Ringland quits UUP over stance on GAA

[RadioGAAGAA]

BTW, take a redner on listing your medals, self praise is no praise...

Self praise is no recommendation.... 

[Maguire01]

From HoganStand

Former GAA chief rebukes "stale and tired" Unionist leader
Former GAA President Nicky Brennan
08 October 2010

Nickey Brennan, the former President of the GAA, has declared that the improvement in cross-community relations over the past decade cannot be allowed to be undermined by comments from recently elected Ulster Unionist Party leader Tom Elliott.

Speaking last week, Elliott insisted he had no intention of ever attending a GAA match.

His comments prompted a stern response from his UUP colleague and former Ireland rugby international Trevor Ringland, who promised Elliott two tickets for next year's All-Ireland football final if an Ulster side was involved.



And Brennan, who engaged in productive meetings with Unionist members of the Northern Assembly during his time as GAA President between 2006 and 2009, believes the comments of the new UUP chief do not belong to the new mindset of togetherness north of the border.

In his Kilkenny People column, Brennan wrote, "Ringland, a noted campaigner against sectarianism and [defeated leadership candidate Basil] McCrea have developed a strong rapport with GAA officials in Ulster and recognise the need to develop good relations with the Association.

"I have no doubt that Tom Elliott is a decent man who holds his Unionist beliefs very dearly. Nevertheless, he has a duty to foster and support the good work of organisations who clearly work hard at building improved relations across communities throughout Northern Ireland. The tremendous progress made over the past decade or more cannot or will not be reversed.

"Tom Elliott has a challenge on his hands to regain ground for the UUP from the stronger element of Unionism, the DUP. Ranting on about not attending GAA matches is a stale and tired tactic that deserved the reaction it received from Trevor Ringland."

[Eamonnca1]

From HoganStand

Former GAA chief rebukes "stale and tired" Unionist leader
Former GAA President Nicky Brennan
08 October 2010

Nickey Brennan, the former President of the GAA, has declared that the improvement in cross-community relations over the past decade cannot be allowed to be undermined by comments from recently elected Ulster Unionist Party leader Tom Elliott.

Speaking last week, Elliott insisted he had no intention of ever attending a GAA match.

His comments prompted a stern response from his UUP colleague and former Ireland rugby international Trevor Ringland, who promised Elliott two tickets for next year's All-Ireland football final if an Ulster side was involved.



And Brennan, who engaged in productive meetings with Unionist members of the Northern Assembly during his time as GAA President between 2006 and 2009, believes the comments of the new UUP chief do not belong to the new mindset of togetherness north of the border.

In his Kilkenny People column, Brennan wrote, "Ringland, a noted campaigner against sectarianism and [defeated leadership candidate Basil] McCrea have developed a strong rapport with GAA officials in Ulster and recognise the need to develop good relations with the Association.

"I have no doubt that Tom Elliott is a decent man who holds his Unionist beliefs very dearly. Nevertheless, he has a duty to foster and support the good work of organisations who clearly work hard at building improved relations across communities throughout Northern Ireland. The tremendous progress made over the past decade or more cannot or will not be reversed.

"Tom Elliott has a challenge on his hands to regain ground for the UUP from the stronger element of Unionism, the DUP. Ranting on about not attending GAA matches is a stale and tired tactic that deserved the reaction it received from Trevor Ringland."

Amen, brother.