Hag_and-Cheese; You're going back to the century before last there. I mean, I'd doubt Brian Cody is handing out Eirigi literature at those infamous Kilkenny training sessions.

True enough, it's a cultural organisation, but that's because it has such a hold on the imagination of the country. Something so many of us obsess about for 126 years becomes a part of our culture per se, but that doesn't mean the GAA as a body is working toward any political goal.

There's a PSNI GAA club, a London Met GAA club and a few years back a Combined British Forces team played the Irish Army in the Curragh. I bet a lot of GAA people were in Croke Park cheering on devout Protestant Andrew Trimble when he scored that try at the Canal End.

The GAA has evolved in step with the Irish mindset. We just wanna play our games and most of us would be only too happy to have the Unionists join in. Unless they're really good like Peter Whitnell (All Ireland winner with Down '91). No more like that, please.

Count_Awesome (Kildare) - Posts: 736 - 23/09/2010 15:59:56    782299

Haven't been reading the Non GAA threads for a while and co-incidentently just posted something on another thread about an incident that happened to me about 46 years ago, which would have been more appropriate to this thread. Circa 1964/65 I was actually arrested by the R.U.C. in Belfast for having a tri-colour. I thought a lot had changed but reading this thread I see the more things change the more they stay the same. I totally agree that most Southern posters have no idea whatever what Catholics and Nationalists have had to endure and obviously in certain places still have to endure in the 6 Counties.

corkcelt (Cork) - Posts: 4388 - 23/09/2010 16:04:00    782304

Don't know why I thought this thread was on the non GAA Forum, I'd better start taking doses of vitamin B, I fear the onset of early dementia.

corkcelt (Cork) - Posts: 4388 - 23/09/2010 16:22:21    782328

corkcelt we had poeple complaining bout young girls even with gaa tops collecting money now that is bad and before we have posts saying it was only one person well it was not because he when he gave the interview he said he got plenty of phone calls complaining bout those young girls on this issue , Now we had incidents where someone was told to remove there flag off there car at work , we had complaints bout the tinneys in strabane been dressed now there is a few things .

Dellboypolecat (Tyrone) - Posts: 15069 - 23/09/2010 16:32:35    782344

Count_Awesome:

It different gaa is not used so much as a cultural and religious identity in kilkenny, i know there is a protestant population in kilkenny but you will not be persecuted for you association with the gaa, I know a good few kilkenny protestants and they follow GAA.

My arguement is that there is political motives behind the Gaa in it founding granted their not as strong today especially in the south but in much of the 6 counties it still rings true it used as a cultural identity along with the love of the game and following the gaa can lead to persecution so in saying that how is it not political then.

Hag_and_Cheese (Tipperary) - Posts: 6103 - 23/09/2010 16:36:07    782351

Tesco bag-packers sent home for wearing GAA kits
Tesco has admitted that it asked charity bag-packers at its store in Antrim to remove GAA jerseys following complaints from the public.

Children as young as nine were collecting money for a GAA club on Sunday when they were asked to go home and change out of their club jerseys.

Tesco says the decision was taken following vociferous complaints from the public, including one from a local Ulster Unionist councillor


The above is tescos statement or part of it .

Dellboypolecat (Tyrone) - Posts: 15069 - 23/09/2010 16:40:47    782359

Breffni39:

I only stated the year to reinforce that it may be more accurate and not full of the P.C. waffle many books have these days..... also the gaa was very different in those days more set in it beliefs... its evolved and for the good in most parts!!!

Hag_and_Cheese (Tipperary) - Posts: 6103 - 23/09/2010 16:42:14    782361

Now i think things have changed alot from then and all are welcome now in the gaa you cant deny that .

Yes it has changed but in the 6 counties Gaa has political ties and it's reenforces cultural and religious identity along with the love for the sport can you deny that??

Hag_and_Cheese (Tipperary) - Posts: 6103 - 23/09/2010 16:45:34    782365

To most people the GAA is a sporting & socially recreational orginisation. Most people involved have no interest in politics nor to they join or participate to promote any cause. They are members of the GAA because they love the games, enjoy the social aspect of their clubs, & want a healthy recreation. I know people in my own club from various backgrounds & beliefs who are proof of this. I have spoken to people at work, from layalist backgrounds, who have expressed their dissapointment at Down's defeat & have commented that they did well to get there.

There are morons in every section of every society. Some Loyalist bullies (cowards) do not want others to celebrate the success of a sports team, nothing new there. Put up an England flag in Castlewellan during the World Cup & there will be a few morons who take it down too.

Al though unfortunitely they do exist theyare a very small number of people, they do not represent anyone, do not tar whole groups of society with the same brush. Most of us are sensible, right minded people who enjoy & celebrate sport for what it is whether it be GAA, soccer, rugby, or whatever.

blu (Down) - Posts: 1240 - 23/09/2010 16:45:45    782366

Councillor Adrian Watson from the Ulster Unionist party told the BBC he had passed complaints on to Tesco on behalf of some of his constituents.

His party colleague Drew Ritchie said Tesco needs to review its policy to assure charity collections do not cause offence.

"The public don't mind giving to local charities but sometimes they do get confused when sports clubs are involved. Obviously offence has been caused to some customers," he added.



A statement from the counillor and he has stated his complaint was based on on behalf of some of his constituents. Now his satement .

Dellboypolecat (Tyrone) - Posts: 15069 - 23/09/2010 16:48:22    782368

Given the views of some on here I suppose they also believe that the numerous Ulster Gaels murdered and attacked by Loyalists/British Army/RUC 'brought it on themselves' as well? This was nothing other than the usual sectarian intolerance and hatred from Loyalists in Carryduff but I suppose for some living in Mayo, Laois, Dublin etc it may as well be on the far side of the moon for all they know about the reality of the 6 counties. I remember a UDR patrol stopping our club minibus a few years ago on the outskirts of Belfast and when they seen our hurls and kit bags we were subjected to a good half hour of vile comments and veiled threats. I also have clear memories of The Paras stopping us going to a game in the late 80's in West Belfast and making us take our socks and shoes off in the rain to amuse themselves. Every year Orange Order members get police escorts to put up bunting and arches all over the North and very little is said. The northern end of the new Newry/Dublin road has been festooned with Loyalist/Orange flags as has most of the main A1 road to Belfast. Some friends from the South (yes I have some) have mentioned how intimidating and off putting this is to people visiting or who don't know the areas yet there are still those who would justify this Loyalist intimidation. That comes as no surprise to many Northern Nationalists because many in the 26 counties and the Southern media always ignore and are afraid to criticise ANYTHING Loyalists/Unionists do no matter how bad. It is called moral cowardice.

Ulsterman (Antrim) - Posts: 9816 - 23/09/2010 17:21:14    782411

Hag_and_Cheese;

My arguement is that there is political motives behind the Gaa in it founding granted their not as strong today especially in the south but in much of the 6 counties it still rings true it used as a cultural identity along with the love of the game and following the gaa can lead to persecution so in saying that how is it not political then.



Yes being a member of the GAA can lead to you being persecuted, I've seen it first hand and anyone who's read Sambo McNaughton's book won't need to see it themselves. There may have been some political motives in founding the GAA back in the 1880s (I suspect cultural motives would be a better way of putting it), but that was a long, long time ago.

People looking in from the outside (ex-UDR types especially) might see a political side to the GAA but there's always been a certain strain of paranoia amongst people like that. It's no coincidence that they adopted the phrase 'not an inch.' They're scared of what they see as an encroaching Irish identity. They're wrong though. A Unionist hurler would be no less of a Unionist.

When Anthony Tohill and Kieran McGeeney were in the weights room in Queens together they weren't making themselves strong enough to break the metaphorical chains around the country - they were getting in shape to be better footballers.

Count_Awesome (Kildare) - Posts: 736 - 23/09/2010 17:37:09    782441

Ulsterman the problem we have here and it will never change we have these boys always attacking the gaa but when we a worry bout something and go through the proper channels where called bigots , now we will always be attacked as i do not think it will ever change .

Dellboypolecat (Tyrone) - Posts: 15069 - 23/09/2010 18:02:46    782472

I think i will be waiting a while for a response on the statements i put up over the tesco incident and clearly not just one man or one complaint unless tesco are telling vibs which i doubt on this case .

Dellboypolecat (Tyrone) - Posts: 15069 - 23/09/2010 19:04:37    782526

Spuddy
County: Mayo
Posts: 289

781906
Patrique

That was one politician who last week when asked if he thought the shooting of Bobby Moffatt by the UVF was wrong said "I don't know, I wasn't there". That shows the mark of the man. - Where did I mention anything about this? I was on about the kids wearing GAA jerseys in tescos a couple of years ago, where grown loyalist men said they were threatening and in your face.



The man who said that about Bobby Moffatt was the MAN (singular) who caused the row at Tesco.

I know. The kids are with MY club.

patrique (Antrim) - Posts: 13709 - 23/09/2010 20:02:45    782578

23/09/2010 08:59:28
Tom1916
County: Armagh
Posts: 763

781803
Antrim and Tyrone jerseys were burned in broughshane Co Antrim bonfire on 11 July and this can be seen on youtube.



OK, I admit it.

I was at the bonfire this year at Broughshane, a cross community event, and I burnt the Tyrone jersey.

But I didn't burn an Antrim one........

patrique (Antrim) - Posts: 13709 - 23/09/2010 20:04:44    782584

Dellboypolecat
County: Tyrone
Posts: 12996

782212
Suprise suprise patrique wrong again about gaa flags not been burned cant even take his posts serious



Is thee any poiunt on posting on here when people cannot read.

Now I do not have a problem with that, loads of reasons for such a condition, but then to contradict people.

Burning JERSEYS not FLAGS.

Moron.

patrique (Antrim) - Posts: 13709 - 23/09/2010 20:06:28    782587

Dellboypolecat
County: Tyrone
Posts: 12996

782359
Tesco bag-packers sent home for wearing GAA kits
Tesco has admitted that it asked charity bag-packers at its store in Antrim to remove GAA jerseys following complaints from the public.

Children as young as nine were collecting money for a GAA club on Sunday when they were asked to go home and change out of their club jerseys.

Tesco says the decision was taken following vociferous complaints from the public, including one from a local Ulster Unionist



Finally for all you naked sectarian bigots out there, the EARLY tesco statement was wrong.

Councillor Adrian Watson, Ulster Unionist, was initially blamed. That was wrong. Adrian was actually on holiday, someone contacted him, and he issued a statement.

On his return he vehemently DEFENDED the GAA club, and condemned the protester.

The protester was one PUP (Protestant Unionist Party) member. He then involved a few other bigots.


Now Sinn Fein is not the SDLP, or the Conservative Party. Some sectarian bigots however cannot distinguish between the Unionist Party, the DUP, the PUP, Alliance, or indeed the Labour party.

Now it was my club who were doing the collecting. I know, and I know all those involved.

Some people are so twisted with sectarian bigotry that they see "all prods are the same,e".

To them there is no difference between the Tesco PUP man, Wolfe Tone, Robert Emmet, Ronnie Bunting or Trevor Ringland. To them the only good prod is a .......

Now we need to combat such sectarian bigots. By spreading lies they encourage people to burn orange Halls, tear down GAA flags, and attack GAA clubs.

All bigots are the same. Some are very young and harmless, others, posting on GAA web sites should know better.

I would ask the admin to publish this as it needs said. One poster on here conmtinues to libel an innocent Ulster Unionist politician.

patrique (Antrim) - Posts: 13709 - 23/09/2010 20:17:59    782603

patrique I presume if they go to the trouble of burning a County's flag they would have no compunction in burning a jersey. I don't know that they have and I sure as hell know that you don't know that they haven't. I believe you are hair splitting on this one.

corkcelt (Cork) - Posts: 4388 - 23/09/2010 20:22:02    782607

If someone burns a gaa top or flag it still falls under the same thing burning a gaa thing , now just like the counciller and his voters complaining bout 2 young girls wearing gaa tops.

Dellboypolecat (Tyrone) - Posts: 15069 - 23/09/2010 20:27:18    782613