Long Kesh Park takes another step forward

[nifan]

Thank goodness for the Irish News! Whilst the Newsletter has been sending out mixed messages and the Belfast Telegraph has been craven in its sycophance to the Government over the Maze, the IN has consistently attempted to address the issues.

Of course, it will be no surprise that I agree entirely with Brendan Mulgrew's piece but one particular sentence caught my eye:

"While senior figure among the GAA are going along with the Maze among the grassroots members there is open and vocal disdain"

Is this correct?

No.

Ive certainly heard disdain from GAA fans I know.

[BallyhaiseMan]

i get the impression the Grassroots GAA in the main in Ulster dont give a f**k about the Maze project or any National Stadium project.
Certainly we dont in Cavan  we are of course part of the Ulster GAA and have a say in this matter 

[Deal_Me_In]

My opinion is that if there is a stadium being built for free that everyone can use then the GAA (being in the stronget position) can negotiate its location, we don't need one in Belfast as we already have Casement, somewhere near Dungannon or Armagh would be ideal but we will settle for the Maze. Also from the Belfast locations mentioned i would not feel happy going to any location for family (children esp) and property safety reasons, and for the fact that most matches would be in the height of the summer when the flags and bunting are intimidating enough in an area you are already unsure about.

[Donagh]

Most GAA members are apathetic no matter what spindoctors like Mulgrew say, who would hardly have his finger on the pulse and has a vested interest in developing Casement. However the constant whinging and crying by the soccer people is gradually turning a lot of people to support the Long Kesh venue.

[SammyG]

Most GAA members are apathetic no matter what spindoctors like Mulgrew say, who would hardly have his finger on the pulse and has a vested interest in developing Casement.

My reading would be that the no's and the apathetics would far outweigh the yes's

However the constant whinging and crying by the soccer people is gradually turning a lot of people to support the Long Kesh venue.

When have 'soccer people' been whinging or crying? How is arguing the case, based on facts, whinging or crying?

[Donagh]

Besides the fact that it would be ridiculous to include the 'apathetics' in any camp as they are essentially undecided, you are hardly the best person to judge i.e. you are not involved in the GAA and you are in the 'no' camp. If you want to gauge the feelings of grassroots GAA members you don't have to look much further than this board. We here are all members and I would say represent a good cross section of the GAA throughout the country. This issue will be decided by GAA Central Council, which is representative of all parts of the organization, who are committed to provide a world class stadium in Ulster. If this proposal works out then they can strike that of the 'to do list'. Somewhat conveniently it also allows them to continue their current cosy relationship with the other main Irish sporting body – which by the way if you are looking for conspiracy theories and unsaid, unwritten agreements the most obvious one is staring you in the face right there.


Re the whinging, the more it goes on and the more of you let slip with the anti-GAA comments, then it occurs to GAA members that you want out of shared stadium because you don't want to share with the GAA. That naturally leads the 'apathetics' to support the opposite of what you want. From my reading of the situation, that is what's happening in all Ulster counties outside Antrim, Monaghan and Cavan.

[SammyG]

Besides the fact that it would be ridiculous to include the 'apathetics' in any camp as they are essentially undecided, you are hardly the best person to judge i.e. you are not involved in the GAA and you are in the 'no' camp. If you want to gauge the feelings of grassroots GAA members you don't have to look much further than this board. We here are all members and I would say represent a good cross section of the GAA throughout the country. This issue will be decided by GAA Central Council, which is representative of all parts of the organization, who are committed to provide a world class stadium in Ulster. If this proposal works out then they can strike that of the 'to do list'. Somewhat conveniently it also allows them to continue their current cosy relationship with the other main Irish sporting body – which by the way if you are looking for conspiracy theories and unsaid, unwritten agreements the most obvious one is staring you in the face right there.

That would make a brilliant conspiracy theory if it wasn't for one important point. Ulster Rugby aren't moving to the Maze.

Re the whinging, the more it goes on and the more of you let slip with the anti-GAA comments, then it occurs to GAA members that you want out of shared stadium because you don't want to share with the GAA. That naturally leads the 'apathetics' to support the opposite of what you want. From my reading of the situation, that is what's happening in all Ulster counties outside Antrim, Monaghan and Cavan.

What anti-GAA comments? Everybody that I speak to (and all the posts on here and OWC) think the GAA have played a blinder. How is that anti-GAA?

As far as a shared stadium, I am on record and am happy to repeat again that I have no problem with sharing a stadium with anybody. Apart from anything else the more uses the stadium has the more chance it has of paying for itself. The issues with the Maze (infrastructure, public transport, roads, amenities, hotel space etc etc etc ) are nothing to do with it being a shared stadium.

[Donagh]

That would make a brilliant conspiracy theory if it wasn't for one important point. Ulster Rugby aren't moving to the Maze.

Well it has more credibility that the Burns story you posted and besides the plans wouldn't have gotten this far if the IRFU and GAA were not on board. They are people who will ultimately decide – not the Ulster Council or Ulster Rugby.

What anti-GAA comments? Everybody that I speak to (and all the posts on here and OWC) think the GAA have played a blinder. How is that anti-GAA?

Ah come on, one glance at OWC or Egs comments here, that other clown or the soccer people that phone into Radio Ulster, tell the grassroots GAA man all then need to know about their attitude to our Association.

[nifan]

However the constant whinging and crying by the soccer people is gradually turning a lot of people to support the Long Kesh venue.

So you think our concern over our sport is whinging and crying - what would you do if you didnt agree with a major decision to be taken by the GAA which you feel could damage it permenantly?

[Donagh]

However the constant whinging and crying by the soccer people is gradually turning a lot of people to support the Long Kesh venue.

So you think our concern over our sport is whinging and crying - what would you do if you didnt agree with a major decision to be taken by the GAA which you feel could damage it permenantly?

That's how it's coming across nifan. I'd probably do the same, but there are a lot of people in your camp who are not helping your cause.

[SammyG]

However the constant whinging and crying by the soccer people is gradually turning a lot of people to support the Long Kesh venue.

So you think our concern over our sport is whinging and crying - what would you do if you didnt agree with a major decision to be taken by the GAA which you feel could damage it permenantly?

That's how it's coming across nifan. I'd probably do the same, but there are a lot of people in your camp who are not helping your cause.

Like who?

[Gaoth Dobhair Abu]

Could someone do a poll on weither or not GAA supporters are in favour of Long Kesh, against or just don't give a fcuk! Post it on here or on the GAA side - please - it might end this circular arguement once and for all.........!!

[Donagh]

Like who?

Like the people I mentioned in my previous reply to you.

[Evil Genius]

What anti-GAA comments? Everybody that I speak to (and all the posts on here and OWC) think the GAA have played a blinder. How is that anti-GAA?

Ah come on, one glance at OWC or Egs comments here, that other clown or the soccer people that phone into Radio Ulster, tell the grassroots GAA man all then need to know about their attitude to our Association.

Where I have I displayed a negative or condemnatory attitude to the GAA over their response to the Maze?

When I posted:
"I suppose I must repeat for the hundredth time that I don't blame the GAA for playing their hand cleverly"

Or perhaps:
"...the GAA indicated (as is their right)..."

Maybe:
"Personally, I have no desire to get into a "them and us" argument with GAA fans. Those that have expressed a preference seem to prefer the Maze (or not Belfast, at any rate), which is fair enough"

Could it be:
"The GAA has said it doesn't wish to play in the city - that is their choice"

Even:
"And when GAA and rugby receive their share [of the money dedicated to the Maze], I will be entirely pleased for both those sports"

And:
"If the GAA considers that the Maze is appropriate for their crowds at the matches they allocate to it, then good for them"

Of course, it could be this:
"I have not been "sniping" at the GAA (on this topic, at least!), I admire the way they promote themselves to family audiences, I have no difficulty in accepting that it is more popular in NI than soccer (at least in terms of attendances)"

Or:
"I have nowhere criticised them [GAA] for using their position of strength to negotiate the deal which best suited them"

And:
"...it is only natural that we should resent the Government (not the GAA) for forcing us into a stadium which we don't want and can't afford"

Ahem:
"I don't blame the GAA for negotiating their case from a position of strength"

The fact is, you have a serious problem with anyone who dares to disagree with you; however, you rarely contest what they've actually posted, instead preferring to slate them personally. Or, as was posted as far back as page three of this thread:

Quote from: Evil Genius on June 19, 2007, 03:23:31 PM
"And God forbid that either of you could "play the ball", rather than "the man"..."

Reply from Donagh
"If you want to play by those rules, take your ball and fcuk off over to Slugger"

Charming as ever...

[Donagh]

Read back on the thread instead of quoting out of context. On this Board and OWC you have been quite clear on your views of the GAA.