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:





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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.

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Originally Posted by Speranza

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:

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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.

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.

Presumably this would have to be approved by Central Council of the GAA, not Antrim County Board. No chance.

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Originally Posted by CollegeTillIDie

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.

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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.

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Originally Posted by Patrick Dunne

Presumably this would have to be approved by Central Council of the GAA, not Antrim County Board. No chance.

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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?

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Originally Posted by dcfcsteve

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.

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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.

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...

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Originally Posted by Speranza

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...

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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?

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.

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Originally Posted by David

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?

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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....

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Originally Posted by dcfcsteve

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....

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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.

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Originally Posted by dcfcsteve

As for the Derry City jibe - weak. Very, very weak....

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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.

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Originally Posted by David

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.

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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:

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Originally Posted by David

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.

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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.

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Originally Posted by dcfcsteve

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,

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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.

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Originally Posted by Bald Student

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.

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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

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Originally Posted by dcfcsteve

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.

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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.