GAABoard says no to mutilation of the National Anthem

[Trevor Hill]

I like pipe bands, really like their music. Much rather have a good pipe band than the Artane boys band.
I have to agree that these "singers" are murdering the national anthem. Its time it stopped. In saying that I was at a game in Iniskeen earlier this year and the man who had been announcing the teams sang Amhrán na bhFiann with pride and passion and the crowd joined him. It was the best rendition of the anthem that I have ever heard.

[Rav67]

Personally I'd like to see the practice of playing the anthem scrapped except before AI finals, well maybe all finals at a stretch.  I can't see why its necessary to play it before every bloody game, I can see why it started a long time ago but we're not at war any more.  The whole charade belongs to a different era.  And if we're serious about spreading the game to other countries we can hardly expect them to play our anthem before a match.

[muppet]

Personally I'd like to see the practice of playing the anthem scrapped except before AI finals, well maybe all finals at a stretch.  I can't see why its necessary to play it before every bloody game, I can see why it started a long time ago but we're not at war any more.  The whole charade belongs to a different era.  And if we're serious about spreading the game to other countries we can hardly expect them to play our anthem before a match.

Agreed. Overplaying the anthem does only damages it's standing in our society. Overplaying it badly is even worse.

[Hardy]

I agreer with the last three posts, disagree with the two before that and agree strongly with the one before that again. Anyone agree with me?

[muppet]

[mournerambler]

Personally I'd like to see the practice of playing the anthem scrapped except before AI finals, well maybe all finals at a stretch.  I can't see why its necessary to play it before every bloody game, I can see why it started a long time ago but we're not at war any more.  The whole charade belongs to a different era.  And if we're serious about spreading the game to other countries we can hardly expect them to play our anthem before a match.

Bullshit Rav67, are you ashamed of your Irish identity or what is your problem with playing the Anthem of our Country?
The majority of people attending games will feel a sense of pride when standing for the Anthem before a game.

[Rav67]

Personally I'd like to see the practice of playing the anthem scrapped except before AI finals, well maybe all finals at a stretch.  I can't see why its necessary to play it before every bloody game, I can see why it started a long time ago but we're not at war any more.  The whole charade belongs to a different era.  And if we're serious about spreading the game to other countries we can hardly expect them to play our anthem before a match.

Bullshit Rav67, are you ashamed of your Irish identity or what is your problem with playing the Anthem of our Country?
The majority of people attending games will feel a sense of pride when standing for the Anthem before a game.

Definitely not, just think its well overplayed and I don;t need to stand for an anthem to remind me to "feel a sense of pride" in being Irish or indeed pride in being part of the gaa.  The one benefit is that it does generate a bit of atmosphere at the throw-in.

I think AI finals are a national occasion so its right that the anthem is played, I think its right that its played in international rules as they are representing the nation but why do 2 teams both full of Irish players playing an Irish sport have to stand for their country's anthem before they play any game? Doesn't happen in any other sport.  Usually excessive flag-waving/anthem playing/outward displays of patriotism at every turn are associated with backward or insecure countries, or America.  Another annoyance about it is the inconsistency, the anthem is played at every county game and then some club championship games but not all and obviously at no club league games.  What is the exact rule re the anthem btw?

[rosnarun]

the problem with pipe bands is they need at least a hundred members in a big pitch to be heard properly. the idea of the is to overpower anf frighten the people. C
ertainly seems to have that effect noth of the border anyway . look at the Garvahy road the locals were petrified.

[ONeill]

8 pipers with all drones blaring is all that is needed. Plus the drummers.

The anthem on the pipes is shite though. A Nation Once Again is much better or I Buried My Wife And Am Dancing On Her Grave.

I also agree with the scrapping of the Anthem unless it's a provincial final or AI final. Sure the majority of southerners don't respect it anyways. They would if it was some song about making money, the economy or thieving.

[ONeill]

Some other alternative anthems:

Leitrim: Where The Streets Have No Name
Meath: Bad To The Bone
Mayo: Another One Bites The Dust
Limerick: I Fought the Law

Armagh:

I Like Apples

Red apples,
Big apples,
Good apples,
Yummy apples,
Any kind of apples,
I like apples!

An apple on the tree,
An apple in the basket,
An apple in a fridge,
An apple in a store,
I like apples!

[jodyb]

Get rid of effing pipe bands.

What purpose do they serve?

I hate them, I hate their music (they all have just 2 tunes and one of them is Scotland the Brave) and I hate their skirts.

I hate the parade beforehand. I hate their version of Amhrán na bhFiann.

I JUST f**king HATE PIPE BANDS.

Anyone agree?

Well I don't. I think the parade is a great tradition of GAA matches and the roar of the crowd from the side as the band approaches def gets the crowd going in my opinion. I do agree that these whiny shitty singers are brutal and do nothing for the match athmosphere. I'd prefer to have the marching band play the anthem. I wish some of the "supporters" could show a bit of respect and not start roaring like buffons half way through. The cork kerry match on saturday was very bad.

Think thats the whole rationale for having a soloist, less likely to be disrespected than a band or a recording

[jodyb]

What is the exact rule re the anthem btw?

Stand up, face the flag and sit down once the cat has been fully strangled.

an take your fcukin cap off!! 

[rosnarun]

or one for Ryan Mcmemimen

White Boots Marching In a Yellow Land
and the while county
Goodbye Sam hello Samantha

[SLIGONIAN]

Get rid of effing pipe bands.

What purpose do they serve?

I hate them, I hate their music (they all have just 2 tunes and one of them is Scotland the Brave) and I hate their skirts.

I hate the parade beforehand. I hate their version of Amhrán na bhFiann.

I JUST f**king HATE PIPE BANDS.

Anyone agree?

In this day and age we should have cheerleaders,  ,

Pointless topic..

[Muzz]

Theres a young girl that sings the anthem in Omagh and it would raise the hairs on the back of your neck.  Really good rendition!  Well I think anyways.