the rest of the 6 counties are dominated by Gaelic games in nationalist areas.

More people play soccer in each of the 26 counties than Gaelic football. Why would that fact be different in the 6?

Sometimes I think some people want see Ireland lose, same in the soccer!

Not really. But when the goys bang on about how they are best on the world, schadenfreud does enter the conversation when the inevitible happens

So you're shaping your thoughts on our national rugby team on what a few people you don't know say... Got it, mature thinking

Basically, yes. If the rugby media insist on hyping them to that level, hard not to chuckle when they inevitably fall short.

Does this include fat over 40s running around made up local competitions?

Similar stat was bandied about saying that soccer is the most played sport in the Republic.

Which is true when you include the group of mates playing 5 a side of a Tuesday.

Gaelic football most played competitively I would say but most gaelic footballers play a bit of soccer in the winter which inflates the soccer figure, plus the old lads playing to stay fit

Incorrect. The ESRI and CSO do numbers on sport particpation and both have it as soccer, informal/5 a side, then Gaelic football. So the two most played games are both soccer. Every county has more soccer players. Interesting that a player who does both remains primarily a Gaelic player...

Sometimes I think some people want see Ireland lose, same in the soccer!

Not really. But when the goys bang on about how they are best on the world, schadenfreud does enter the conversation when the inevitible happens

I shall indulge your "whataboutery" for the moment, by pointing out that soccer is played/supported/administered in all parts of NI, by all communities. The NI Schools Cup, for example, attracts over 100 entrants every year, comprising state and fee-paying schools, grammar, comprehensive, integrated, technical and Irish language schools from all areas. How does that compare eg with its GAA equivalent, the MacRory Cup?
Whilst all our representative sides, men and women, boys and girls are similarly mixed. The current Manager of the Senior Mens team, Michael O'Neill is ex-GAA, as is his Captain, Conor Bradley.
And I can tell you from my own, direct experience that there are more NI supporters from the Nationalist community than you might imagine - even if they don't broadcast it widely.

Anyhow, this is a GAA forum, so back to your Demographics, eh?

Soccer is based on an sectarian entity, any of the above is mere mitigation.

But more nationalists in the 6 play soccer than gaelic games...

Why even bother replying to that twat.

No one was ever turned away from the GAA on the basis of creed, colour or sexuality

But the GAA constitution could be interpreted to exclude unionists.

The gaa was set up before partition so the constitution wasn't written to exclude unionists. The gaa was set up because the British were trying to eradicate Irish culture and language and trying to impose british culture and sports. In the circumstances the constitution wasn't written completely understandable and reasonable.

Agreed. But in 2025 is it due a refresh?

Why even bother replying to that twat.

No one was ever turned away from the GAA on the basis of creed, colour or sexuality

But the GAA constitution could be interpreted to exclude unionists.

Remi Moses played for Man UTD and WBA back in the '70s. Good player capped for England. I remember the banner at the '77 Cup final, United V Liverpool.
'Moses will part the Red Sea'... tarra what sticks in the memory. Long time ago.
RIP..

Reports are he is alive and well.

A  funeral for him  is planned for 13 December  though. Not sure what's going on there

The wife contacted Man U to say he was dead and when the funeral was.

One of his kids say he is alive and well.

Until he posts a picture of himself with a dated newspaper I won't know what to believe.

This has a quarter final loss written all over it

Giving money to soccer is a total waste of taxpayers money!

As opposed to the splendid returns GAA grounds provide? The celtic tiger era county ground rebuilds were the definition of white elephant.

But I assume soccer will say give them some taxpayers money and let's find out.

Doubt it, at that stage they won't need a provincial ground in the 6, it will all be one Ireland, Clones will keep getting face-lifts maybe some new bogs, it might get an Armagh type ground at most.

The Irish government can more easily spend money on Clones than a regular ground for Antrim.

Is this not blindingly obvious? Whatever about getting the Euros, €50m to Casement and nothing in the pot for Louth/Meath/Dalymount/Finn park/soccer in general is electoral suicide. And yes, there is a partitionist aspect to this. Sticking one to the DUP isn't a huge vote winner when there are clear other uses for the capital grants programme.

Louth and Meath don't need a big stadium.  The FAI can't afford to sponsor Dalymount or Finn Park. Most people don't pay attention and €50 million is peanuts

Not really the point. Casement is a shitshow. There are no votes in it. But people will point to the shit state of their teams facilities and say 'hold on' and there are votes in that.