Jarlath Burns on GAA and Academic Selection

[Agent Orange]

I didnt post anything hateful about anyone. Gary is overbearing and annoying, but thanks for trawling back through my posts over the last 6 months. You are very easily offended.

[Dougal Maguire]

Nothing hateful??  You listed him as a contender on the Top 10 Twits of 2011 and followed it up with a photo.  I didn't need to trawl back because I remembered being shocked about it at the time. How would you like if someone did that to your son?

[Agent Orange]

I am sure he has been called worse. What concern is it of yours?

[Lazer]

I have no objection to academic selection - in fact i think it is much better than the comprehensive system.

With the comprehensive system, selection is based on money (In an indirect way of course, but the reality of it is that the weathly can buy or rent the houses next to the good schools, whereas the cheaper house are available next to the lower performing schools) - in an ideal world the comprehensive system works, as all schools are equal, but this is not the reality.
There will always be some form of selection, so In my opinion academic selection is by far the fairest. It also makes it easier for everyone to learn at the right pace.
A child at 11, who is clever, but from a poor family, living in some huge Belfast estate with unemployed parents, grandparents etc, passes his/her 11-plus and goes off the grammar school, this opens a lot of options, options they maybe never even knew existed. Had they went to the local school with a group of friends, would they have noticed the options?

I disagree with tuturing, and I think people that get their children tutured for the 11-plus are mad, yes it may get your child into grammar school, but what happens when they get there, they can't keep up with the work fall behind etc. This child would be far better suited to the secondary school and in the class which is streamed to their ability.

[Dougal Maguire]

I am sure he has been called worse. What concern is it of yours?

I would doubt whether a star footballer that the cream of the grammar schools in Newry was throwing open its doors for, would ever be called anything like that either privately or, more importantly, in a public internet forum with a photo thrown in for good measure.

The concern for me is that I hate bullying in any shape make or form and that's what your post about young Boyd amounted to.

[Agent Orange]

The concern for me is that I hate bullying in any shape make or form and that's what your post about young Boyd amounted to.

Bullying, you really need to get out more, do you really class what I said about an over bearing salesman in a clothes shop as bullying? And young Boyd as you so nicely put it is actually a few years older then me. But before you answer maybe you should have a read through your own posts.

Conor toffee nose Bradford and Seamus insincere t**t McKee.

As far as I'm concerned the woman deserves a medal for staying with the pretentious cnut for so long

No harm to the bride but she's no looker. Mind you neither were any of the bridesmaids

I see Jade has a new book out.  Gives new meaning to the term Ghost Writer. It's called My Battle Against Cancer. Now I don't want to spoil the ending but...

I could trawl through the rest of your posts, but the above quotes are only from your first few pages, I am sure there are more.

It isn't my fault your son didn't get in to the college. He obviously takes after his dad when it comes to intelligence.

[Dougal Maguire]

You really outdo yourself. Firstly every post you copied is about someone in the public eye and therefore fair game. Boyd, young or old is not. He's just an ordinary guy trying to run a business. Secondly, where did you take it that my son didn't get to the College?

[Agent Orange]

You couldn't have chosen a more appropriate username.

[Dougal Maguire]

This coming from a man who has publicly stated that Pete McGrath told him that his son was getting into St Colman's regardless of his 11+ result.

[Agent Orange]

This coming from a man who has publicly stated that Pete McGrath told him that his son was getting into St Colman's regardless of his 11+ result.

And where is the problem with that. He was an outstanding footballer, but as already stated he passed his 11+. Is there a part of that you don't understand?
My original remark was in response to thewobbler's comment that Grammar schools don't have a recruitment drive in place for primary schools. McGraths knowledge of my sons ability proves that they do, but thewobbler has a point that it doesn't really mater come MacRory Cup time, any physical advantage at age 11 is usually gone by the age of 16.

[Dougal Maguire]

This coming from a man who has publicly stated that Pete McGrath told him that his son was getting into St Colman's regardless of his 11+ result.

And where is the problem with that. He was an outstanding footballer, but as already stated he passed his 11+. Is there a part of that you don't understand?
My original remark was in response to thewobbler's comment that Grammar schools don't have a recruitment drive in place for primary schools. McGraths knowledge of my sons ability proves that they do, but thewobbler has a point that it doesn't really mater come MacRory Cup time, any physical advantage at age 11 is usually gone by the age of 16.

You stated that Pete had told you he was getting in regardless of his 11+ grade. It's not something that I'd have stated publicly. Indeed I'd be pretty sure that when Pete said it to you he wouldn't have expected you to be so indiscreet as to blurt it out on an Internet forum.

And another thing, in an earlier post you suggested that my son did not go to the College. I asked you for evidence as to how you reached this conclusion but you were unable to provide this. For your information I have 3 children the oldest boy passed the 11+ went to St Colman's, his father's alma mater, and his choice. He is now at University. The second, my daughter, also passed the 11+ and is at the Sacred Heart, her mother's alma mater and again her choice. The youngest also passed the 11+ and chose to go to a secondary school.

I have no desire to continue to feud with you. There is more to life

[Agent Orange]

Indeed, like what if Gary Boyd ever found out who you are and sued you for what you posted about him on another thread. Indeed if I recall you were even daft enough to follow it up with a photo of him

https://www.facebook.com/pages/i-walk-the-other-way-when-black-curly-hair-dude-approaches-me-in-louis-boyd/332397567828

Me and 9622 others.

[Dougal Maguire]

Whatever you think yourself

[Agent Orange]

Almost an hour to reply? You are usually on the ball Dougal.