View Full Version : DC at Casement?
Junior Football: Celtic may switch to Casement Park
By Robert Fenton
06 April 2006
Donegal Celtic are considering a move to register Casement Park for a season, if they make it into senior football.
Also, they are now embarking on installing a number of seats in preparation for what might be an historic moment for the club at the end of the season.
By finishing runners-up in the First Division, they will be involved in a play-off with the second bottom team in the Premier League.
"No official approach has been made," said manager Paddy Kelly but it has been discussed by the club and the club members.
"In view of what has happened with Croke Park staging football next season, the Antrim County Board might be willing to help us out.
"The club will be speaking to the GAA authorities to explore this and we would be hopeful of a favourable response."
Solitude is another option that might be pursued by Celtic who have only Dundela standing in their way to that promotion bid.
They meet the Duns on Saturday week and a win then, would secure their position which currently has them six points in front of the east Belfast side.
Personally cant see this happening. But a nice wee story anyway:rolleyes:
___________________________________________
Speranza
06/04/2006, 4:29 PM
The IFA said that their ground isn't up to scratch. Fair enough but I am sure they said the same about Seaview despite playing an Irish Cup SF there! :rolleyes:
The IFA making mistakes:eek: You must be mistaken.
The IFA said that their ground isn't up to scratch. Fair enough but I am sure they said the same about Seaview despite playing an Irish Cup SF there! :rolleyes:
There is no comparison between Seaview and DC. Seaview has an excellent granstand and terracing on all other sides of the ground and three separate entrances. DC has no seating at all, no terracing even and only one small part of the ground is covered. There is also only one entrance to the ground.
CollegeTillIDie
07/04/2006, 8:26 AM
Well if the Antrim County Board want to offset the costs of traveling to away games in the Bogball National League and the National Hurling League then they should consider it for the rent money alone. Not to mention the upgrading of their facilities . And as many IL games are played on Saturday there should not be too many clashes of fixtures.
Patrick Dunne
07/04/2006, 8:41 AM
Presumably this would have to be approved by Central Council of the GAA, not Antrim County Board. No chance.
dcfcsteve
07/04/2006, 9:57 AM
Well if the Antrim County Board want to offset the costs of traveling to away games in the Bogball National League and the National Hurling League then they should consider it for the rent money alone. Not to mention the upgrading of their facilities . And as many IL games are played on Saturday there should not be too many clashes of fixtures.
The Antrim Board could justifiably turn around and say they'd love to help Donegal Celtic in this way - but don't feel it would be appropriate to do so until the Irish League drops its sectarian rule banning the playing of games on a Sunday.
That is the Irish League's own Rule 42.
paudie
07/04/2006, 10:44 AM
Presumably this would have to be approved by Central Council of the GAA, not Antrim County Board. No chance.
I thought this report was a delayed April fool joke.
1. The northern counties were mostly very hardline about not changing Rule
42.
2. Isn't it right that the rule change only applied to Croke Park so Antrim GAA couldn't let DC use Casement even if they wanted to?
David
07/04/2006, 12:00 PM
The Antrim Board could justifiably turn around and say they'd love to help Donegal Celtic in this way - but don't feel it would be appropriate to do so until the Irish League drops its sectarian rule banning the playing of games on a Sunday.
That is the Irish League's own Rule 42.
What absolute nonsense. There is no rule in the IL banning people from playing. Yet more Derry City chip on shoulder stuff over the Irish League.
Speranza
07/04/2006, 12:11 PM
Yet more unfounded whinging from yourself. Steve never said there was a ban from people playing but there is a ban on playing football on a Sunday. But just you go and rephrase what people post to satisfy your own agenda...
Yet more unfounded whinging from yourself. Steve never said there was a ban from people playing but there is a ban on playing football on a Sunday. But just you go and rephrase what people post to satisfy your own agenda...
He said that the ban on playing on a Sunday is the Irish League's rule 42. Rule 42 banned people from playing GAA, did it not? Therefore how is the no football on a Sunday our rule 42?
Speranza
07/04/2006, 1:16 PM
Joined up thinking obviously isn't your strong point. Not allowing people to play on a Sunday is stopping players go about their normal business. It affects the majority to please the minority and isn't right.
dcfcsteve
07/04/2006, 1:34 PM
He said that the ban on playing on a Sunday is the Irish League's rule 42. Rule 42 banned people from playing GAA, did it not? Therefore how is the no football on a Sunday our rule 42?
A wee tip for you David. When arguing a point, it helps to have some vague notion on what the point you're arguing is all about... :rolleyes:
Rule 42 is the GAA rule banning 'foreign' (i.e. soccer and rugby) from being played in GAA grounds. It was referred to as "your Rule 42", as both are indefensible and unpopular rules.
It is in indesputable fact that the Irish League will not allow its clubs to play games on a Sunday. Ulster rugby have managed to move-on from such a clearly sectarian ruling - why can't the IL ?
The Antrim Board could therefore justifiably choose to raise the point : "We've moved with the times by removing our ban on British security personel playing Gaelic games, and are opening Croke Park to soccer and rugby during the redevlopment of Lansdowne. Time for the Irish League to also move with the times". The Antrim board could therefore turn the IL's own rules against itself, to cover the fact that the GAA has no interest in aiding soccer clubs. Checkmate to the bogball men.
Unless of course you think there is a justifiable right in this day and age to prevent football from being played on a certain day of the week ?
As for the Derry City jibe - weak. Very, very weak....
A wee tip for you David. When arguing a point, it helps to have some vague notion on what the point you're arguing is all about... :rolleyes:
Rule 42 is the GAA rule banning 'foreign' (i.e. soccer and rugby) from being played in GAA grounds. It was referred to as "your Rule 42", as both are indefensible and unpopular rules.
It is in indesputable fact that the Irish League will not allow its clubs to play games on a Sunday. Ulster rugby have managed to move-on from such a clearly sectarian ruling - why can't the IL ?
The Antrim Board could therefore justifiably choose to raise the point : "We've moved with the times by removing our ban on British security personel playing Gaelic games, and are opening Croke Park to soccer and rugby during the redevlopment of Lansdowne. Time for the Irish League to also move with the times". The Antrim board could therefore turn the IL's own rules against itself, to cover the fact that the GAA has no interest in aiding soccer clubs. Checkmate to the bogball men.
Unless of course you think there is a justifiable right in this day and age to prevent football from being played on a certain day of the week ?
As for the Derry City jibe - weak. Very, very weak....
My apologies, I thought rule 42 was the one banning security forces etc. However, there is still no similarity. The Sunday thing is a complete red herring. I believe that the rule should go but I honestly do not believe that any club in their right mind would make use of it. Why do very few EL clubs (if any) play on a Sunday? Because you are going against live football on TV and that would be suicide. This is yet another stick that people use to beat the IL with. Sunday football would alienate a substantial number of supporters and also players. The fact is that I do not think we would gain any supporters by playing on a Sunday but for a variety of reasons would lose a substantial amount.
As for the Derry City jibe - weak. Very, very weak....
Some Derry City supporters waste no opportunity whatsoever to get a dig in at the Irish League. You just have to look at some of the things posted in the wake of Derry City getting a draw at Windsor and how Linfield were not up to the standard of the EL clubs. Me thinks you should have a wee look at how our Setanta group finished. It may have escaped your notice but you are out, we are through, we topped the group and we were the only unbeaten team in the group. Now we may well go no further or we may well go on and win it. Regardless Linfield have proved that they are a match for the Eircom League clubs.
dcfcsteve
07/04/2006, 3:36 PM
My apologies, I thought rule 42 was the one banning security forces etc. However, there is still no similarity. The Sunday thing is a complete red herring. I believe that the rule should go but I honestly do not believe that any club in their right mind would make use of it. Why do very few EL clubs (if any) play on a Sunday? Because you are going against live football on TV and that would be suicide. This is yet another stick that people use to beat the IL with. Sunday football would alienate a substantial number of supporters and also players. The fact is that I do not think we would gain any supporters by playing on a Sunday but for a variety of reasons would lose a substantial amount.
Certain things in life are right, certain things in life are wrong.
The rule banning British Security personnel participating in Gaelic games was wrong - hence it was changed. Whether or not many RUC/PSNI or British army personel wanted to play GAA or not is irrelevant. It was wrong, it had to go, and it went.
Rule 42 is likewise wrong. It's been partially lifted whilst Lansdowne is resbuilt - and I look forward to the inevitable day when it goes in its entirety. Again - whether or not soccer clubs want to avail of any opportunity to use GAA grounds is completely irrelevant. The rule is simply wrong, and has to go.
And so it's the same with the IL's rule re Sunday football. You've tried to defend the rule by saying that no-one wants to play on a Sunday. That is a thoroughly weak argument in favour of it, and does not stop it being fundamentally wrong. In a secular society, the religious foibles of a small minority of the population should not be enxhrined in such a way as to dictate to the majority. EL clubs have the option to play football on a Sunday - and numerous clubs have exercised that right over the years. I'm sure numerous more clubs will at some point in the future. Irish League clubs are denied that right, due to a rule that is rooted in minority sectarianism.
Rugby in Northern Ireland has a much stronger and deeper association with the protestant community than the more mixed sport of soccer does. When Ulster played their first game on a Sunday at Ravenhill, the game was a sell-out. None of those who attended the game had any issue with the sport being played on a Sunday. They may never, ever chose to play a game on a Sunday at all. But that is irrelevant. If Ulster rugby can face down the tiny number of Free Prebyterian bigots on such an issue - why can't the Irish League ? You think a "substantial" number of players and supporters wiould be lost to the IL if you did play on a Sunday ? Really ?? So these people are to be found in the church on a Sunday - not engaging in any other activities such as shopping, family outings, or watching Rangers play in a pub (or even travelling to see English/Scottish football on a Sunday ) ?? :rolleyes:
As for this issue being a stick to beat the IL with - if the association will insist on manufacturing sticks and handing them out to the public, what do you expect ? What next - George Bush bemoaning that the Iraq War is used as a stick to beat his Presidency with....? Sinn Fein claiming that the IRA is used as a stick to beat them with......? :eek:
dcfcsteve
07/04/2006, 3:41 PM
Some Derry City supporters waste no opportunity whatsoever to get a dig in at the Irish League. You just have to look at some of the things posted in the wake of Derry City getting a draw at Windsor and how Linfield were not up to the standard of the EL clubs. Me thinks you should have a wee look at how our Setanta group finished. It may have escaped your notice but you are out, we are through, we topped the group and we were the only unbeaten team in the group. Now we may well go no further or we may well go on and win it. Regardless Linfield have proved that they are a match for the Eircom League clubs.
Blah, blah, blah - yeddah, yeddah, yeddah. Good for you. The team who are by a country mile the best in Northern Ireland could only manage a draw and a win against the THIRD best team in the EL, and couldn't beat the team who are only the SECOND best team in the EL. Woooo - you'd be runaway league leaders down here in no time.....
Our failure to qualify from the group had everything to do with us not taking Glentoran seriously 7 days after we whalloped them 3:1, and nothing to do with Linfield's rather unconvincing performances against us.
Good luck in the remaining Setanta games.
Bald Student
07/04/2006, 3:50 PM
The team who are by a country mile the best in Northern Ireland could only manage a draw and a win against the THIRD best team in the EL,Steve, I agreed with your first post but above is a very weak argument. A draw and a win is a good return against a good team.
dcfcsteve
07/04/2006, 4:02 PM
Steve, I agreed with your first post but above is a very weak argument. A draw and a win is a good return against a good team.
Just bringing David back down to earth a bit. Sure it was a good return against a good team. But Shels were still only the 3rd best the EL had to offer last year - and at this early stage are looking like they'll be even lower down the pecking order this year. Meanwhile, Linfield are by miles the best in the IL. So it was just a little reminder that, whilst Linfield can indeed hold their own against EL clubs, it's been themand them alone from the IL, and they've still got to face their equivalent from the EL.
That said, they'll probably go on and win the bloody thing again now.... :D
Blah, blah, blah - yeddah, yeddah, yeddah. Good for you. The team who are by a country mile the best in Northern Ireland could only manage a draw and a win against the THIRD best team in the EL, and couldn't beat the team who are only the SECOND best team in the EL. Woooo - you'd be runaway league leaders down here in no time.....
Our failure to qualify from the group had everything to do with us not taking Glentoran seriously 7 days after we whalloped them 3:1, and nothing to do with Linfield's rather unconvincing performances against us.
Good luck in the remaining Setanta games.
Results against individual teams are irrelevant, it is how things end up that count. For example, if we won the league but failed to beat Portadown, that would not annoy me in the slightest as we would have proved ourselves to be the best team in the league by finishing top. Likewise it did not annoy me that we did not beat Derry, we won the group and therefore proved that we are the best team in that group.
Bald Student
07/04/2006, 4:11 PM
That said, they'll probably go on and win the bloody thing again now.... :DThat's how I judge things anyway. It's currently 1 - 0 to the IL.
You think a "substantial" number of players and supporters wiould be lost to the IL if you did play on a Sunday ? Really ?? So these people are to be found in the church on a Sunday - not engaging in any other activities such as shopping, family outings, or watching Rangers play in a pub (or even travelling to see English/Scottish football on a Sunday ) ?? :rolleyes:
Numerous players have stated that they would have a problem playing on a Sunday. Michael Halliday being one, Nathan McConnell another due to their religious beliefs. I know of numerous supporters that would feel the same due to their religious beliefs and also one member of the Linfield Management Committee. All these people would frequent church on a Sunday. Why should their beliefs be ignored for what would be a purely cosmetic lifting of a rule.
dcfcsteve
07/04/2006, 7:57 PM
Why should their beliefs be ignored for what would be a purely cosmetic lifting of a rule.
Conversely - why should their faiths, the faith of a minority, dictate the rules for everone else ? Tell me that ?? This is a secular society, ffs ! Why can Irish league football not live by secular rules as well ??
What happens if a couple of Isreali's join the IL - would we then have to stop playing between sunset on Friday and sunset on a Saturday to soothe their religious beliefs ? Why are the beliefs of one religion being held higher than any or all others here ??
How do you know that no IL teams would play on a Sunday if they could ?
And I'm glad you consider equality to be "cosmetic". I prefer to call it 'doing the right thing....'
As for players having an issue with playing on a Sunday - I'm sure that's as much, if not more, to do with amateur players cherishing their free time. I'm sure that, before the advent of Sky and games almost every day of the week, if English players had been asked would they want to have games on different days of the week, with all days up for grabs, many of them would've been against it.
Time to drag the Irish league out of the Jurassic age on this one. I can't believe you even have the nerve to defend something as indefensible as a clearly sectarian rule. Shame....
Conversely - why should their faiths, the faith of a minority, dictate the rules for everone else ? Tell me that ?? This is a secular society, ffs ! Why can Irish league football not live by secular rules as well ??
What happens if a couple of Isreali's join the IL - would we then have to stop playing between sunset on Friday and sunset on a Saturday to soothe their religious beliefs ? Why are the beliefs of one religion being held higher than any or all others here ??
How do you know that no IL teams would play on a Sunday if they could ?
And I'm glad you consider equality to be "cosmetic". I prefer to call it 'doing the right thing....'
As for players having an issue with playing on a Sunday - I'm sure that's as much, if not more, to do with amateur players cherishing their free time. I'm sure that, before the advent of Sky and games almost every day of the week, if English players had been asked would they want to have games on different days of the week, with all days up for grabs, many of them would've been against it.
Time to drag the Irish league out of the Jurassic age on this one. I can't believe you even have the nerve to defend something as indefensible as a clearly sectarian rule. Shame....
I am not an overly religious person, although I certainly do have my beliefs and my belief is that if you go by the Bible, playing football on a Sunday is wrong, it goes against the Ten Commandments. Northern Ireland is essentially a Christian country and whilst the majority would not be church goers, the majority would profess Christian beliefs. Nobody would bat an eyelid when going to a Muslim country at having to adhere to Muslim beliefs, why should this be any different.
Regardless of the religious aspect to it, the reason I believe that any change would be cosmetic is that no club in their right mind would play football on a Sunday from a business point of view. Take tomorrow as an example, at 1130 there is Chelsea v West Ham at 1400 there is Liverpool v Bolton and at 1600 there is Man Utd v Arsenal, all live on Sky Sports. Ards and Dungannon Swifts going against that would really have the crowds flocking in wouldn't it?
gspain
11/04/2006, 8:15 AM
There is no chance of DC getting Casement Park. Antrim GAA have a record of being the most hardline bigots of the lot on this island - (impossible as it may be to believe even worse than Cork GAA). They voted against lifting the ban, against lifting the ban on Northern Ireland policemen playing GAA and agaisnt opening up Croke Park to "foreign games". There is no chance DC will be allowed into Casement Park. It is strictly reserved for IRA rallies and GAA games.
Lux Interior
11/04/2006, 9:34 AM
I am not an overly religious person, although I certainly do have my beliefs and my belief is that if you go by the Bible, playing football on a Sunday is wrong, it goes against the Ten Commandments. Northern Ireland is essentially a Christian country and whilst the majority would not be church goers, the majority would profess Christian beliefs.
Sorry, david. Following that logic, we'd have to close shops, shut down TV transmissions and not wash the car, since the 'seventh day was set aside for relaxing', was it not?
The rule is archaic and whilst I respect the likes of Halliday and McConnell (not to mention Jameson at WC 1982) to abstain from playing, the IL is being inconsistent with society in enforcing this ruling.
The rule, however, effects those of ALL faiths, unlike, say, Rule 42 which was a direct two fingers to 'the English'.
Not Brazil
11/04/2006, 10:34 AM
Blah, blah, blah - yeddah, yeddah, yeddah. Good for you.
Our failure to qualify from the group had everything to do with us not taking Glentoran seriously 7 days after we whalloped them 3:1, and nothing to do with Linfield's rather unconvincing performances against us.
Actually, it had to with the fact that you finished third and only two teams qualified from the group. Linfield qualified because they finished top of the group.
Regarding the stupid "Never on a Sunday Rule", I see the IFA will turn a blind eye to it during the forthcoming USA tour... there's money involved, you see.
In a league that is struggling to survive, clubs should have choice. Removing the rule does not mean that Clubs have to play on a Sunday, but it gives them the choice to, if it suits.
By the way, if a sport choices to play it's games almost all on a Sunday, does that mean it is discriminating against fundamentalists?;)
Dassa
11/04/2006, 11:31 AM
In my opinion if two clubs in NI want to play on a sunday and they can agree,then it is only fair to let them. It would certainly remove the current problem of people not being able to go to matches due to junior football.
hamish
11/04/2006, 9:51 PM
Just reminds me of the Lord's Day Observance Society and their fury when footie started to be played on a Sunday - did that happen in the 60s or 70s?? Have a vague memory of it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lord's_Day_Observance_Society
"In America, at least, it is common to skip church to watch football, a common form of Sabbath breaking. Simply enjoying the day :eek: ]in a non-religious form can also be considered Sabbath breaking".:D
Sorry, david. Following that logic, we'd have to close shops, shut down TV transmissions and not wash the car, since the 'seventh day was set aside for relaxing', was it not?
The rule is archaic and whilst I respect the likes of Halliday and McConnell (not to mention Jameson at WC 1982) to abstain from playing, the IL is being inconsistent with society in enforcing this ruling.
The rule, however, effects those of ALL faiths, unlike, say, Rule 42 which was a direct two fingers to 'the English'.
If the rule is changed, do you see clubs playing on a Sunday?
dcfcsteve
12/04/2006, 11:09 AM
If the rule is changed, do you see clubs playing on a Sunday?
That's not the point. And under the current rules, we'll never know will we !
The Saudi Arabian authorities could argue that the majority of women in their country wouldn't vote if given the chance, but they'd be laughed at if they presented that as a justifiable reason for not extending the franchise to women. The same principle holds here.
The right thing is the right thing - regardless of whether you personally perceive or predict it to be 'cosmetic'.
Lux Interior
12/04/2006, 11:25 PM
If the rule is changed, do you see clubs playing on a Sunday?
I dunno, but that's not the point.
I'm surprised at your stance here, given your forward views on an all-Ireland league:confused:
David
12/04/2006, 11:49 PM
I dunno, but that's not the point.
I'm surprised at your stance here, given your forward views on an all-Ireland league:confused:
I personally have no problem with football on a Sunday but I can respect the views of those that do and understand those views and I detest the way it is used as a stick to beat us with when I don't see anyone utilising it if the rule is changed. I also do not see that as being at odds with an AIL as very few clubs in EL play on a Sunday (if any, I am sure others know better than me). They have realised that playing on a Sunday is madness as it is going against the likes of Chelsea and Man Utd on television. Yet here we have people fighting to remove a rule even though they are unlikely to change anything if the rule is removed. It doesn't matter that much to me personally but it does annoy me people making such a big deal out of something that I class as irrelevant.
On UTV sport tonight that Floodlights have been installed at casement, No connection to DC but if something was worked out between AGAA and DC least the floodlights would be in place.
Sunday Life Home > Sport
Football: Celtic, Linfield & Gerry Adams
Chairman Raymond Bonnar on DC past, present and future
By Alex McGreevy
23 April 2006
RAYMOND Bonnar, the man who has played for, managed, and currently chairs west-Belfast side Donegal Celtic, has confidently claimed the club will "be much bigger" than Linfield and Glentoran when it eventually gains promotion to the Irish Premier League.
Just two games - the promotion play-offs - stand between Donegal Celtic and the beginning of a new era for the First Division outfit that hasn't had to seek its troubles since it was founded in the early '70s.
Bonnar has watched his club suffer similar injustices experienced by Derry City and Belfast Celtic and has even faced down hardline republicans determined, and eventually successful, in their aim to see that Celtic never made history in an Irish Cup tie with the Royal Ulster Constabulary.
As Celtic prepare for the biggest games in the club's short history, Bonnar said: "We stand on the edge of something so big the thought of it is frightening.
"Donegal Celtic, with promotion to the Irish Premier League, will be huge.
"Do I think we can match Linfield and Glentoran on and off the pitch? No, I believe we'll be much bigger than the both of them."
A two-time Steel and Sons Cup winner with Brantwood, Bonnar has watched his club emerge from Sunday League football to dominate the old Dunmurry and District League.
He was there as the Hoops progressed into the Intermediate League and controlled it for over a decade - and at the expense of clubs like Institute, a possible opponent in the forthcoming play-offs.
Five years ago, as a court case to challenge the Irish Football League's continuous rebuttals of Celtic's applications to join the senior ranks loomed, the Suffolk Road club was granted entry to a new-look First Division.
After just three seasons in the Irish League, Celtic players are on the verge of realising three decades of effort before them.
"It's as simple as this, if Donegal Celtic is allowed to prosper, it will become one of the biggest clubs in Ireland and the UK," added Bonnar.
"The potential we have for a core support from west Belfast alone is enormous.
"It's a matter of getting into the Premier League to unearth it.
"It's the appeal of the Celtic name and tradition that will see us grow.
"We will always be looking to expand, be that with Glasgow Celtic, with Irish America, whoever, there are ample markets out there for us.
"I'm not saying we will jump up and run away with things.
"We have waited 20-odd years for this moment and we are prepared to wait a few more before we really challenge the top teams.
"We're not going to splash out on 'top quality' players in our first year because we simply don't have the money at hand.
"Money aside, we do have something that Linfield and Glentoran have - pulling power.
"Talented players want to play for the Blues and the Glens and there are many who will want to wear the Celtic shirt.
"That puts us in a position to select the best from whoever knocks on our door.
"The Celtic appeal will give us a head start over most other Irish League clubs."
Bonnar managed Celtic in a number of contentious games, most notably in the Irish Cup. He was in charge during the infamous tie against Linfield at Windsor Park, where three spectators were struck by plastic bullets during riots and one Celtic player, Brendan Tully, a descendant of Glasgow Celtic great Charlie Tully, was attacked by a Linfield supporter.
The scenes revived the shocking memories of the venue's 'Jimmy Jones incident', when the Belfast Celtic striker was attacked by trouble-makers and had his leg broken.
That dark day in the game led to Belfast Celtic's 1949 withdrawal from the Irish League.
Bonnar was also manager when Celtic earned an Irish Cup replay with Roy Coyle's Ards in the early 90s, only to have the replay returned to Castlereagh Park. In response, Bonnar pulled Celtic out of the Irish Cup.
In the late-90s he went head-to-head with Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams in a dispute that was fuelled by the club's members voting in favour of playing in an Irish Cup tie against the RUC.
But the father of two, whose son Andrew currently plays for Donegal Celtic, is adamant Northern Ireland's football stadiums, and in particular Celtic Park, will not be hit by The Troubles again.
"We have been through a lot over the years but we have come back stronger on every occasion.
"There are people who would have loved to have seen us close down in the 70s, the 80s and the 90s. I believe efforts have been made to make life hard for us but we will never lie down," he added.
"All I want is for Donegal Celtic to achieve sporting excellence for the people of west Belfast. We haven't had that in football since 1949. We're not in for the money. We are in it to provide top quality, full-time football and entertainment for everyone.
"A few years back we believed that we had a right to represent west Belfast in the Irish Cup game against the RUC. We felt that footballers should have been given the opportunity to show their skill and take the chance to make history in our biggest cup competition.
"Outside pressure made us withdraw. The first time we drew the RUC in the Irish Cup we knew there was no way the game would be played because the climate was not right.
"The second time we drew them in a cup competition we were hopeful that the progress made in the political arena would be reflected in sport, but it wasn't to be.
"The experience of having players and members put under intense pressure had to be addressed - that's when Gerry Adams came to the club to talk to us.
"Truth be told, he didn't want us to play the RUC but he respected the determination of the members who had voted to go ahead with the game.
"Let's be honest, there's a hardline element running areas surrounding most Irish League clubs but we are living in good times now and I believe even influential people outside football would like to see sport helping us all build a better place to live in.
"Realistically, the PSNI is still not an acceptable police force in west Belfast, so if ever we come up against them again, we will call on the lessons learned from the past.
"The people who participate in Donegal Celtic and those who support it in the community will have their say but it's good to know that for the past couple of years Lurgan Celtic have been playing against the PSNI without any concerns."
On many occasions, Celtic officials have been advised to change the club's name, identity and its location at the foot of Black Mountain.
Bonnar added: "We will never change our name - never.
"I remember being introduced to a lot of Belfast Celtic legends by the great Jimmy McAlinden, who said to them, 'this is the man who is going to bring Belfast Celtic back to the Irish League'.
"I had to stop him in his tracks and say, 'No, Mr McAlinden, I'm the man who will bring Donegal Celtic to the Irish League'.
"No disrespect to Belfast Celtic but we are Donegal Celtic.
"We will not change our name or our identity for anyone.
"We want to achieve Belfast Celtic's greatness but we will do it as Donegal Celtic."
The guy must be a fool. I do think they can become a big club potentially but one of the biggest in the UK? What is he on?
sonofstan
24/04/2006, 1:00 AM
Do DC have any support to speak of at the moment?
Do DC have any support to speak of at the moment?
No, not really. I was up at their place last season when our reserves played them and our first team game was called off and they would be lucky having 100 supporters. I accept totally that there is massive potential there, personally I do not think they will ever be as big as Linfield but can see the possibility of them becoming bigger than the Glens, although I doubt that as well but to say they will be one of the biggest clubs in UK is certifiable madness.
Speranza
27/04/2006, 8:43 PM
Disappointed to see the club wishing to cash in on the "Celtic name". His words suggest he sees the pulling power of the club in it's nationalist roots. Cliftonville already attempt the uber-taig show and that doesn't work so what makes him the same insular way of promoting a club would work here.
Thunderblaster
04/05/2006, 12:15 AM
This never on a Sunday rule is really outdated. Was it originally brought in for the religious needs of the people of Northern Ireland? People should play and follow football at their own free will.
Lux Interior
05/05/2006, 10:36 PM
No, not really. I was up at their place last season when our reserves played them and our first team game was called off and they would be lucky having 100 supporters. I accept totally that there is massive potential there, personally I do not think they will ever be as big as Linfield but can see the possibility of them becoming bigger than the Glens, although I doubt that as well but to say they will be one of the biggest clubs in UK is certifiable madness.
Was thinking about this the other day.
DC have the potential to become synonymous with west Belfast as we are with east. Whilst commentators get misty-eyed with the Celtic connection, they tend to overlook that the product will bring in supporters and if Donegal Celtic are not delivering, they will not receive the support their officials seem to envisage.
What is always overlooked is Belfast Celtic's ('coz, let's face it, that's what this article's really about) comparatively poor support, despite their successful side. They were not the biggest club in the IL, nor the second, so that myth needs to be put to rest right away.
I have no interest in whether they'll become "bigger" than us (they won't) but I am interested in what they'll bring to the football field.
Once we have our new stadium in the mix and with an all-Ireland dimension in place, then Im confident we'll become as big as we want to be. That's my belief and I ain't losing any sleep looking over my shoulder at Donegal Celtic.
Plastic Paddy
06/05/2006, 10:24 AM
I ain't losing any sleep looking over my shoulder at Donegal Celtic.
A beautiful mixing of metaphors there Lux, well done. :D
You might be losing sleep and shoulders sooner rather than later as Donegal Celtic beat Institute 3-1 last night at Solitude in the first leg of the Premier League play-off.
:ball: PP
dcfcsteve
06/05/2006, 12:36 PM
DC have the potential to become synonymous with west Belfast as we are with east. Whilst commentators get misty-eyed with the Celtic connection, they tend to overlook that the product will bring in supporters and if Donegal Celtic are not delivering, they will not receive the support their officials seem to envisage.
I have no interest in whether they'll become "bigger" than us (they won't) but I am interested in what they'll bring to the football field.
Once we have our new stadium in the mix and with an all-Ireland dimension in place, then Im confident we'll become as big as we want to be. That's my belief and I ain't losing any sleep looking over my shoulder at Donegal Celtic.
What annoys me about Donegal Celtic - and their officials admit this - is that they're looking to trade on borrowed interest.
Donegal Celtic should be working to build their own strong identity and heritage, local links/roots, fan-base etc. Instead, their board seems more interested in taking the lazy route and trading on the 'Celtic' name to drum-up support.
There is indeed a section of Northern Irish society who will be attracted to anything you slap the name 'Celtic' on. But not only are they often the type of supporter you'd rather avoid behaviour-wise, the fact that their interest in you is purely due to your borrowing of another club's identity makes it abundantly clear that they won't be there to support you through thick and thin.
Let Donegal Celtic progress with this misplaced notion that they can build a strong future through draping themselves in someone else's clothes. They'll soon see the error of their ways....
Lux Interior
13/05/2006, 1:05 AM
A beautiful mixing of metaphors there Lux, well done. :D
You might be losing sleep and shoulders sooner rather than later as Donegal Celtic beat Institute 3-1 last night at Solitude in the first leg of the Premier League play-off.
:ball: PP
Donegal Celtic are not rivals of ours - they'll not haemorrage our support ... only FC Apathy will do that.
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