Irish stars receive death threats.

**Plastic Paddy** · 12/01/2011, 7:12 AM

Originally Posted by Mr A

Sectarianism around the old firm? Well I never.

What sort of a comment is this?

When was the last time bullets were sent through the post to a Rangers official or player? When was the last time a Rangers player received death threats due to the club he played for? When was the last time a Rangers fan was murdered simply for wearing his team's colours?

It's as if you perceive some sort of equivalence between 'fans' of Rangers and Celtic. Let's be clear - there is none. 'Lazy' and 'unhelpful' are the nicest things I can think to say in response.

PP

**Not Brazil** · 12/01/2011, 10:09 AM

Originally Posted by Mr A

Sectarianism around the old firm? Well I never.

It transcends far and wide.

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/ne...-15045326.html

I hope the deluded, moronic, flatearth "hard men" who sent the bullets in the post to Messrs Lennon, McGinn and McCourt are apprehended and charged asap.

They are enemies of the Northern Ireland International football team.

**ArdeeBhoy** · 12/01/2011, 11:01 AM

Fair play, NB.

**Not Brazil** · 12/01/2011, 11:07 AM

A very Happy, Peaceful and Prosperous New Year to you and yours AB.

**ArdeeBhoy** · 12/01/2011, 12:26 PM

Will take it in the spirit intended, NB. And to yer good self & folks.

Well, at least until late May....not that that, even remotely matters.

**SkStu** · 12/01/2011, 5:48 PM

Originally Posted by Plastic Paddy

It's as if you perceive some sort of equivalence between 'fans' of Rangers and Celtic. Let's be clear - there is none. 'Lazy' and 'unhelpful' are the nicest things I can think to say in response.

Celtic and Rangers - "two cheeks of the same arse" as i heard it so eloquently put recently.

on the issue itself - it is clearly just some random, idiotic, insane nordy* instead of a sinister vile plot hatched in some Orange Order somewhere.

*im not for one moment suggesting that Ian Paisley sent them.

**Lionel Ritchie** · 12/01/2011, 6:56 PM

Originally Posted by SkStu

...on the issue itself - it is clearly just some random, idiotic, insane nordy* instead of a sinister vile plot hatched in some Orange Order somewhere.

I'm not entirely convinced this is the work of the particular hue of nordie scobe we're assuming was behind these jimminy-japes.

In my (extremely limited) experience of northern loyalists they have sweet feck all interest in the norn iron team or anyone who plays/has played for them. Lennon'd have a bigger profile for sure because he manages Celtic so he's plausible -but McGinn? Don't make me laugh. It wouldn't surprise me in the least if the six-toed mutant ghoulbag behind this stunt came from (using inverted commas to emphasise this is the broadest, widest possible) "OUR" side of the fence. Way more to gain when a particular logic is applied and followed through.

**osarusan** · 12/01/2011, 7:32 PM

Originally Posted by Lionel Ritchie

It wouldn't surprise me in the least if the six-toed mutant ghoulbag behind this stunt came from (using inverted commas to emphasise this is the broadest, widest possible) "OUR" side of the fence.

The BBC (or was it channel 4) suggested this as a possible source on the news tonight - that northern Irish nationalists may be unhappy with the choice of players to line out for the NI team.

**ArdeeBhoy** · 12/01/2011, 8:55 PM

Originally Posted by SkStu

Celtic and Rangers - "two cheeks of the same arse" as i heard it so eloquently put recently.

Clearly the speaker was pretty ignorant on the subject.

The 'conspiracy' theory is a bit more plausible re.the bullets in terms of Irish uber-nats, but given the response in the Northern fraternity in comments sections and the like, the unionist constituency seemed remarkably defensive on the issue.
And albeit a while ago, they do have 'form' in this respect where Lennon, O'Neill and numerous other Celtic players have been targeted in attacks in Glasgow. Not to say Rangers players don't receive 'attention', but nothing to the same extent.

**Predator** · 12/01/2011, 9:01 PM

Originally Posted by Lionel Ritchie

In my (extremely limited) experience of northern loyalists they have sweet feck all interest in the norn iron team or anyone who plays/has played for them. Lennon'd have a bigger profile for sure because he manages Celtic so he's plausible -but McGinn? Don't make me laugh. It wouldn't surprise me in the least if the six-toed mutant ghoulbag behind this stunt came from (using inverted commas to emphasise this is the broadest, widest possible) "OUR" side of the fence. Way more to gain when a particular logic is applied and followed through.

As you admit, your experience of loyalists is extremely limited. There are certainly loyalists who are supporters of the IFA team, who would have enough knowledge of certain players and their backgrounds. These kinds are often the type who support Rangers and have a hatred of all things Celtic. I wouldn't rule the possibility out.

Originally Posted by osarusan

The BBC (or was it channel 4) suggested this as a possible source on the news tonight - that northern Irish nationalists may be unhappy with the choice of players to line out for the NI team.

I have never heard of anyone, in my experience, that holds a grudge against Paddy McCourt or Niall McGinn (or Neil Lennon for that matter), for playing for the IFA. Obviously doesn't rule out the possibility, but I would highly doubt it.

**Poor Student** · 12/01/2011, 9:13 PM

Originally Posted by Not Brazil

I hope the deluded, moronic, flatearth "hard men" who sent the bullets in the post to Messrs Lennon, McGinn and McCourt are apprehended and charged asap.

But McCourt received no bullet in the mail, how do you know there was one sent to him too?

**ArdeeBhoy** · 12/01/2011, 9:26 PM

It was picked out in the Local sorting office to Celtic Park.
And only made the news 24 hrs. ago.

**Poor Student** · 12/01/2011, 9:46 PM

Originally Posted by ArdeeBhoy

It was picked out in the Local sorting office to Celtic Park.
And only made the news 24 hrs. ago.

I was only messing there. Didn't realise McCourt had received one too when I made that post.

**The Fly** · 12/01/2011, 9:59 PM

Originally Posted by Poor Student

But McCourt received no bullet in the mail, how do you know there was one sent to him too?

Originally Posted by ArdeeBhoy

It was picked out in the Local sorting office to Celtic Park.
And only made the news 24 hrs. ago.

I feel a little sorry for Paddy, they didn't think enough of him to send his first-class.

**Gather round** · 12/01/2011, 11:29 PM

.....

**Gather round** · 12/01/2011, 11:34 PM

Originally Posted by Lionel Ritchie

In my (extremely limited) experience of northern loyalists they have sweet feck all interest in the norn iron team or anyone who plays/has played for them

Alas there's plenty of evidence of people with NI paramilitary links attending football matches- overheard conversation, flags, even songs and web postings at a pinch. It'd be amazing if they didn't given their obvious numbers in the population as a whole locally.

It wouldn't surprise me in the least if the six-toed mutant ghoulbag behind this stunt came from (using inverted commas to emphasise this is the broadest, widest possible) "OUR" side of the fence. Way more to gain when a particular logic is applied and followed through

I have no idea who did it, other than that they posted from Ballymoney (a predominantly unionist town). But if pressed I'd guess Rangers fans were more likely than Celtic.

Originally Posted by Predator

As you admit, your experience of loyalists is extremely limited. There are certainly loyalists who are supporters of the IFA team

Your description reminds me of when the Irish Times used to advertise a separate, lower price in the 'Sterling area' (ie, Britain)

I have never heard of anyone, in my experience, that holds a grudge against Paddy McCourt or Niall McGinn (or Neil Lennon for that matter), for playing for the IFA. Obviously doesn't rule out the possibility, but I would highly doubt it

Apart from the guy who's thanked you for this post, you mean? Not that I'm suggesting he sends people ordnance in the post, like.

**ArdeeBhoy** · 12/01/2011, 11:49 PM

As it was me who thanked the Pred there, not sure what you're implying?

And The Irish Times still does that, which you'd know if you ever read it....