Bloody GAA

[finlma]

They're not even going to discuss opening up Croke Park now.

http://www.breakingnews.ie/2004/03/09/story137559.html

[eoinh]

apparently it was due to the wording of the motion. it didnt fit the linguistic requirements of a "proper" motion - laughable.


i wonder did all the other motions have to go through such a complex review before they were accepted :rolleyes:

[pete]

Clearly the GAA can do whatever they want with their own stadium but seems by dodging the issue they only prolonging the "discussions" & rumours.

:rolleyes:

[Declan_Michael]

Bout time the government cut off their funding.

[gspain]

GAA behaved as expected here - no surprises.

however how come our government can continue to give hundreds of millions to the most overtly sectarian and narrow minded bigoted bunch of neanderthals defies belief.

Furthermore how can corporate Ireland continue to turn a blind eye to this and continue to find them.

I feel pity for the rank and file GAA member but they must take responsibility and get rid of these guys who are allowed to run the organisation. Even when they elect a decent non sectarian president he gets scuppered at every turn by the backwoodsmen and the evil brains who are telling them what to do.

[Dodge]

Originally posted by pete
Clearly the GAA can do whatever they want with their own stadium but seems by dodging the issue they only prolonging the "discussions" & rumours.

:rolleyes:

Thats the point pete. If they decide no, fair enough. They are doing themselves no favours by fudging the issue.

[TommyT]

Originally posted by gspain
however how come our government can continue to give hundreds of millions to the most overtly sectarian and narrow minded bigoted bunch of neanderthals defies belief.


I thought giving money to Linfield was a nice goodwill gesture :rolleyes:

As for the Gaaaaa may all their shytes be hedgehogs but if they've that many members (still loads even though they exaggerate) they deserve some funding.

[Condex]

The GAA is full of bigots(or true Gaels) as they say and the lot from the north are the worst.

The worst thing is that Croke Park is uder utilised and is costing them a lot of money to maintain.

I wouldn't bother with them, its time soccer and rugby went their own way.

[NigeSausagepump]

As a member of a GAA club and a football (soccer) fan who supports the opening of Croker I must day this decision is a sad day for any vestiges of democracy left within the GAA. It's left a lot of people, myself included, very angry and I doubt we've heard the end of it. The GAA prides itself as being the sum of it's members - which in this case it clearly isn't. All the terms being bandied about in the press including dictatorial and totalitarian are bang on. Don't expect the rank and file to sit back on this.

[Footie_Fan]

It appears to me as if the vast majority of the ground root members have no problem opening up Croke Park. And the players association have already issued a statement describing their upset at the decision. The current present wants to open it up but is being blocked by the past presidents. It's the old bigoted members who are stopping this.

[Footie_Fan]

It appears to me as if the vast majority of the ground root members have no problem opening up Croke Park. And the players association have already issued a statement describing their upset at the decision. The current president wants to open it up but is being blocked by the past presidents. It's the old bigoted members who are stopping this.

[tiktok]

it's my understanding that the 'motions commitee' that decided against debating the issue is comprised among others by former president of the association Jack Boothman and some former provincial GAA leaders who've made it quite clear where he stood on the issue recently.

it's a shame that with the progressive thinking president they now have and the general grass-roots support for the idea of opening up croker, that the power ultimately rested with old hard liners who's day in the sun should have long since ended.

[gspain]

Originally posted by TommyT
I thought giving money to Linfield was a nice goodwill gesture :rolleyes:

.

do you mean the team with 2 fullbacks called Pat and a centre half called Murphy?

I've no doubt Linfield practised sectarian policies from 1950-1988 but to compare with the GAA is deeply insulting. Furthermore Linfield never had any asscoiation with terorist organisations.

[republic]

Originally posted by Footie_Fan
It appears to me as if the vast majority of the ground root members have no problem opening up Croke Park. And the players association have already issued a statement describing their upset at the decision. The current present wants to open it up but is being blocked by the past presidents. It's the old bigoted members who are stopping this.


Jack Bigotman and his cronies still have incredible power within the GAA.

What is sickening is the truckloads of money that Mr McGreedy has put the way of the GAA without any preconditions attached. However, we should not get too worked up about this issue. I, for one would much prefer that the National football and rugby teams moved out of the country during the duration of the Lansdowne Road redevelopment.

Let them stew in their bitterness and hatred.

[Paddy Ramone]

Originally posted by gspain

I've no doubt Linfield practised sectarian policies from 1950-1988 but to compare with the GAA is deeply insulting. Furthermore Linfield never had any asscoiation with terorist organisations.

I don't know about that, don't Linfield draw some of their support from Loyalists. Let's just say that not too many of their supporters vote for the Alliance Party. :D

[Paddy Ramone]

Originally posted by republic
Jack Bigotman and his cronies still have incredible power within the GAA.


I wonder how does Jack Boothman aka Jack Bigotman a Church of Ireland member and an Anglo-Saxon qualify for membership of the GAA as he clearly isn't a "Gael". Has he any Gaelic blood at all? It's a disgrace that a "racial inferior" was elected president of our "national" sporting body. What's the world coming to? :D

Cuchulainn must be turning in his grave!:D

[eoinh]

Originally posted by Paddy Ramone
I wonder how does Jack Boothman aka Jack Bigotman a Church of Ireland member and an Anglo-Saxon qualify for membership of the GAA as he clearly isn't a "Gael". Has he any Gaelic blood at all? It's a disgrace that a "racial inferior" was elected president of our "national" sporting body. What's the world coming to? :D

Cuchulainn must be turning in his grave!:D


Actually to be a true gael you shouldnt be christian. i worship the druids. bloody christians!! that british git St patrick comes over here and converts us from our true pagan religions.


anybody fancy a sacrifice tonight?:)

[gspain]

Originally posted by Paddy Ramone
I don't know about that, don't Linfield draw some of their support from Loyalists. Let's just say that not too many of their supporters vote for the Alliance Party. :D

I actually know an Alliance voting Blueman - I've staye din his house. I also used to know a Fine Gael voter who supported the Blues.

Paddy you can't judge a club because there is a scum element to their support.

Linfield have never associated themselves with Loyalism or allowed the club the ve associated with Loyalism.

The GAA's official policy for the last 25 years has been to support "the sturggle for national liberation" In the absenc eof clarification I think we all know what that means. Tyrone players were allowed to be used in GAA kit on SF election material. Dungiven GAA chairman/Republican Movement MLA Francie Brolly stated "the gAA is synonymous with Republicanism".

Would Linfield allow the follwing (Loyalist terrorist equivalent) into Windsor Park? - example is for one week in October last

FUNCTION: Featuring the Spirit of Freedom. 9pm Saturday 20 October, GAA Club, BISHOPSTOWN, CORK. T‡ille £5

IRISH NIGHT: Featuring the Wolfe Tones. 8pm Wednesday 24 October, St Davog's GAA Centre, AGHYARAN, County Tyrone. Band on stage at 10pm. Tickets from GAA Centre and the Cairde Office, Strabane. Tickets limited. Contact no 71 382119

HUNGER STRIKES COMMEMORATION: Through Song and Stories. 9pm Saturday 27 October, GAA Centre, DERRYTRESK, County Tyrone. £3 donation at door.

SF FUNDRAISER: Featuring Justice. 9pm Sunday 28 October, O'Rahilly's GAA Club, DROGHEDA, County Louth. T‡ille £5. Organised by the Bobby Sands SF Cumann

CROSSMAGLEN HUNGER STRIKE COMMEMMORATION: Unveiling of Memorial Stone. Assemble 2pm Sunday 21 October, Rangers GFC, CROSSMAGLEN, County Armagh. Prominent Speakers in Attendance


o AMACH AGUS ISTEACH. Republican Ex-Prisoners, Ardeoin. A Chara, Is mian linn cuireadh a thabhairt duit freastal ar bhur Cruinniu Ginearalta. Ar Aoine 24u Deireadh Fomhair 2003. I Ogra Seomrai GAA, Ardeoin. Cordially invite you to our AGM on Friday 24 October 2003 @7.30pm. In minor rooms, GAA, Ardoyne. As an Ex-POW it's in your interest to attend. Is Tusa Le Meas, Coiste, Amach agus isteach

[Paddy Ramone]

Originally posted by eoinh
Actually to be a true gael you shouldnt be christian. i worship the druids. bloody christians!! that british git St patrick comes over here and converts us from our true pagan religions.


anybody fancy a sacrifice tonight?:)

Dead right eoinh that St Patrick was a Brit scumbag.

[republic]

Originally posted by gspain
I also used to know a Fine Gael voter who supported the Blues.




What's unusual about that??

I thought all FG'rs were unionists :D

God knows what teams the PD's support....... :D

[Paddy Ramone]

Originally posted by republic
What's unusual about that??

I thought all FG'rs were unionists :D

God knows what teams the PD's support....... :D

The PD's hate football or soccer as they'd call it since they support Ireland joining the USA as the 51st state. Probably prefer American Football :D

You're a bit unfair on the "Blueshirts" only some of them are Unionists, they do trace their ancestory back to Michael Collins and Sinn Fein.

[Paddy Ramone]

Originally posted by gspain
I actually know an Alliance voting Blueman - I've staye din his house. I also used to know a Fine Gael voter who supported the Blues.

The GAA's official policy for the last 25 years has been to support "the sturggle for national liberation" In the absenc eof clarification I think we all know what that means. Tyrone players were allowed to be used in GAA kit on SF election material. Dungiven GAA chairman/Republican Movement MLA Francie Brolly stated "the gAA is synonymous with Republicanism".


There certainly is a link between the GAA and Republicanism. But aren't Alliance Party, Fine Gael and SDLP voters also involved in the GAA.

I'm no apologist for the GAA but haven't nearly all those from Catholic Nationalist backgrounds who've played for Northern Ireland played GAA. Pat Jennings, Martin O'Neill and Gerry Armstrong all came from GAA backgrounds before switching to association football.

Nearly all Nationalist Catholic families have links with the GAA and that's a fact and they see it as way of expressing their Irish identity whether we like it or not.

[gspain]

Originally posted by Paddy Ramone
There certainly is a link between the GAA and Replicanism. But aren't Alliance Party, Fine Gael and SDLP voters are also involved in the GAA.

I'm no apologist for the GAA but haven't nearly all those from Catholic Nationalist backgrounds who've played for Northern Ireland played GAA. Pat Jennings, Martin O'Neill and Gerry Armstrong all came from GAA backgrounds before switching to association football.

Nearly all Nationalist Catholic families have links with the GAA and that's a fact and they see it as way of expressing their Irish identity whether we like it or not.

Paddy my point is very simple.

The background of followers is not at issue. Of course there are thousands of decent GAA people.

However the GAA as an organisation is sectarian and anti British. furthermore as an organisation (or units of its organisation) it has shown support in many different ways for the Republican Movement which includes a private terorist army.

Given that it is so choosy who is allowed to use its premises eg Statoil can't hold the Junior Cup draw on GAA property this makes throwing its doors open to ex POWs (sic) of the "struggle for national liberation" all the worse.

Now the F.A.I. does not have a policy on the 2Struggle for national liberation" nor does Linfield opr Cobh Ramblers or Bective Rangers RFC.

2 different drug dealers in Limerick have supported us in the past - you can't help who your supporters are but you can help what your policies are.

[Paddy Ramone]

Originally posted by gspain
Paddy my point is very simple.
However the GAA as an organisation is sectarian and anti British.

The GAA is indeed an anti-British organisation but to say it is sectarian is debatable. They did elect a Protestant (but still a GAA bigot) as president. Sam Maguire was a Protestant and a friend of Michael Collins and fought on the pro-treaty side in the civil war. They could do a lot more though to encourage Ulster Protestants and Unionists to play their games.

[fromthenorthffs]

Furthermore Linfield never had any asscoiation with terorist organisations.

Does having you gate money pinched as the ground gets locked up count?

[gspain]

Originally posted by Paddy Ramone
The GAA is indeed an anti-British organisation but to say it is sectarian is debatable. They did elect a Protestant (but still a GAA bigot) as president. Sam Maguire was a Protestant and a friend of Michael Collins and fought on the pro-treaty side in the civil war. They could do a lot more though to encourage Ulster Protestants and Unionists to play their games.

Sam Maguire was also an IRA man and as you say Jack Boothman is a member of the CoI

While the GAA have no overtly sectarian rules and I genuinely believe if somebody turned up at a GAA club and said they were protestant and fancied a gam eof hurling they'd be made welcome the whole ethos of the oprganisation is RC - based on the parish and even Jack Boothman's first official function a spresident was to attend a Mass in his honour.

[Paddy Ramone]

The GAA do have a very "pure" vision of Irish identity though. I read about when IRA prisoners in Co Kerry were executed by De Valera ( a rugbyman of course!) during the "emergency", the IRA wanted the GAA to cancel their matches in protest. The GAA refused and one GAA member, a Catholic priest accused IRA members of playing "foreign games".

Interesting the IRA have never banned their members from playing "foreign games". Examples include de Valera, Kevin Barry, William Cosgrave, Sean Lemass, Brendan Behan, Martin McGuinness (brother played for Derry City) and Martin Ferris.

Although there was a ban in Conradh na Gaeilge (Gaelic League) on members playing foreign games up until the 1940's.
Gaelic League founder Douglas Hyde was even a victim of the ban after he attended an international match in Dalymount!

[Lionel Ritchie]

Originally posted by Paddy Ramone
The GAA is indeed an anti-British organisation but to say it is sectarian is debatable.

Paddy ... in your very own statement you show their sectarianism is not debatable.
You're narrowing sectarian to a purely religious prejudice when sectarian actually covers any discrimination by one group of people on another based on the latters belonging to a different 'Sect' ...It need not be a religious sect. It can be a cultural, social, political, racial.

Therefore if the GAA are anti-British they are by definition sectarian. Wherther anyone likes it or not about a fifth of the population of Ireland consider themselves British to one degree or another.

Nice dodge incidently on whether it's appropriate for the GAA to make it's premises available for republican prisoners fundraisers which gspain raised.

Considering their geographical catchment area Linfield in all likelihood have supporters with loyalist tendencies ...who knows probably even with loyalist paramilitary links. That's no more Linfields fault than the muppets with different paramilitary initials on their knuckles who possibly follow Cliftonville, Limerick, Derry City, Cork City, Dundalk etc... are the fault of those clubs.

[Bring Back Mick]

Think back to World Cup 2002 / 94 /90 how much money was made by GAA clubs selling Ireland polo / t shirts etc for these competitons through the clubs througout the UK and Ireland...

I say send the bulldozers into croker and build some flats, offices and a shopping mall prime city centre spot, and start again with a stadia for all sports played in ireland !!!

[petef]

The government (well tax payer in the end, it always is isnt it) fell hook line and sinker into this one by handing them the cash to go ahead without any agreement regarding the opening of Croker to other sports in the first place.

[Bald Student]

The exact opposite is true. The government (or the national lottery in this case) handed them the money in order to prevent Croker from being opened.

[petef]

This gets even more confusing, the only thing then is thats its a complete contradiction in terms.

[Bring Back Mick]

Well they might as well bring Disney land to Ireland @ Croke Pk, run by a micky mouse organization anyways..............

[gspain]

Most of the initial funding for Croke Park came with no strings attached. With hindsight a mistake by the government.

The last batch (€38 million still unpaid) came the night before avote to open Croke Park because the "broken glass spreaders" were in danger of going bankrupt and Bertie wanted to keep Abbottstown alive.

The england rugby game last year was worth €90 million to the economy. It was impossible to get a hotel bed within a 50 mile radius of Dublin. Wales bring 15,000 rugby fans over for every game here (only about 5,000) get in. Many go to Limerick and don't go near Dublin. Scotland always bring a large travelling crowd too. Our football Internationals are also worth a considerable amount with significant home support travelling from the UK as well as some travelling fans. All this money will be lost to our economy for 2-3 years while Lansdowne is being redeveloped.