This is a genuine question - not an attempt to start a row or wind people up.
I was pleased to see the North get a result over England in the footy. However -as a Northern Irish Catholic, I have a real problem identifying with the team. For me the main reasons are :
- God save the Queen being used as the anthem.
- The Ulster flag being used as the official flag.
- A sectarian element to the fan base.
Now - I know that many people will say that GSTQ is the national anthem for the north, but the Scots and Welsh have opted for their own anthems instead of it. Given how polarising anthems are in the 6 counties, I would've thought the IFA Community Relations guy would've looked into/addressed this by now. It seems to me ridiculous to have GSTQ as the anthem of a team that you then want/claim to represent both communities in the north. The IRFU recognised this by introuducing Ireland's Call (though Amhran na bhFiann is also played in Dublin). Why isn't the IFA capable of using a neutral song that has something to do with Northern Ireland itself ? One that all fans can rally around
On the flag - fans will obviously wave ehat they want/like - but again, the IFA itself seems to be blind to the polarising effect of using the unionist version of the Ulster flag. This is much harder to address than the anthem issue, as you need some sort of flag for a team, so I'm not sure what alternatives would be.
As for the fans - much progress has clearly been made in eradicating ouvert sectarianism from the terraces, and this is to be welcomed. And tha fans at the game on Weds were nothing short of superb - really put the Republic's fans to shame. However -the sectarian instinct of a number of Norn Iron fans still remains. For a substantial section, supporting the north is viewed as an exercise in celebrating their limited version of a protestant/Unionist Ulster. A good friend of mine from Belfast just happened to be on holiday in Malta with his Australian girlfriend last month when the north were playing out there. He only realised the team were playing a game there when he walked into an Irish bar to hear 'The Sash' being sung by, as he desribed them sarcastically "the great Northern Irish fans...". I want nothing to do with a team that attracts substantial numbers of people who view see supporting the North as an opportunity to assert a limited vision of the province. I can't see how this well ever stop though.
I'm not looking to stir-up a political debate here. I'm merely stating that, as a catholic and a nationalist, I actually feel pushed-away from supporting Northern Ireland by the IFA's insistence on using symbolism that identifies the team firmly with one community over another. I only know of one Northern Catholic who is an 'active' northern Irish supporter (i.e. travels to away games etc). I know of one or two more who go to the odd game in Windsor, but that is more out of a love for football. Meanwhilw, I know of a large number of Northern Catholics who actively follow the Republic, and who would echo my sentiments above re not feeling comfortable with the symbolism used by the IFA, let-alone the attitude of some of the fans.
Until such items are addressed, I believe the North will never truely represent the entire 'country'.
So once again - congratulations to the North on a superb result and atmosphere in the game against England. Let's hope the IFA develop a sense of political awareness and institue the above changes that will enable northern Catholics/nationalists like myself from feel fully involved in the party.