This is getting a bit over the top. I think this discussion doesn't even need to take place - GAA facilities should not be used for political events. Arguably, central council have always opened Croke Park to the highest bidder (concerts, soccer, rugby etc) rather than keeping it solely for use by the GAA. As a revenue stream that is invaluable but it doesn't exactly reek of ideological puritanism on the part of the GAA. I wouldn't go overboard on analysing the reaction to the Tyrone commemoration. McCausland is playing to the galleries of the DUP - I know the man, he will find ammunition anywhere he looks, the stupid thing was making it easy for him (I am sure he believes Galbally Pearses should change their name as well). Similarly, Alistair MacDonnell is hypocritical in his criticism, when he was team doctor for the Antrim hurling team in the late 1980s and early 1990s ---Draw a line under this and concentrate on the football. If you all want to be seriously scandalised - I think Antrim will beat Kilkenny in the U21 semi-final on Saturday (check out the number of senior players and an unusual amount of quality on the Antrim team). There, you've forgotten about politics already.

pearsesabu (Antrim) - Posts: 663 - 20/08/2009 11:40:03    398001

pearsesabu County: Antrim Posts: 440 Similarly, Alistair MacDonnell is hypocritical in his criticism, when he was team doctor for the Antrim hurling team in the late 1980s and early 1990s Sorry for being pedantic and although I agree with some of your points I feel this is a little contrived. How can he be a hypocrite for simply being a member of the GAA and using his profession to help his county team? He was there as team doctor, not as elected representative. Politicans who are GAA members has nothing to do with this. It's the hi-jacking of the GAA by a political party, Sinn Fein. Did anybody hear Gerry Adams' speech at the event? it was more to do with SF's strategy now than any commemoration to a past event that made it pretty obvious the Galbally club were not the first thing to be hi-jacked for political gain.

milo (Tyrone) - Posts: 238 - 20/08/2009 12:53:01    398081

Bad monkey, I wouldn't say that any of my post was propaganda, I was merely stating a few facts surrounding this issue. If you have a problem with any of the points I made, I assure I can clarify them lad.

mugsys_barber (Tyrone) - Posts: 2160 - 20/08/2009 12:57:31    398092

Great Post Mugsy, totally agree. And I would also like to extend congratulations to Galbally Pearses for allowing this to take place.

Tyr08 (Tyrone) - Posts: 435 - 20/08/2009 13:33:00    398151

Some people just love to be outraged. Dry your eyes.

Goodfella, Tir (None) - Posts: 1652 - 20/08/2009 14:04:46    398187

i would of thought gerry adams would of come out and supported galbally pearse's, for letting them use there grounds, maybe thats why alot of men from east tyrone have turned there backs on him and sf! the top men in the gaa new sunday was taking place. so why did they not stop it! support galbally pearse's so there not kicked out for 24 weeks! galbally is one of the top membership in tyrone! if not the highest! with well over 700 members!!

murf09 (Tyrone) - Posts: 38 - 20/08/2009 14:24:24    398211

Plaintalk, an excellent reply to my post, I don't agree with some of your points but I understand we you are coming from. I would suggest this debate could continue for quite some time without agreement and therefore I think it pointless to continue. I look forward to further discussions

omaghredhand (Tyrone) - Posts: 3656 - 20/08/2009 15:02:56    398258

I don't think anyone here requires a essay on the contribution of hunger strikers to the GAA in Tyrone to decide whether it was right to allow a sporting premises to be used for political posturing. Some maturity is required. When a mistake has been so clearly made the solution is not to circle the wagons and doom us to another 125 years of exclusion and derision. Do Galbally members truly believe that their admirably high membership gives them adequate licence to jeapordise all that has been done to foster inclusiveness? Judging by the tone of some of these posts it looks like this issue will be swept under the memory carpet like the Fermanagh hurling bigotry and the Casement park hooley? We may find it easy to forget however the community we have to live and work beside will never feel a part of our organisation whilst we ignore our indiscretions. I must remind you all again. I have lived throughout the troubles and have suffered as a result. I am prepared however to leave history in the past and work on our similarities rather than our differences. I signed up to the GAA as I am passionate about the sport and culture, I am offended to be judged guilty by association because some individuals believe they are more important than the organisation as a whole. I'll sign off on this topic now. I felt I had something to say and I feel now I've said it. Opinions are there to be respected, what you need to worry about is your reputation and legacy for the future.

plaintalktyrone (Tyrone) - Posts: 3 - 20/08/2009 15:16:38    398272

i had a good read of all them posts and have to say i enjoyed it a good read plaintalk and omagh good points

hipster (Dublin) - Posts: 2509 - 20/08/2009 15:20:56    398278

It is sad that a tyrone man, making many valid points, has had to post under another name for fear of future attacks on him because he dared to give an opinion contrary to that of the tyrone/ulster mafia on here

bad.monkey (USA) - Posts: 4649 - 20/08/2009 15:25:48    398285

thats his porogative bad.monkey - the fact that he doesnt want to show his identity is sad on his part given how far we've come in the north in the last 15 years.
Theres no point hiding behind usernames

Red_horizon (Tyrone) - Posts: 179 - 20/08/2009 15:30:51    398289

Finally you make a valid point simian

omaghredhand (Tyrone) - Posts: 3656 - 20/08/2009 15:37:42    398309

Finally you make a valid point simian

unfortunately i cant say the same for yourself, but keep trying you'll get there someday

bad.monkey (USA) - Posts: 4649 - 20/08/2009 15:43:58    398316

bad.monkey
County: USA
Posts: 1353


Ya imagine having to have different log ins to post. It's not something you'd ever dare do. I wouldn't put it past that Rangers fan fellah though.

Yop (Wexford) - Posts: 362 - 20/08/2009 15:56:55    398331

unfortunately as a non-catholic and non-nationalist i am very wary of the many sectarian bigots that regularly frequent the site

bad.monkey (USA) - Posts: 4649 - 20/08/2009 16:31:30    398369

Bad Monkey, against my better judgement I will reply to your attempted arrogance. It would appear that quite a number of the more sensible posters on here recognise the validity of my posts on this thread. Some disagree and put forward countering points which I have respected. Your input has been crass one line digs at people who do not agree with your viewpoint. I actually asked you what part of Rule 7a was infringed or any other rule for that matter. You have been unable to answer this. You also asked for examples of when GAA facilities were used by political parties in the south, and other posters provided you with them. Again you have been quiet in relation to this. Without doubt you are a bogus poster who has nothing constructive to offer in any debate. Whether this is by choice or due to nature I do not know. I hold great store in the old adage that you should "never argue with an idiot as it brings you down to their level, then they beat you with experience"

omaghredhand (Tyrone) - Posts: 3656 - 20/08/2009 16:33:19    398372

I am not on here to offend anyone, but make no apologies for my republican views. My post/"essay" about the hunger strikers was not aimed at plaintalk but at others who still seek to criminalise the hunger strikers and the people who wish to commemorate them. Plaintalk highlighted several incidents that the media latch onto for weeks to demonise gaelic games. I could speak all day about the countless acts perpetrated against Ulster gaels by the British over the years that get far less attention on the news. The Galbally event was held in Galbally "Community centre". I didn't see or hear too many protesting before the event, as the people of the area wanted it to be there and were proud to have it there, These people who complain would be happier if we simply forgot about the sacrafices these young men made for us. It wasn't held to cause offence to any other community. If the event set out to offend then they could have picked a town with split nationalist or loyalist beliefs. I can think of a examples such as the welcoming of British soldiers "Home" to Belfast city centre - A city for all i ask you?? Most large towns in the North have monuments dedicated to world war heroes. Do we republicans complain?? NO. Yet when an event that is set up to remember the family, friends or neighbours effected by an historical event like the hunger strike it causes maximum offence for those who go out of the way to be offended. I am enlightened that plaintalk supports gaelic games but he also must recognise that many of us can't just simply forget about the people we hold dear to us and have died in the persuit of an Irish nation, The GAA I know holds nationalist ideals or at least i would hope it does, or will we also have to change the anthem to Ireland's call as well???. Some people will never warm to gaelic games no matter what, That is their choice and to me its no great loss. I don't like cricket or bowls or badminton or tennis for that matter. There is no getting away from that aspect, even if we changed the club names to Glabally united or Dungannon town gfc.

mugsys_barber (Tyrone) - Posts: 2160 - 20/08/2009 16:39:37    398380

Do you feel a commeration for the shankill butchers should also be allowed in a gaa ground? Many have made the point that these are community facilities, is this all members of the community or just the nationalist/republican community?

The GAA should not allow itself to be used as a devisive tool by those just interested gaining support for their political agenda or forwarding a sectarian agenda. The Irish language has already been abused in a similar fashion, used merely as a tool to divide people.

There are rules in place for a reason, either the clubs in ulster are part of the gaa and follow these rules or they are not.

bad.monkey (USA) - Posts: 4649 - 20/08/2009 17:11:31    398423

Jaysus this is getting tedious. What rule was broken?. What relevance has the Shankill butchers to the GAA? I find that people who play the "sectarian" card are those most likely to pursue that agenda. As a matter of interest BadMonkey, are you a member of the GAA. Based on your continual anti-GAA sentiment, I seriously wonder if you are. And if you are, I wonder why?

omaghredhand (Tyrone) - Posts: 3656 - 20/08/2009 17:23:13    398435

Omagh red hand thanks for the posts, clear and well put.

halfbackwards (Galway) - Posts: 104 - 20/08/2009 17:23:14    398436