I have been Chair, and secretary of my club, and I am currently the PRO. I am also "Honorary" Vice _President iof Queen's Hurling Club. Now many in our club would hold similar beliefs to Wolfe Tone, as we try to create a country, and club, for Protestants, Catholics and Dissenters (Gregory?) In the past two years we have attracted many school children to the GAA, whose parents would possibly vote DUP. We see this as progress, in creating a club and country in Tone's image. If we are to live in the past, well there is no hope for the future. We would hold these republican views, which many on here appear to disagree with. However, we are still entitled to our views, and would defend the right of Gregory Campbell to have his views, even though in this instance he was merely winding people up. Gregory may well have "spoken" dangerously in the past. The Deputy First Minister ACTED (allegedly) dangerously in the past. We are asking one side to forget this, just as we need to forget Gregory's past. Since 1984 Gregory has been working closely with Sinn Fein and others to bring us to where we are today. That deserves respect. It would appear that many here would pour scorn on our republican views, but we are entitled to hold them. Those who wish to proclaim their Irishness by wearing Celtic or Cliftonville jerseys, and creating some sort of "Ayran" or "Pure Race" GAA, well I do not agree with it, but you are entitled to do so. I would oppose it, but in a peaceful, democratic manner. I am also amazed that someone saw fit to attack a fellow GAA club, Garnerville Gaels, on this thread. This team represent great progress, and great hope for the future. They should be embraced, rather than scorned. That is if you wish to have a society where Protestant, Catholic and Dissenter can co-exist, free from persecution, bigotry, and sectarianism. Given some of the vitriol on this thread, we are alas a long way off that ideal.

patrique (Antrim) - Posts: 13709 - 24/09/2008 14:27:33    106638

It's comments like Gregory's that remind me there are two completely different cultures in Ireland's north. Further more the Irish culture is thriving - thank god, and i'm not sure what state unionist culture is in (it's not my concern)
Irish nationalist in the north have to accept money with (her) head on it and sometimes work in public building with butcher aprons flying above BUT our culture (Gaelic football/hurling, music and language) is the one thing we should appreciate more than anything else - that is what unites us with our friend in the South. We should never forget this.
Ignore Campbell and take up you Hurl or fiddle and express yourself.

BeanSoupYUM (Tyrone) - Posts: 51 - 24/09/2008 14:41:23    106655

Eh what Patrique are ya stealing identity here or what?

Whats your club? Mine is naomh eanna glengormley.

North Side Gael (None) - Posts: 1076 - 24/09/2008 15:16:31    106718

I think patrique is telling untruths.

Tom1916 (Armagh) - Posts: 2001 - 24/09/2008 15:55:28    106789

Time to put this to bed lads and lassies, Mr Campbell has hes own agenda his new title should be Minster of Mischief, how he got the sports post God only knows . He knows more about the W.I than he does about Gaa,Rugby or soccer .

williewentwell (Tyrone) - Posts: 1712 - 24/09/2008 16:35:16    106853

Naomh Ultan Abu: pure class!

As for Campell I'd point people to Micky Hartes mantra of respecting peoples ignorance and ignoring it. To allow yourselves to be offended is just the reaction this small spiteful man wanted.

mossbags (Galway) - Posts: 1089 - 24/09/2008 16:35:58    106854

I am the current PRO for Naomh Comhghall GAC. Our U14s recently triumphed in their league and championship, aided by many of these children from the Protestant community. Great progress has been made, and we also welcome people regardless of race, disability, age or sexual preference. We are immensely proud of our stance.

I personally for many years campaigned for the removal of the ban on the security forces, as I felt while we had that ban we may as well affiliate to Rangers football club. Rangers removed their ban long before we did, which is to their credit.

I am aware that Tom1916 probably regards Wolfe Tone as an Orange whatever due to Tone's religion, but our club are actively anti-sectarian. How Tom 1916 knows all about our club I am not sure.

This afternoon I was shown a copy of the Daily Mirror. As a snob and socialist I wouldn't normally look at this but my friend from O'Donavan Rossa, that is a GAA club, was pointing out the report on the "homecoming" in Omagh.

The report reads "One joyous reveller cheekily said "they thought the cup was going to the Kingdom, it was, the United Kingdom"

Now was this joyous reveller Gregory in Omagh welcoming back the team? Or was it a genuine Tyrone fan having a bit of craic? Or was it a genuine Tyrone fan insulting and undermining Tyrone's achievements, as Gregory has been accused of doing? I have no idea. Doubtless those with their heads in the sand or up their own rectums will say it is a media plot, but there you go.

Unfortunately it would appear that too many people revel in being MOPEs, rather than making progress, and too many would like the "shoe to be on the other foot" in the North of Ireland, so they could persecute the Protestant community. As a republican I would continue to oppose discrimination and sectarianism, much as I have done for some 40 years.

PS: MOPEs (most oppressed people ever)

patrique (Antrim) - Posts: 13709 - 24/09/2008 17:50:36    106983

Patrique, you talk in riddles. Could you post in ordinary mans language please as that kind of prose seems to be as twisted as Gregory. Why try to pretend you are so well educated, is it put the rest of us down? Ordinary English please.

Cavan_Slasher (Cavan) - Posts: 10253 - 24/09/2008 18:27:56    107007

Now was this joyous reveller Gregory in Omagh welcoming back the team? Or was it a genuine Tyrone fan having a bit of craic? Or was it a genuine Tyrone fan insulting and undermining Tyrone's achievements, as Gregory has been accused of doing? I have no idea. Doubtless those with their heads in the sand or up their own rectums will say it is a media plot, but there you go.

Gregory Campbell is an elected representative and should be not be using his position to promote his personal agenda. someone you meet on the street is not someone that has been choosen to represent the community as a whole

Fair play to you and your club for welcoming all to compete, if there were more people so open minded we could finally lay the ghosts of our past to rest. If you read the papers or listen to the news you will know that this isn't a one off for Gregory Campbell.

have you heard the saying, if you have nothing nice to say don't say anything at all?

momo (Tyrone) - Posts: 60 - 24/09/2008 19:01:03    107027

Now lads, there is a lot of propaganda up here, and statements like North Side Gael's such as "No-one would agree with him up here" need to be taken with a pinch of salt.

A few years back Donegal Celtic were drawn against the RUC in a soccer championship. We were all told that "no-one in West Belfast wants this game to take place".

Unfortunately the club had a vote on the subject and something like 85% of the members DID want the game to be played.

Alas the facts were not heeded, because how could we all be MOPEs if we accepted reality?

St Enda's, North Side. Mr Gleeson would be an old friendof mine, I think I actually taught him HISTORY, or was it POLITICS. To teach such things you need to read and look at things from all sides, rather than old wives tales.

And I am also intrigued by Tom 1916. Is the 1916 Tom in memory of the Somme, or is it to let people on the site know that you now consider yourself to be Irish? Most of us knew we were Irish years ago.

patrique (Antrim) - Posts: 13709 - 24/09/2008 19:27:36    107044

Has it occurred to anyone that Campbell would probably be thrilled to see a group of GAA fans slagging eachother off over his comments??

Wex96 (Wexford) - Posts: 21 - 24/09/2008 19:41:56    107056

Patrique, I have no problem with Republican socialism the Wolfe Tone way and your fervent espousal of anti-sectarianism. However, I do have a problem with your partitionist approach and especially your remark about thinking the DUP were behind all references to Ulster. That is, quite frankly, an astonishing observation from one who would purport to espouse Republicanism and the GAA.
All sports, bar one (soccer), operate on an all-Ireland basis. They generally have constitutent provincial organisations which recognise and encompass all nine counties of Ulster. You, on the other hand, seem quite happy with the status quo of partition and the mindset it creates,. You allude in an earlier post to not hearing we had become an "all Ireland" - whatever that means. Most of us know we never stopped being Ireland and all the euphemisms for the partitioned states we occupy do not erode the legitimacy of our national identity. You one the other hand, say that you are too used to calling yourself "British".
As to Gregory Campbell, you insist that his remark was tongue in cheek or "winding people up". As one of the very few who actually seems to have heard him utter those words on radio and the context and tone in which they were spoken, let me assure you that he was calculated and deliberate in his dismissal of a great sporting occasion and all those involved in it. He was deeply insulting and he meant to be.
Finally, you are beyond delusion if you believe, as you state, that "since 1984 Gregory has been working closely with Sinn Féin and others to bring us to where we are today. That deserves respect." Gregory has been doing nothing of the kind and there is little evidence that he has shifted from being a coat-trailer who has openly threatened violence on TV. Your reference to 1984 is a freudian slip perhaps, but it does indicate that you inhabit an Orwellian world of TruthSpeak in defending the Minister of Sport. I seem to recall that you mentioned earlier your public service credentitals. In 1984, we could cast you in the role of 'Big Brother' and give you responsiblilty for the Ministry of Sport or, in Newspeak, "MisReport".

Borderboy (Monaghan) - Posts: 277 - 24/09/2008 19:48:03    107065

MOmo I think I know you. Is the rest of your name ron by any chance?

BELLYMAN (Wexford) - Posts: 157 - 24/09/2008 22:17:16    107142

I'm from Ireland, How is life in Isreal

Thats belly funny, you remind me of frank carson but not just as funny

momo (Tyrone) - Posts: 60 - 24/09/2008 22:58:03    107158

A few points to clear up. Cavan Slasher, I am extremely well educated, it is not a pretence. MOMO. If Gregory should not use his position to spout of, what should he use it for? Why do you think they asked Gregory? What do you think politicians do? Do you think they asked Gregory because they were doing a poll of average GAA fans. Borderboy, your mention of "Public service" and implied slur is an insult to the NORTHERN IRELAND Civil Servants on the Tyrone team, and the many public servants and soldiers and policemen on the Kerry team as well. Shame on you. Alas I have only been an NICS member since 2002. In 1984 by the way I was to be found as a flying picket on the miner's picket lines in Yorkshire, fighting for freedom for workers everywhere. That same year, all over Northern Ireland, the Dup and Sinn Fein were working together on councils all over the country. The peace process began around 1982, and has been a carefully planned soap opera since. I could suggest a few good books on the subject. Personally they gave us an office at Stormont for the wonderfully named "talks about talks" where we spoke with DUP, SDLP, Unionists, Greens, and all the rest. Gregory was very charming, although a bit of a cold fish, he lacked his leaders bonhomie. I have been involved in Northern politics for years, and Southern as we were part of the Rainbow coalition. I have not once stated that I support partition. Back in 1968 I used to manage to sell three copies of the United Irishman newspaper in the vast estate called Andersonstown, or "Andytown". as I tried to oppose partition with a few, and I mean a few, others. To be honest my own mother had always bought the paper, which is how I ended up selling them. So in effect I was selling two copies, in the highly nationalist Andersonstown estate. In 1968. As for partition, alas many favour it. In the ROI when asked if they favour a united Ireland the response was 95% for, 5% against. When asked if they were prepared to pay more taxes to obtain a united Ireland, it was 95% against, 5% for. What do you suggest? Should we simply eliminate all of these people, for if we do, no-one will be able to field a team in next years championship. And to all of you, why should you doubt my anti-sectarian and republican credentials Ask anyone at Casement Park, or quite a few other venues, I do not hide my beliefs. And I have been threatened and bullied and shunned by a lot higher class of opposition than is to be found on this site. Gregory made a churlish remark. Politicians from every country, state or statelet, do so every day. Get over it. They are politicians. The remark was to fool the moron diehards and bigots on the unionist side. It seems it fooled the moron diehards and bigots on the other side a s well. I try to be consistent in my opposition to sectarianism.

patrique (Antrim) - Posts: 13709 - 24/09/2008 23:19:00    107171

Patrique I have a feeling to know who you are. However as an educated man surely you would understand that, the GAA has outlined its is not sectarian but it has core values such as being an all ireland organisation. Mr Campbell (the person in question not the gaa) has made anti all ireland remarks and totally went against everyone in the gaa with these comments including those from the "other side of the community" as we all stand to one anthem and one flag in this org. I can assure you my friend i dont work of "old wive tales". Surely you an educated man can understand the hurt of tyrone people and GAA people when comments like this are made. Have you ever heard the saying "if you cant say anything good dont say anything at all"? Mr Campbell could do with using this policy rather than throw petrol on an old spark that looks to be burning brighter now than ever it has in 12 years.

North Side Gael (None) - Posts: 1076 - 25/09/2008 07:33:26    107215

Patrique is telling untruths, my friend is a committe member of Naomh Comhghall GAC and she has told me that the PRO of the club is a female aged in her early fifties! This does not ring true to your mans claims. Problem solved.

Tom1916 (Armagh) - Posts: 2001 - 25/09/2008 08:35:42    107226

Patrique, no-one is saying Protestants shouldn't be allowed to play in the GAA or take part in any other Irish culture events/activities, but Gregory Campbell's comments where disrespectful to the Irish people be they Catholic, Protestant, Muslim or aethest. However his views do repersent a very large section of the Protestant people.

BeansoupYUM I agree with you but, what is the Protestant culture?

wise_guy (Tyrone) - Posts: 1584 - 25/09/2008 09:17:22    107249

Patrique, I must take exception to your secterian expressions. If I may quote, "Our U14s recently triumphed in their league and championship, aided by many of these children from the Protestant community. Great progress has been made, and we also welcome people regardless of race, disability, age or sexual preference. We are immensely proud of our stance." First of all congratulations on your stance. But, surprising as this may seem, this has been the stance of Cumann Luthchleas Gael. By the way Cumann Luthchleas Gael is Irish for GAA. Why do you feel the need to highlight the fact that many of the childrn are from the Protestant Community? By highlighting this fact you are differentiating and, therefore, being secterian. Why can you not just accept the children as Irish youth enjoying Irish games. Is it your policy to stand there and say, "O

I personally for many years campaigned for the removal of the ban on the security forces, as I felt while we had that ban we may as well affiliate to Rangers football club. Rangers removed their ban long before we did, which is to their credit.

fear an chamain (Antrim) - Posts: 12 - 25/09/2008 09:18:33    107251

Patrique, can you confirm to avoid any misunderstanding who the, "security forces," you refer to are? I was always of the opinion that the security forces were allowed to play our games but foreign military personnel were banned under rule 21.

fear an chamain (Antrim) - Posts: 12 - 25/09/2008 09:20:59    107256