Booze at GAA games

[Baile Brigín 2]

BB, Pairc Esler and Newry Showgrounds are 150m apart.

Esler has 5 times the capacity and 7-8 times the attendances. And there's no police presence, and no trouble.

Twice a year when Linfield play in Newry (or well, until recently when they got relegated), the local "recreational rioters" (as you describe them) come out to play. If they have good fun and get the right response from the opposition and the PSNI, they might pop in for Glentoran games too.

These crowds of 1500 odd people then need 20+ policemen to ensure things don't get entirely out of hand.

So tell me, why do the "recreational rioters' of towns as far apart d Newry and Derry, never target Gaelic Games in their area, but regularly target soccer in their area?

You answered your own question for Newry

No I didn't.

The only time a mob has gathered up in Newry the past 15 years, is for soccer matches.

And what links the two specific clubs *you* mentioned...?

Stop playing the thick.

[Franko]

BB, Pairc Esler and Newry Showgrounds are 150m apart.

Esler has 5 times the capacity and 7-8 times the attendances. And there's no police presence, and no trouble.

Twice a year when Linfield play in Newry (or well, until recently when they got relegated), the local "recreational rioters" (as you describe them) come out to play. If they have good fun and get the right response from the opposition and the PSNI, they might pop in for Glentoran games too.

These crowds of 1500 odd people then need 20+ policemen to ensure things don't get entirely out of hand.

So tell me, why do the "recreational rioters' of towns as far apart d Newry and Derry, never target Gaelic Games in their area, but regularly target soccer in their area?

You answered your own question for Newry

No I didn't.

The only time a mob has gathered up in Newry the past 15 years, is for soccer matches.

And what links the two specific clubs *you* mentioned...?

Stop playing the thick.

So what was this all about then?  Thrashing around looking for anything to grasp at to deflect?

"Have you ever been to Derry?

The local shites are just as likely to pop at fans at Celtic Park as they are the Brandywell. Literally next door. Same absence of cops. Would it be beyond reality for Dubs or Armagh fans to pop back? Would it then be simply GAA crowd trouble? Or a great deal more complicated?"

[Franko]

Ah boys I hate to come to the aid of BB2, but Armagh fans had their own battle of the bogside with a local shower of scumbags bag in the late 90s/early 00's. A Championship Sunday i think it was, a couple of bus loads were caught up in proper rows. A long time ago but they were a rent a mob.

Vastly different cases

A gang of hoodlum soccer fans travelled from Dublin (by BB2's own admission) specifically for a fight - for no other reason

They didn't have tickets for the game and (again BB2) they couldn't have got one 'even if they tried'

This wasn't a spur of the moment thing - it was a pre-arranged riot and a culture of this thrives in soccer

Much as it pains our resident groundball aficionado - this phenomenon simply doesn't exist in the GAA

[Baile Brigín 2]

BB, Pairc Esler and Newry Showgrounds are 150m apart.

Esler has 5 times the capacity and 7-8 times the attendances. And there's no police presence, and no trouble.

Twice a year when Linfield play in Newry (or well, until recently when they got relegated), the local "recreational rioters" (as you describe them) come out to play. If they have good fun and get the right response from the opposition and the PSNI, they might pop in for Glentoran games too.

These crowds of 1500 odd people then need 20+ policemen to ensure things don't get entirely out of hand.

So tell me, why do the "recreational rioters' of towns as far apart d Newry and Derry, never target Gaelic Games in their area, but regularly target soccer in their area?

You answered your own question for Newry

No I didn't.

The only time a mob has gathered up in Newry the past 15 years, is for soccer matches.

And what links the two specific clubs *you* mentioned...?

Stop playing the thick.

So what was this all about then?  Thrashing around looking for anything to grasp at to deflect?

"Have you ever been to Derry?

The local shites are just as likely to pop at fans at Celtic Park as they are the Brandywell. Literally next door. Same absence of cops. Would it be beyond reality for Dubs or Armagh fans to pop back? Would it then be simply GAA crowd trouble? Or a great deal more complicated?"

Are you seriously asking why some of the headbangers in Newry react differently when loyalist teams are in town?

[Baile Brigín 2]

Ah boys I hate to come to the aid of BB2, but Armagh fans had their own battle of the bogside with a local shower of scumbags bag in the late 90s/early 00's. A Championship Sunday i think it was, a couple of bus loads were caught up in proper rows. A long time ago but they were a rent a mob.

Vastly different cases

A gang of hoodlum soccer fans travelled from Dublin (by BB2's own admission) specifically for a fight - for no other reason

They didn't have tickets for the game and (again BB2) they couldn't have got one 'even if they tried'

This wasn't a spur of the moment thing - it was a pre-arranged riot and a culture of this thrives in soccer

Much as it pains our resident groundball aficionado - this phenomenon simply doesn't exist in the GAA

Not that vast.

If on their next visit the Armagh fans were aggressively defensive and got their retaliation in first, would the GAA have a culture of hooliganism?

Or would we be pointing to the absolute lack of any policing in the area as a problem?

[Franko]

BB, Pairc Esler and Newry Showgrounds are 150m apart.

Esler has 5 times the capacity and 7-8 times the attendances. And there's no police presence, and no trouble.

Twice a year when Linfield play in Newry (or well, until recently when they got relegated), the local "recreational rioters" (as you describe them) come out to play. If they have good fun and get the right response from the opposition and the PSNI, they might pop in for Glentoran games too.

These crowds of 1500 odd people then need 20+ policemen to ensure things don't get entirely out of hand.

So tell me, why do the "recreational rioters' of towns as far apart d Newry and Derry, never target Gaelic Games in their area, but regularly target soccer in their area?

You answered your own question for Newry

No I didn't.

The only time a mob has gathered up in Newry the past 15 years, is for soccer matches.

And what links the two specific clubs *you* mentioned...?

Stop playing the thick.

So what was this all about then?  Thrashing around looking for anything to grasp at to deflect?

"Have you ever been to Derry?

The local shites are just as likely to pop at fans at Celtic Park as they are the Brandywell. Literally next door. Same absence of cops. Would it be beyond reality for Dubs or Armagh fans to pop back? Would it then be simply GAA crowd trouble? Or a great deal more complicated?"

Are you seriously asking why some of the headbangers in Newry react differently when loyalist teams are in town?

No I'm not.

To quote yourself - "stop playing the thick"

[Baile Brigín 2]

BB, Pairc Esler and Newry Showgrounds are 150m apart.

Esler has 5 times the capacity and 7-8 times the attendances. And there's no police presence, and no trouble.

Twice a year when Linfield play in Newry (or well, until recently when they got relegated), the local "recreational rioters" (as you describe them) come out to play. If they have good fun and get the right response from the opposition and the PSNI, they might pop in for Glentoran games too.

These crowds of 1500 odd people then need 20+ policemen to ensure things don't get entirely out of hand.

So tell me, why do the "recreational rioters' of towns as far apart d Newry and Derry, never target Gaelic Games in their area, but regularly target soccer in their area?

You answered your own question for Newry

No I didn't.

The only time a mob has gathered up in Newry the past 15 years, is for soccer matches.

And what links the two specific clubs *you* mentioned...?

Stop playing the thick.

So what was this all about then?  Thrashing around looking for anything to grasp at to deflect?

"Have you ever been to Derry?

The local shites are just as likely to pop at fans at Celtic Park as they are the Brandywell. Literally next door. Same absence of cops. Would it be beyond reality for Dubs or Armagh fans to pop back? Would it then be simply GAA crowd trouble? Or a great deal more complicated?"

Are you seriously asking why some of the headbangers in Newry react differently when loyalist teams are in town?

No I'm not.

To quote yourself - "stop playing the thick"

"So what was all this about?"

If the locals in Newry, as the example given is, come out to 'greet' Linfield and Glentoran, but not Cliftonville, is it a soccer issue or a broader social issue?

Serious question.

[Franko]

Ah boys I hate to come to the aid of BB2, but Armagh fans had their own battle of the bogside with a local shower of scumbags bag in the late 90s/early 00's. A Championship Sunday i think it was, a couple of bus loads were caught up in proper rows. A long time ago but they were a rent a mob.

Vastly different cases

A gang of hoodlum soccer fans travelled from Dublin (by BB2's own admission) specifically for a fight - for no other reason

They didn't have tickets for the game and (again BB2) they couldn't have got one 'even if they tried'

This wasn't a spur of the moment thing - it was a pre-arranged riot and a culture of this thrives in soccer

Much as it pains our resident groundball aficionado - this phenomenon simply doesn't exist in the GAA

Not that vast.

If on their next visit the Armagh fans were aggressively defensive and got their retaliation in first, would the GAA have a culture of hooliganism?

Or would we be pointing to the absolute lack of any policing in the area as a problem?

IF groups of fans regularly travelled to games with the sole purpose of having a scrap with a group of opposition fans/locals - then absolutely the GAA would have a problem with hooliganism

And if that was the case, we wouldn't be complaining that it was the fault of the police

It's a culture within the sport

It attracts yobs like magpies to a bottle top

And by way of proving my point - since this incident Armagh have been back in Celtic Park many times

And guess what

Your hypothetical incident never happened

[Franko]

BB, Pairc Esler and Newry Showgrounds are 150m apart.

Esler has 5 times the capacity and 7-8 times the attendances. And there's no police presence, and no trouble.

Twice a year when Linfield play in Newry (or well, until recently when they got relegated), the local "recreational rioters" (as you describe them) come out to play. If they have good fun and get the right response from the opposition and the PSNI, they might pop in for Glentoran games too.

These crowds of 1500 odd people then need 20+ policemen to ensure things don't get entirely out of hand.

So tell me, why do the "recreational rioters' of towns as far apart d Newry and Derry, never target Gaelic Games in their area, but regularly target soccer in their area?

You answered your own question for Newry

No I didn't.

The only time a mob has gathered up in Newry the past 15 years, is for soccer matches.

And what links the two specific clubs *you* mentioned...?

Stop playing the thick.

So what was this all about then?  Thrashing around looking for anything to grasp at to deflect?

"Have you ever been to Derry?

The local shites are just as likely to pop at fans at Celtic Park as they are the Brandywell. Literally next door. Same absence of cops. Would it be beyond reality for Dubs or Armagh fans to pop back? Would it then be simply GAA crowd trouble? Or a great deal more complicated?"

Are you seriously asking why some of the headbangers in Newry react differently when loyalist teams are in town?

No I'm not.

To quote yourself - "stop playing the thick"

"So what was all this about?"

If the locals in Newry, as the example given is, come out to 'greet' Linfield and Glentoran, but not Cliftonville, is it a soccer issue or a broader social issue?

Serious question.

OK I'll spell it out

You said that the Derry yobs were as likely to attack fans at Celtic Park as the Brandywell

You then went on to contend that the whole issue is nothing to do with soccer, but in fact it's orange v green

Clearly one of these statements by you is bullshit

Which is it?

[thewobbler]

The broader social issue, which takes place all across the UK, is that professional and semi professional soccer provides an arena for groups of young men to attach themselves as supporters, and engage in violence with other groups of attached supporters.

You can argue the toss about this one all you like. But it's a very real thing. It's very much a soccer thing only. And most of it can be traced to a) a culture that permeates hatred towards rivals, and b) a willingness by clubs to tolerate this culture, and and in some cases promote it as a healthy thing.

[Stickittotheman]

I grew up a stone's throw away from Celtic Park if you can excuse the pun. My parents still live there and are in their 60's now. Most people in the area are not interested in Gaelic games. Most of the young lads who would follow Derry City wouldn't have a notion that a Gaelic football match was to be played- never mind who was actually playing.

Personally I don't take my son to the Derry City games. He loves going to Celtic Park and we also go to watch Steelstown. The poison that is rife throughout soccer is really disgusting. It isn't a Derry City issue per se, more a societal one that is prevalent.

It is what annoys me when people Diss the area. Oh there is trouble because its the Brandywell. Yet 100 yards away 15k can attend a Gaelic match without any issues or segregation. That tells its own story.

[Baile Brigín 2]

BB, Pairc Esler and Newry Showgrounds are 150m apart.

Esler has 5 times the capacity and 7-8 times the attendances. And there's no police presence, and no trouble.

Twice a year when Linfield play in Newry (or well, until recently when they got relegated), the local "recreational rioters" (as you describe them) come out to play. If they have good fun and get the right response from the opposition and the PSNI, they might pop in for Glentoran games too.

These crowds of 1500 odd people then need 20+ policemen to ensure things don't get entirely out of hand.

So tell me, why do the "recreational rioters' of towns as far apart d Newry and Derry, never target Gaelic Games in their area, but regularly target soccer in their area?

You answered your own question for Newry

No I didn't.

The only time a mob has gathered up in Newry the past 15 years, is for soccer matches.

And what links the two specific clubs *you* mentioned...?

Stop playing the thick.

So what was this all about then?  Thrashing around looking for anything to grasp at to deflect?

"Have you ever been to Derry?

The local shites are just as likely to pop at fans at Celtic Park as they are the Brandywell. Literally next door. Same absence of cops. Would it be beyond reality for Dubs or Armagh fans to pop back? Would it then be simply GAA crowd trouble? Or a great deal more complicated?"

Are you seriously asking why some of the headbangers in Newry react differently when loyalist teams are in town?

No I'm not.

To quote yourself - "stop playing the thick"

"So what was all this about?"

If the locals in Newry, as the example given is, come out to 'greet' Linfield and Glentoran, but not Cliftonville, is it a soccer issue or a broader social issue?

Serious question.

OK I'll spell it out

You said that the Derry yobs were as likely to attack fans at Celtic Park as the Brandywell

You then went on to contend that the whole issue is nothing to do with soccer, but in fact it's orange v green

Clearly one of these statements by you is bullshit

Which is it?

But I didn't actually say either of those things.

I said last Friday was a great deal more complicated than a simple soccer dustup.

[Rossfan]

Stop digging.
Just cop on that it's a soccer problem.
I can go to any big GAA stadium and I'm not asked " home or away Section?"

[Captain Scarlet]

It's a soccer problem that most clubs in England have stamped out. I was at Brentford (when they were still Championship at a game in Griffin Park. It was famous for having a ub on every corner and we duly pottered around.
Great craic with Brentford and Ipswich fans the exact same way as you would before any county match. Then last year I went to Wimbledon and again great day out, family fun, etc.
Then a few weeks back it was Shels v Pats and these wannabe Danny Dyers were marching down Drumcondra and next thing pint bottles and glasses were flying as they walked by the pub with Shels fans outside. Two Garda vans were trailing them.
The stupid thing was in the pub there were Pats and Shels fans chatting away having a drink. I really don't understand that craic at all. And it is a LOI thing with every club having scummers attached. It's a pity as overall the league is getting a lot of positivity.

[marty34]

It's a soccer problem that most clubs in England have stamped out. I was at Brentford (when they were still Championship at a game in Griffin Park. It was famous for having a ub on every corner and we duly pottered around.
Great craic with Brentford and Ipswich fans the exact same way as you would before any county match. Then last year I went to Wimbledon and again great day out, family fun, etc.
Then a few weeks back it was Shels v Pats and these wannabe Danny Dyers were marching down Drumcondra and next thing pint bottles and glasses were flying as they walked by the pub with Shels fans outside. Two Garda vans were trailing them.
The stupid thing was in the pub there were Pats and Shels fans chatting away having a drink. I really don't understand that craic at all. And it is a LOI thing with every club having scummers attached. It's a pity as overall the league is getting a lot of positivity.

Seems that LOI soccer 'fans' are 25 years behind in terms of football hooliganism.