A Different Ball Game - The Future of the GAA in Northern Ireland

[heffo]

I think GNevin is right Croí. The flag is supposed to be taken down at nightfall.

What about de other home Dublin matches in de last 2 years, surely they weren't all played under lights???

No. Kerry last year and Monaghan 2006 were on Sunday afternoon.

[Gnevin]

I think GNevin is right Croí. The flag is supposed to be taken down at nightfall.

I take ur point but sure it's a bit pointless turning to face the flag during de anthem with no flag there  What about de other home Dublin matches in de last 2 years, surely they weren't all played under lights???

All the football ones where . Can anyone remember if the Tricolour was flown for the Dublin  V Tyrone game in Croker last year?

I thought it was, certainly don't remember not seeing it when I turned around. So de flag has been flown for the home hurling matches then I take it???

Yes but the mostly take place on Sunday afternoon

[pintsofguinness]

gnevin you seem to be shamed of your history or something, what is the issue?

You seem to be terribly naive if you think a flag and an anthem will make a difference to unionists (despite their claims).  There is no flag or anthem at a vast majority of GAA games and I don't see many unionists attending these games and then refusing to go to ones where there will be a flag and anthem. 

What else would you like to change about the gaa to make it more acceptable to unionists?  Change the names of cups and grounds?  Are you ashamed of our history?

Btw I can't think of any sporting organisation where it's just about the sport. 

[saffron sam2]

Crap, ignorant article aimed, I would assume, at an equally ignorant audience.

Anyone know anything about the author.

I read it all and will give a more substantive analysis when I get the chance.

However I do think that the topic of the article could easily have been "The Future of Sport in Northern Ireland" or indeed simply "The Future of Northern Ireland".

[Gnevin]

gnevin you seem to be shamed of your history or something, what is the issue?

You seem to be terribly naive if you think a flag and an anthem will make a difference to unionists (despite their claims).  There is no flag or anthem at a vast majority of GAA games and I don't see many unionists attending these games and then refusing to go to ones where there will be a flag and anthem. 

What else would you like to change about the gaa to make it more acceptable to unionists?  Change the names of cups and grounds?  Are you ashamed of our history?

Btw I can't think of any sporting organisation where it's just about the sport. 

Not ashamed of my History
I don't think it will make a difference to them all buy many be a few .
The flag isn't core too the association .

[Pangurban]

As Gnevin limits his contributions to attacking the views of others, particularly those he perceives to be northern nationalists, it would be helpful towards the advancement of this debate, if he were to state his own views of and vision for the G.A.A. in the twenty-first century. I suspect they would be very enlightening and reveal a distorted political and cultural view fed by the foriegn press which dominates media life in Ireland today. Go to it Gnevin, if you are man enough

[Gnevin]

As Gnevin limits his contributions to attacking the views of others, particularly those he perceives to be northern nationalists, it would be helpful towards the advancement of this debate, if he were to state his own views of and vision for the G.A.A. in the twenty-first century. I suspect they would be very enlightening and reveal a distorted political and cultural view fed by the foriegn press which dominates media life in Ireland today. Go to it Gnevin, if you are man enough

I haven't attacked anyone and my contributions are not limited to any one topic !

I'd be happy with

To describe this contrived ill thought out piece as incisive, is demeaning language. From its very foundation the G.A.A. has always been clear and upfront re. its position regarding the National question. The promotion of an irish identity within a sovereign irish state, has always been a core value. Membership is open to all regardless of religion or politics. As in every field of life, people who disagree with the aims and objectives of any organisation will not subscribe to or join that organisation. That is the reasonable view of the Unionist people of N.I.   For the G.A.A. to pretend to be something other than what it is, an attempt to promote itself as a mere sporting organisation, to widen its appeal, would be dishonest, and insulting to the intelligence of both communities. You can only reach out to people by stating your position honestly and with integrity. A debate based on any other premise is a fraud.

Why cant the GAA become non political , just be a sporting organisation a kin to the IRFU ,NFL

Why should the GAA change its entire ethos?

I agree with Pangurban completely.

Etho's what a great undefinable term. Some times i think you lot where happier during the troubles

The parish structure and the progression of players through teams, the whole community helping out or being part of the club in some way, makes it different than those other sporting administraive bodies that you mention.  Because it is so central in community spirit and cohesion, this inevitably makes the GAA more that "just a sporting organisation."  This is someting to be proud of, not something to try and change. 

Fostering a national identity is something that has always been an aim of the GAA, as long as this continues to be done in a non-threatening and inclusive manner why should it pose a problem to anyone?

Yeah not a problem with that up to the second paragraph  Switch national identity to Irish cultural identity and it's 100% .

I'd like to see a International GAA not a Nationalist GAA

[Pangurban]

At first glance that appears to be a contradiction in terms, but i think i know what you mean. The G.A.A. at present does have an international dimension, in so far that units of the association exist in many countries, made up mainly of emigrants but containing some first and second generations who are citizens of the country in which they reside. If this what you seek as an international dimension to build on and expand, then for once we are in agreement, certainly better than seeking to develop the bastarised International Rules series. But what do you see within the association as at present constituted would prevent the development of an international dimension

[Gnevin]

At first glance that appears to be a contradiction in terms, but i think i know what you mean. The G.A.A. at present does have an international dimension, in so far that units of the association exist in many countries, made up mainly of emigrants but containing some first and second generations who are citizens of the country in which they reside. If this what you seek as an international dimension to build on and expand, then for once we are in agreement, certainly better than seeking to develop the bastarised International Rules series. But what do you see within the association as at present constituted would prevent the development of an international dimension

I noting i suppose but i fail to see how "basic aim the strengthening of the National Identity of a 32 County Ireland" is relevant to a American who is interested in play football or hurling or how an Irish tricolour is relevant in China .

I rather the GAA reverted to it old aims of

   1. To foster and promote the native Irish pastimes.
   2. To open athletics to all social classes.
   3. To aid in the establishment of hurling and football clubs which would organise matches between counties.

[ardmhachaabu]

At first glance that appears to be a contradiction in terms, but i think i know what you mean. The G.A.A. at present does have an international dimension, in so far that units of the association exist in many countries, made up mainly of emigrants but containing some first and second generations who are citizens of the country in which they reside. If this what you seek as an international dimension to build on and expand, then for once we are in agreement, certainly better than seeking to develop the bastarised International Rules series. But what do you see within the association as at present constituted would prevent the development of an international dimension

I noting i suppose but i fail to see how "basic aim the strengthening of the National Identity of a 32 County Ireland" is relevant to a American who is interested in play football or hurling or how an Irish tricolour is relevant in China .

I rather the GAA reverted to it old aims of

   1. To foster and promote the native Irish pastimes.
   2. To open athletics to all social classes.
   3. To aid in the establishment of hurling and football clubs which would organise matches between counties.

So basically, you want to change what the Association says it stands for to (possibly) please a few unionists?
Tell me this gnevin, what's your master-plan for getting teachers in state schools in the north to teach Protestant kids how to play Gaelic games?

[Rossfan]

Why doesnt your club offer to coach them in your area?
Or is it better to keep the games exclusionist?

[ardmhachaabu]

How do you know my club doesn't? 

[Maguire01]

Tell me this gnevin, what's your master-plan for getting teachers in state schools in the north to teach Protestant kids how to play Gaelic games?

Or if we want to get even more off-topic, what about integrated education and everone having the opportunity to play GAA and Rugby at all schools?

[Rossfan]

How about Gaelic games in snooty Rugby Schools?
That Ban seems to be permanent.

[pintsofguinness]

Why doesnt your club offer to coach them in your area?
Or is it better to keep the games exclusionist?

Oh that's it!  Take the "taig only" sign down from the gate when the kids are training.  There's an idea.
With people like you and gnevin the future of the GAA is in safe hands 

Tell me this gnevin, what's your master-plan for getting teachers in state schools in the north to teach Protestant kids how to play Gaelic games?

Or if we want to get even more off-topic, what about integrated education and everone having the opportunity to play GAA and Rugby at all schools?

Yeah, good luck with that idea.
Maybe we should stick with things that are possible.