With seeing threads Mayo/Tyrone/Kerry for Sam, etc. it got me wondering how many posters here or GAA people know little or anything about Sam Maguire or Liam McCarthy?
Very little I'd suspect from anyone I'd ever ask. Both spent a lot of their lives in London and were along with Michael Collins member of the London County Board.
Most interestingly and its not very widely known that Sam Maguire was a Protestant who along with Jack Boothman will continue to be high profile and recognised names in the GAA. It's probably irrelevant in a sense but it's a pity that fact isn't more widely publicised and may help to break down barriers in Ulster counties (not that I can say I'm in any way knowledgeable about religion or backgrounds in Ulster).

http://www.hoganstand.com/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=36168

tiobraid (Tipperary) - Posts: 4119 - 02/03/2017 15:30:58    1962859

True and a lot of rebellions in the past against English rule in Ireland were started and pushed on by Protestants so yes they wanted Ireland removed from English control, the argument from the Unionists in the north is ignoring that, they draw down from the fact that they claim Scottish heritage and William of Orange and the battle of the Boyne, yet Scotland and their people always talk of independence. Everybody has a heritage, where they were born, who they are, but this shouldn't affect what you would like to do, who you work and socialize with, imagine if we in Ireland refused to play soccer or rugby because they are not Irish sports, how small would we be. I remember hearing a story back in 2004 when Mayo played Fermanagh in All Ireland semi final where Fermanagh people came out in their thousands to support their county and a lot of those supporters were from the Protestant faith, it was unusual to hear that but fair play to those people, your faith shouldn't deter you to do what you want to do, your faith shouldn't define you, your faith is your own business and has nothing to do with anybody else so why should anybody criticize you.
All people whether you have faith or none, whether Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist or any other way of life you are welcome to play, support and enjoy our games. Welcome to the GAA one and all

riverboys (Mayo) - Posts: 1389 - 02/03/2017 22:37:02    1963008

2 great posts lads.

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 7345 - 03/03/2017 10:57:31    1963094

Yep, it was McGuire who convinced Collins to join the IRB in London.

As for faith and background. .

Wolfe tone was protestant and Connolly was born in Edinburgh.

cavanman47 (Cavan) - Posts: 5012 - 03/03/2017 11:16:10    1963105

this is an interesting article and probably an interesting book

http://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/rebel-protestants-unearthing-the-story-of-radical-nationalists-1.2987749

s goldrick (Cavan) - Posts: 5518 - 03/03/2017 11:31:16    1963113

tiobraid (Tipperary) - Posts: 4119 - 06/03/2017 14:29:38    1964602