Non-Gaa Forum - 3 Like(s)
Replying To zinny: "It doesn't offend me but I think you have let yourself down with this one.
Migrants globally could be broken down into two categories, Economic and those fleeing war and persecution. Those who are economic migrants while claiming to be the latter as a stain on the process and are making it harder globally for those who genuinely need help. I guess there is a third which are in the shadows and that is the slave/sex market which a bit like drugs wouldn't exist if the punter didn't but as with drugs the users seem very quick to absolve themselves of any blame for the problem.
In Ireland the facts speak for themselves and the vast majority of the migrants here are economic migrants, asylum seekers accounted for in 2023 less then 5% of all applications for entry into Ireland. Why do economic migrants chose to come to Ireland - all legally - its because they see opportunities in Ireland. However in your point 2, you do not trust these people. That is despite the fact that annually thousands of Irish people leave this country as economic migrants and head to other countries - what you are saying is that these Irish people should not be trusted in these countries. So you don't trust economic migrants even though they are essential to the workplace.
In your third point you have allowed yourself to slip into the right and I would say racist way of thinking. There seems to be an train of though that cultural assimilation should happen at the border and that a migrants should throw off their family's culture immediately and head off down to the pub for a few pints of Guinness. Yet when Irish people go abroad they are allowed wear their cultural badge with pride. Gaelic Games, the language, dancing etc. all celebrated around the world in places where the Irish as a speck of dust in comparison to the local culture - why is it that someone who comes to Ireland should suddenly need to forget their culture, language and religion because they are a minority? Some will integrate faster than others, some may never integrate but thats their choice. Your paragraph three is exactly what was used by Natzies to persecute the Jews - they are not one of us, they are different, they have a different religion,. In case you are thinking you are only referring to new arrivals, there have been Muslim and Jewish people in Ireland long before this recent wave of migration so where will people stop, is it just the new people that should give up their religion or should all the minorities do it.
So in 2023 if less than 5% of all the applications to enter the country were for asylum seekers why is there such a big deal being made about it - the answer to that is simple - they do not look like us. That makes them an easy target and once they have become the target all people who do not look like us become the target.
Just one final thought, it is not the fault of those people fleeing persecution that there is a housing crises in Ireland. Ireland was never a colonizer, it never started a war or influenced regime change so why do we have to burden ourselves with the results caused by others, I guess the answer to that depends on what each individual sees as the values they themselves believe in." I've no problem whatsoever with immigration in general Zinny. I am an immigrant. I came here fleeing the tyranny of Margaret Thatcher in the late 1980s ;-) The main slight problem I have with economic migrants is that in general many of them send some or alot of the money they earn out of the country. The other is that people not here for the long haul generally don't contribute much else other than tax to society. They tend not to get volunteerism, involvement in community etc. The last issue Id see is that they can't be that smart if they think the streets are paved with gold here, most of the wealth is concentrated in a minute percentage of the populations hands. Which wouldn't be too hard to find out in advance. Your last point is a little laughable insofar as I suspect I don't look like you. My point is nothing about looks/colour, nor really wholly about religion, but moreso about culture. Or as some/many might say around our village, culture boss, but that's a whole other debate when it comes to minorities and their treatment, deserved or otherwise. I don't believe that a lad needs to embrace the culture here on arrival, but surely to God if he could Google the relative wealth of countries he could also find out if the culture here is something he feels he could embrace or be a part of in the future. Using your example, how do you think the government in Tehran, or Hammas in Gaza, or any other Muslim government, would react to a bunch of us going over there and demanding the right to open bars selling Guinness?
Viking66 (National) - 14/10/2025 13:14:08
|
Non-Gaa Forum - 3 Like(s)
The back slapping, laughing and smirking by the Israeli parliament and the speech by Trump was grotesque. Boasting about all the military hardware he sent them.
No mention of the 1000s of innocent children murdered. The doctors and nurses blown up.
The only amusing thing is the confused MAGA fans on social media confused at the Israel first policy.
yew_tree (National) - 14/10/2025 14:11:39
|
Non-Gaa Forum - 3 Like(s)
Replying To slayer: "I disagree Zinny. I thought Viking66 got it pretty spot on. Perhaps it is you who has let yourself down by adding the 'racist' part to your post? You also did this by adding the word 'right' in close proximity. To your credit you don't say 'far right'.
But again you are taking us back to the point where asking questions is deemed racist and I do not think that is fair. Suggesting people who don't look like us are the reasons people on the right ask questions is bizarre and in my opinion very lazy thinking.
As for going the Nazi route - when anyone invokes that, I think they've lost the argument." I agree with you but I see the point zinny is making too. It's extremely easy to scapegoat "the foreigners" when our own ruling class have created or contributed to the social issues we're facing.
My original point was about having a reasonable conversation about immigration. It has already descended into accusations of racism.
Doylerwex (National) - 14/10/2025 11:03:00
|
Galway Hurling thread - 2 Like(s)
Replying To Pope_Benedict: "I think this 'Athenry atmosphere' thing is a figment of the imagination. A flattish terrace, coupled with a tiny stand, that you'd need to be a vip to get into. Poorish viewing vantage points all around, especially when packed out for semis and finals. Doubly disastrous then in inclement weather conditions. ." Whatever about athenry atmosphere there will be absolutely ZERO atmosphere in PS.
BigBàsMan (National) - 13/10/2025 21:00:53
|
Mayo GAA Thread - 2 Like(s)
Ah bless, Mayo are learning what its like to lose players to other sports
Football's been the only show in town and Mayo have taken advantage (or haven't, depending on your perspective) of that for long enough
PressureKick (National) - 14/10/2025 11:39:05
|
Galway Hurling thread - 2 Like(s)
Replying To batitout: "and Barna/Furbo and Salthill/Knocknacarra and Rahoon/Newcastle and Liam Mellows and Castlegar. I suppose we will never agree, so be it." People from Renmore/Castlegar would make Athenry before Pearse Stadium on match day.
TanCanRan (National) - 14/10/2025 10:06:41
|
Galway Hurling thread - 1 Like(s)
Replying To WanPintWin: "I'm not sure about that in terms of the players. The facilities are much better in Pearse Stadium, as well as the playing surface. Players will want the best conditions to perform and I'd say a lot of them would opt for Salthill." What are you talking about? Huge investment went into the Kenny Park surface last year, it's every bit as good as PS. Also, not sure if you've ever been in the PS dressing rooms, but they're hardly state of the art either.
TanCanRan (National) - 14/10/2025 12:57:33
|
Leitrim GAA thread - 1 Like(s)
Rynn Gaels (Gortletteragh and Bornacoola) won their Division One Minor semi-final at the weekend. The two neighbouring clubs came together a few years ago when they were struggling to field teams at 13-a-side. The amalgamation wasn't set up to chase underage titles like we've seen elsewhere recently, but to give their players exposure to 15-a-side football at a higher level.
Since then, the group has consistently competed at Division One level and are now finally enjoying the fruits of their hard work. Well done to both clubs, and best of luck in the final.
The county board could take note of this success story and try to apply the same common-sense approach to other proposed amalgamations. Hopefully, the success of the amalgamation will carry through to both clubs' adult teams in the years ahead.
southleitrim_mafia (National) - 14/10/2025 12:36:48
|
Monaghan GAA thread - 1 Like(s)
Replying To HB245: "No doubting there is good underage structure in place, but I'd like to think the vast majority of clubs in the county would be able to find a few senior players from every age group when you have 40+ boys at every age group. Make sure to give a big shoutout to the Currin underage structures also, as without it I don't believe you would have won a championship this year or last year, for all the numbers you have." For all the crying about Scotstowns numbers and transfer record the three biggest player pools in the county are all in intermediate and haven't dined at the top for a long time. I keep beating this drum and I won't stop, theres a lot of clubs in Monaghan that are massively underperforming with the resources available to them and when you look around you the county team has a bleak enough outlook compared to 10 years ago.
Jjoniel79 (National) - 14/10/2025 13:26:40
|
Monaghan GAA thread - 1 Like(s)
Replying To Jjoniel79: "For all the crying about Scotstowns numbers and transfer record the three biggest player pools in the county are all in intermediate and haven't dined at the top for a long time. I keep beating this drum and I won't stop, theres a lot of clubs in Monaghan that are massively underperforming with the resources available to them and when you look around you the county team has a bleak enough outlook compared to 10 years ago." Agreed! Most Senior teams are villages and small enough ones at that. Blayney, Carrick, Monaghan Harps, Clones, Ballybay all have the biggest numbers and aren't challenging anything worth talking about. Could this be the first year ever that there is no 'Town' team in senior football? (depending on intermediate results)
I wouldn't say there is many countys in the country could say that.
countymonaghan (National) - 14/10/2025 14:25:32
|
Galway Hurling thread - 1 Like(s)
Can Saturday's doubleheader be bought as a package to watch or do you have to buy individually. Find the pricing very dear this year, was once a €20 deal for weekend games now seems to be €15 a game
CillTormoir (National) - 14/10/2025 14:59:46
|
Galway Hurling thread - 1 Like(s)
Replying To TanCanRan: "What are you talking about? Huge investment went into the Kenny Park surface last year, it's every bit as good as PS. Also, not sure if you've ever been in the PS dressing rooms, but they're hardly state of the art either." I've played in both, although my playing days are in the rear view mirror now, I'm afraid. Pearse Stadium would be my preference, but I haven't played on the new Kenny Park surface. Pearse Stadium's pitch is excellent. It would always have been a favourite of teammates and other players I spoke to.
WanPintWin (National) - 14/10/2025 15:00:38
|
Donegal GAA thread - 1 Like(s)
Jim McGuinness could do a lot worse than bring Martin Regan into the Donegal management team. He regularly makes the big calls during games when it matters, something Donegal could surely benefit from. His record proves he's a top class manager, better than a lot of big name ex-players currently in big jobs with little or no coaching experience. He's been successful with old rules and new rules.
greenfan (National) - 14/10/2025 15:04:51
|
Galway Hurling thread - 1 Like(s)
Replying To TanCanRan: "It's literally not. Senior semi-final days in Athenry are the best day on the local GAA calendar, bar none. The atmosphere is brilliant.
You also don't need to be a VIP to get into the stand, just leave and arrive on time as our friends out west advise us all the time." No matter how early some people leave, only a small number will fit in that stand. Many more seats for people in Salthill. Like the Germans leaving their towels on the deckchairs, there's only so many to go around.
WanPintWin (National) - 14/10/2025 15:05:37
|
Galway Hurling thread - 1 Like(s)
Replying To TanCanRan: "What are you talking about? Huge investment went into the Kenny Park surface last year, it's every bit as good as PS. Also, not sure if you've ever been in the PS dressing rooms, but they're hardly state of the art either." Agreed , if you know , you know :-)
LostforWords (National) - 14/10/2025 15:27:27
|
Westmeath Football thread - 1 Like(s)
Replying To iarmhiabu: "Boylesports Bookmakers have The Downs priced at 1/5, Kinnegad is 4/1. 9 point margin again. Are the bookmakers getting carried away too?" Definitely - Kinnegad dethroned the All-mighty Mount Temple side and should now be regarded as clear favourites.
Fighting-Cocks69 (National) - 14/10/2025 15:41:59
|
Westmeath Football thread - 1 Like(s)
Replying To johnnyh: "Why would they do that - we are not discussing Soccer here - two players behaved very badly - one on Saturday and one on Sunday - that's it - I did not see any other player from the 4 squads throw a punch or attempt to inflame and was close to both flashpoints. If you saw otherwise please elaborate." Not all but I think you are incorrect there was nore than one player involved in the end of game on Sunday but Saturday actions of going into the stand and the actions of one supporters shouting if they did to provoke also unacceptable
Gaaforlife2023 (National) - 14/10/2025 15:45:05
|
Galway Hurling thread - 1 Like(s)
Replying To Black&White26: "Turloughmore v St Thomas's Final
Turlough's year" Say the same thing every year for the last 10 years
BigBàsMan (National) - 14/10/2025 15:45:54
|
Galway Hurling thread - 1 Like(s)
Replying To TanCanRan: "What are you talking about? Huge investment went into the Kenny Park surface last year, it's every bit as good as PS. Also, not sure if you've ever been in the PS dressing rooms, but they're hardly state of the art either." Every player would want to play semifinals and finals in athenry, I have yet to speak to anyone that would prefer to play in PS , Athenry is the best surface by a mile and generates the best atmosphere for players, PS has better facilities and is better for supporters with toilets seating etc , so it's hard to please everyone I suppose , at some stage wouldn't it be great if someone had the courage to sell PS and combine all ingredients into a decent venue that caters for players and supporters alike
Bib (National) - 14/10/2025 16:12:53
|
Westmeath Football thread - 1 Like(s)
Replying To Gaaforlife2023: "Not all but I think you are incorrect there was nore than one player involved in the end of game on Sunday but Saturday actions of going into the stand and the actions of one supporters shouting if they did to provoke also unacceptable" Please read what I said and watch the footage. I thought all 4 squads behaved pretty well in very heated circumstances. Would you have expected the players to run to the other side of the pitch? The 2 protagonists will rightly be sanctioned but calls to throw the book at clubs and fine them is nonsense and, in my opinion, simplistic Soccer speak.
johnnyh (National) - 14/10/2025 16:32:10
|