Trileacman, thank you for that post. Yes I am well aware of the things the majority of GAA members in the North had to put up with and suffer with. Obviosuly not through first hand experience, so I will never be fully aware or have a full understanding. But lads if we could keep away from the political related stuff and talk about the lack of respect for some of the GAA's rules.....

3inarow08 (Kerry) - Posts: 2455 - 19/08/2009 14:49:11    397111

Would the BNP be allowed to fund a rally in a GAA ground.

Fredthered (Donegal) - Posts: 1144 - 19/08/2009 14:54:59    397119

trileacman, dont rise to naughty simian, triona raised a valid and pertinent point which most have commented on in a mature and honest way, if he wants to drag the discussion down let him, but dont get distracted from the issue at hand.

brendtheredhand (Tyrone) - Posts: 10897 - 19/08/2009 14:56:50    397122

liathroidboy
County: Mayo
Posts: 188

397047 its terrible that the association is associated with such nonsense- is this not covered in british terrorist legislation is it not now an offence to glorify terrorism? Gaa could have itself in a dodgy spot with this- proves one thing in the north that the gaa is confined to one side of the political/religious devide- its a very say day for the gaa- old failings still very mush alive in the gaa- such a shame!!


You are going nowhere with this sentiment. before the troubles N.Ireland/six counties had the lowest crime rate in western europe. Indeed prior to the early 70s I think there was only one prisoner in the women's prison. The people you are making reference to were ordinary working class people who rightly or wrongly chose a certain path in resposne to the circumstances around them. They did not create these circumctances and where no differnt to others from across this island in past generations. Hopefully, as time moves on events of this nature will not create any political fall out.

thistle_harps (UK) - Posts: 879 - 19/08/2009 15:06:14    397132

Firstly, I understand how this could happen. Secondly it is probably happening all the time. Thirdly, it is probbaly happening more often in the 6 counties as eluded to by previous psoters from the 6 counties and for obvious historic reasons. Fourthly, although I would have a political view, the fact that it might be Sinn fein or any other political party should not come into the debate. Fifthly, the fact that this happened in Tyrone is irrelevant because this point is of a nationwide concern to the GAA.

The fact is that the GAA is a non Party political organisation. And I FULLY think that this rule should be enforced by the GAA. I for one do not want some Labour Councillor coming down to our pitch to raise money for any cause no matter how noble. I do not want FF, FG, SF or any other party using the grounds either. this does not beneftit the community. It divides it.

The GAA is a very powerful and democratic organisation in its own right. However it is a non profit making organisation that is solely set up to promote Irish sports and the Irish culture at home and abroad. I know it sounds farcical to think that one single party raleigh will do any damage but all the same we do not want to align ourselves to any party and we do not want this to continue. Politicians are fine as long as they leave their political views at the gate. Many of them have dedicated their lives to the GAA but the two should not be confused.

The point is we do not want any political party casting any influence or manipulative effect over the association however small, outside the obvious regulated and protected influence that government has on every organisation. Politics is a funny business as has been shown over hundreds of years. As safe and as stable as these times are we should never forget that. The GAA wants to stay together. No split ever. No party. No divide. Just promote sport and culture together.

thykingdomcome (Kerry) - Posts: 1206 - 19/08/2009 15:15:40    397147

here here omagh redhand . i was surprised that mr mccausland could quote a gaa rule after his disparaging remarks upon receiving his current post. he must be swatting up as he said that he did not know that tyrone won last years all ireland.

redhandman (Tyrone) - Posts: 431 - 19/08/2009 15:18:38    397153

3inarow08
County: Kerry
Posts: 1783

3inarow08 are you for real?

3 Quotes from you:

"anyone up there care to comment on why a Tyrone GAA club let a political party use their facilities?" - ok you want our comment/opinion regardless of what it is........

"if people wish to discuss politics, please use the non-GAA forum." - oh hang on maybe you dont.......

"Interested to hear responses on this one." - oh no you do

Either way what worry is it to you what goes on? "Our" Minister for Culture and Sport Nelson McCausland bleats on about the Orange and their right to bate down roads bangin drums and carrying signs in support of loyalism so I wouldnt listen to much coming out of his beak with regard the GAA. Bear in mind this event took place in a community facility belonging to the GAA but was not a GAA sanctioned event. Would you make the boys down at the local whist drive in Tralee take their cards out of the Parish hall as its not a religious event?

I dont know who is talking more tripe. You or him.

decks013 (Tyrone) - Posts: 87 - 19/08/2009 15:31:39    397180

Would there be all this fuss if the ' Green' party held an event at the ground ??

Meath_bhoy (Meath) - Posts: 590 - 19/08/2009 15:32:38    397184

Tom1916 if that is true why dont you name them?

Because I have no problem with it.

Tom1916 (Armagh) - Posts: 2001 - 19/08/2009 15:53:29    397213

3inarow - i believe it was you who started this post so why did you not start it in the non-gaa page?

Off-course its going to be about politics - what else is the debate about? GAA rules (if not morals) are broken every other day by the GAA themselves. If we want to open a can of worms about this issue then why was Croke Park used for fielding an English rugby team churning out english national anthems on the very pitch we all know the history off

Double Standards spring to mind!

Red_horizon (Tyrone) - Posts: 179 - 19/08/2009 15:57:45    397221

I don't think GAA grounds should be available for use by any political parties. But, just to be clear (and honest) - has anyone heard of any political party availing of the facilities at a GAA club anywhere else in Ireland (post election bashes, organising canvassing etc)? And, in the same spirit of honesty - how many people are objecting because it is Sinn Fein?

pearsesabu (Antrim) - Posts: 663 - 19/08/2009 16:07:02    397245

Please do not turn this into a political debate. it is not a political debate. It is a debate about whether the GAA should be involved in party politics. It has nothing to do with what these parties stand for. Therefore is not political.

Sinn fein should not even be mentioned from now on in this debate just as there is no need to mention any other party.

As for parties availing of GAA facilities, I will be 100% truthful in that I have never seen or heard of a political party using our club facdilities in the last 30 years.

Politics is divisive. The GAA should be unifying.

thykingdomcome (Kerry) - Posts: 1206 - 19/08/2009 16:47:44    397304

"The Association shall be non-party political. Party political questions shall not be discussed at its meetings, and no Committee, Club, Council or representative thereof shall take part, as such, in any party political movement". This is the wording of Rule7a that Mr McCausland quotes. If we want to get technical about this, the Galbally Pearses GAA club did not engage in any party political movement. I reiterate that the club was built by the community for the use of the community. Therefore in this context the rules were not broken. Jimbobdub, please take note. Ballboy, I find it extremely strange that an Irishman and GAA member would agitate for the use of British law in relation to the GAA. I also find your attitude in keeping with those that demonised the GAA in the north. On the basis that to know a man you should walk a mile in his shoes you know nothing about the GAA in Ulster and therefore your opinions should be taken with a pinch of salt. BadMonkey. The last point applies to you also. I will also make the assumption that from your safe haven in the Bully States of America that as the aggressor in most situations your country finds itself in that the experiences of the oppressed would not be a topic you would be offay with. I can assure you that Trileac man was not looking for sympathy nor am I. We are proud of how we have kept alive our games, language and culture in the face of adversity, we are proud to be nationalists, we are proud to be republican and make no apologies for this. This does not mean however that because of this we alienate our unionist neighbours. We understand there concerns and have taken great steps in recent years to allay their fears, however, the same cannot be said of them. They preach religious and civil freedom and the right to their culture whilst at the same time trying to make us deny ours. Its a two way street. Finally, could you all lay of Triona. I genuinely believe that this was not intended to provoke anything other than debate and his posts in reply have strengthened that belief. Is Mise le meas

omaghredhand (Tyrone) - Posts: 3656 - 19/08/2009 16:55:49    397312

thykingdomcome - you have an ability to see and speak sense when most others fail to do so. I've been very impressed with a lot of your posts recently.

Everyone, please read thykingdomcome's 2 posts above - this is what I was getting at! Not a Tyrone-bashing, Sinn Fein-bashing, Northern-bashing, Republicanism-bashing thread like some of ye thought!!!!!

God almighty I despair!

3inarow08 (Kerry) - Posts: 2455 - 19/08/2009 17:06:43    397331

Omaghredhand - once again, great post. Nail well and truly hit on the head. You've ended the debate as far as I'm concerned (built by the community, for use of the community).

3inarow08 (Kerry) - Posts: 2455 - 19/08/2009 17:17:02    397352

I reiterate that the club was built by the community for the use of the community. Therefore in this context the rules were not broken.

Ha ha ive heard it all now.. They are a GAA club, they have to abide by GAA rules, regardless of who built the clubhouse.

Either they are part of the GAA or they are not.

bad.monkey (USA) - Posts: 4649 - 19/08/2009 17:18:27    397355

Ah come on lads - did you honestly think that this thread would magically turn into a mature discussion of the use of GAA clubs by political parties (although ye have pulled it into line well enough)?

pearsesabu (Antrim) - Posts: 663 - 19/08/2009 17:22:07    397357

I dont like to interupt , but is there any chance we can get back to the football. Apparently there`s a humdinger of a game this Sunday.

gaelantrim (Antrim) - Posts: 1616 - 19/08/2009 17:26:50    397360

Bad monkey that is a very disingenuous extraction from the previous post. The poster quoted the rule verbatim and his interpretation of how his point was qualified by reference to this.

ruanua (Donegal) - Posts: 4966 - 19/08/2009 17:30:33    397365

Read the wording of the rule bad monkey. This is what must be considered in the context of breaking rules. Can you explain which part of this rule was broken?

omaghredhand (Tyrone) - Posts: 3656 - 19/08/2009 17:30:34    397366