Booing the NI Anthem

**Predator** · 25/05/2011, 5:49 PM

We should gather up those hoodlums and roundly whip them to within an inch of their sorry lives. Who do they think they are? We're a mature nation now - all grown up. Booing our new anthem is akin to treason!

**mypost** · 25/05/2011, 6:03 PM

Originally Posted by Willum101

I was at the game with a few mates, one of whom brought a friend from England. It was her first Ireland match and I can honestly say it will be her last. I have been going to matches for 6/7 years without fail however the sectarian singing from a sizeable group behind me was sickening. It was not directed at N.I solely but it was religious. Granted the majority were 16/17 year old lads but it was totally unacceptable! I find it extremely hypocritical that some people on this forum are quick to slate the N.I supporters when you just need to look around and see the same type of chant is occuring in our own section (Block 116 by the way) and the Stewards do NOTHING about it. I enjoy the Singing Section immensely however I shall not be returning to it due to the actions of these so called supporters.Apologies for the rant, it was a fantastic performance and I loved seeing Robbie gagging for a third, but I felt I needed to get it off my chest

Pre-NI game:

"I'm not going because there's no atmosphere"

Post 5-0 win:

"I'm not going because I don't like the atmosphere"

You can't have it both ways, so what do you want?

About the anthem, booing an anthem is wrong, but then it shouldn't be played at an Ireland home game in the first place, it doesn't have to be played, and until 1995 when England showed up, it never was. I didn't boo it, I just registered my protest by remaining seated while it was on. Many others did the same. I'll stand for any anthem at an Ireland game, except that one.

**boovidge** · 25/05/2011, 6:14 PM

Originally Posted by jbyrne

i do actually.
i am 100% supportive of what the singing section is trying to do. however, in my opinion it has worked best when it sticks to what the fans already know. The "we love you" song was introduced over two years ago but has never spread beyond the singing section, neither has the paul mcgrath song and the "just cant get enough" song probably wont either. just constructive criticism for what its worth.

So we're just sticking with "ole ole ole" from now on?

**Willum101** · 25/05/2011, 6:36 PM

Originally Posted by mypost

Pre-NI game:

"I'm not going because there's no atmosphere"

Post 5-0 win:

"I'm not going because I don't like the atmosphere"

You can't have it both ways, so what do you want?

About the anthem, booing an anthem is wrong, but then it shouldn't be played at an Ireland home game in the first place, it doesn't have to be played, and until 1995 when England showed up, it never was. I didn't boo it, I just registered my protest by remaining seated while it was on. Many others did the same. I'll stand for any anthem at an Ireland game, except that one.

sorry mypost but when did I ever say I wasn't going to the game for lack of atmosphere?! I have been going to Ireland games without fail for 7 years now and will continue to! I was merely stating that on this occasion a friend from England joined us and she will probably not return.

**Bungle** · 25/05/2011, 6:54 PM

Last night was the worse atmosphere I've ever been to at a football match. From my own observations, I would say that anything from 65-80% of the fans were Northern Irish Celtic fans..no problem with that as some of my best friends are from the North are Celtic fans and great Ireland fans, but alot around me appeared to me to be bringing their sectarian ****e with them. The young element of mostly Dublin lads were lapping it up and joining in.

Was at the game with a few mates, most of whom have been going to the Ireland games for 25-30 odd years and we all felt the same way. In fairness, a game against the North was always going to attract the knobhead element and probably alot of decent fans stayed away expecting trouble.

All in all, I found myself reminiscing of the old dingy Lansdowne Road with the brilliant Lansdowne Roar.

**backstothewall** · 25/05/2011, 7:30 PM

If people don't like the songs they should start singing something else and shout it down. If it doesn't work at least you tried, but if your just going to stand there with your arms folded muttering something about parkhead, you have no right to complain. People who don't vote have no right to complain about the government, and people who don't sing at football matches have no right to complain about the set list.

As for booing GSTQ, it certainly shouldn't have happened. It has to be said that we don't have a particular problem. It happened when they played Scotland, and it will happen when they play Wales. What troubles me is that because it happened we have no right to complain about the booing of McAleese. Any football crowd needs to be self policing with these things. Relying on the stewards is a bit of a cop out.

**mypost** · 25/05/2011, 7:43 PM

Originally Posted by Bungle

Was at the game with a few mates, most of whom have been going to the Ireland games for 25-30 odd years and we all felt the same way. In fairness, a game against the North was always going to attract the knobhead element and probably alot of decent fans stayed away expecting trouble.

All in all, I found myself reminiscing of the old dingy Lansdowne Road with the brilliant Lansdowne Roar.

Would you prefer a ban on NI fans, as there used to be?

Everyone knew that there were always going to be hardliners there last night. It was a local derby with a tribal atmosphere amid a backdrop of a century of distrust and confrontation. Tbh though, I've been to games at club and international level, where the atmosphere has been much more tense and volatile than last night. It's a football crowd, not a rugger one.

Soon enough, we'll be back to Sunday League atmospheres at Lansdowne, but I guess you won't be happy with that either.

**paul_oshea** · 25/05/2011, 8:15 PM

Didn't our northern brethren tell us on here time and time again that there are very few UJs on show at their games. I saw 7 and one NI flag, perhaps there were more of both but i saw it a few times and couldn't see any.

**Bungle** · 25/05/2011, 9:49 PM

Originally Posted by mypost

Would you prefer a ban on NI fans, as there used to be?

Everyone knew that there were always going to be hardliners there last night. It was a local derby with a tribal atmosphere amid a backdrop of a century of distrust and confrontation. Tbh though, I've been to games at club and international level, where the atmosphere has been much more tense and volatile than last night. It's a football crowd, not a rugger one.

Soon enough, we'll be back to Sunday League atmospheres at Lansdowne, but I guess you won't be happy with that either.

Sorry mate, but I'm a football fan and have been going to Ireland games for years home and away. I was in Windsor Park in 1989 and 1993. I've also been in Turkey in 1991. I know a volatile atmosphere and last night wasn't volatile. However, it was an atmosphere that I haven't seen before at Lansdowne Road and I hope I don't again. It was full of mouthy gob****es. Judging by other posters, alot of people share my view.

**legendz** · 25/05/2011, 10:07 PM

Wasn't there a debate going on in N. Ireland that they should have a new anthem, an anthem of their own instead of GSTQ. Personally I can't see how any nationalist/republican/irishman could line out for a team and sing GSTQ. I know there is some examples of Irish who have done it. Kearney playing rugby league for Britain and then cricket which I'll just leave it there.

**awec** · 25/05/2011, 10:09 PM

Originally Posted by legendz

Wasn't there a debate going on in N. Ireland that they should have a new anthem, an anthem of their own instead of GSTQ. Personally I can't see how any nationalist/republican/irishman could line out for a team and sing GSTQ. I know there is some examples of Irish who have done it. Kearney playing rugby league for Britain and then cricket which I'll just leave it there.

You can line out and just stand and respect the anthem without singing it. Not that many players sing it at the football anyway.

There was never a proper formal debate to change the anthem, the idea was mooted at one stage. For what it's worth I think it would split the NI support in half. One half would be for it as they want to create a Northern Irish identity at the matches and aren't bothered about the whole brit thing, whereas the other half would view it as further erosion of our identity to appease people who wouldn't support us anyway.

**Beavis** · 26/05/2011, 2:33 AM

Originally Posted by jbyrne

i do actually.
i am 100% supportive of what the singing section is trying to do. however, in my opinion it has worked best when it sticks to what the fans already know. The "we love you" song was introduced over two years ago but has never spread beyond the singing section, neither has the paul mcgrath song and the "just cant get enough" song probably wont either. just constructive criticism for what its worth.

Yeah fair enough, no problem with the constructive criticism. I really don't think your main point is it's true though. The songs from the SS get a good airing from everyone on away days (We Love You was all across the 2k stand in Zlina) which I think proves it's not a case of the song choice, it's a case of mood, i.e. most people just don't want to or don't feel comfortable singing at home games but do on booze-fuelled away trips.

Originally Posted by backstothewall

If people don't like the songs they should start singing something else and shout it down. If it doesn't work at least you tried, but if your just going to stand there with your arms folded muttering something about parkhead, you have no right to complain. People who don't vote have no right to complain about the government, and people who don't sing at football matches have no right to complain about the set list.

Couldn't agree more.

**jbyrne** · 26/05/2011, 7:16 AM

Originally Posted by boovidge

So we're just sticking with "ole ole ole" from now on?

i hate ole ole ole. was marginally better when the last ole-ole was ireland-ireland.
have to be realistic though and most fans wont join in with the new songs as they dont know them and therefore its hard for them to catch on.
i have noticed that when known songs and chants start off from the SS they spread well and a decent atmosphere is created. isnt that basically what it should come down to and all that actually matters?
what does it matter whats sung as long as theres support from the stands for those on the pitch?

**DannyInvincible** · 26/05/2011, 7:31 AM

Sounds like the booing of the anthem has been blown a bit out of proportion, but I wasn't there, so I can't really judge other than basing my thoughts on the opinions offered by others.

A friend of mine who was at the game texted me afterwards: "Rare atmosphere, real casual element in the Republic support, thought I was at Parkhead for most of the game!"

Personally, however, I don't see anything wrong with taking songs from elsewhere and moulding them to suit our own ends, even if they do come from Celtic Park. All fans "borrow" songs from other fans. As it happens, it's likely a large fraction of our support will be able to connect with those from Celtic Park, which might help them catch on, because, believe it or not, a large fraction of our support actually happen to follow Celtic and will be aware of what's going on in the stands at Celtic Park.

Was Steven Davis subjected to booing? I suppose that would be slightly more embarrassing.

Originally Posted by an_ceannaire

Jesus Wept

These "fans" wont be happy until we have a Tommy Burns Stand in LR, wear Hoops and sing songs about our father joining the Ra!

What exactly is wrong with "doing the Poznan", as it's been dubbed? Is it popular within Celtic support as well? I wasn't aware of that. It didn't originate at Celtic Park, mind, or even at Eastlands or in Poznan, for that matter. I don't think there's anything wrong with it and I remember doing it in the Brandywell nearly half a decade ago after Derry fans "borrowed" it from PSG fans when we did it in tandem with their support in the Parc des Princes. It looks pretty impressive actually when you see a whole stand doing it. They called it "La Grek", presumably as its origins for them were on the terraces in Greece.

**an_ceannaire** · 26/05/2011, 8:35 AM

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

That's a Basque flag

No no tets, not the basque one. The Yellow Ulster flag, the GAA Ulster flag. You know the one.

**an_ceannaire** · 26/05/2011, 8:39 AM

Originally Posted by mypost

Pre-NI game:

"I'm not going because there's no atmosphere"

Post 5-0 win:

"I'm not going because I don't like the atmosphere"

You can't have it both ways, so what do you want?

About the anthem, booing an anthem is wrong, but then it shouldn't be played at an Ireland home game in the first place, it doesn't have to be played, and until 1995 when England showed up, it never was. I didn't boo it, I just registered my protest by remaining seated while it was on. Many others did the same. I'll stand for any anthem at an Ireland game, except that one.

Pathetic

**ArdeeBhoy** · 26/05/2011, 8:44 AM

Why is it 'pathetic' ?

**mypost** · 26/05/2011, 8:49 AM

Originally Posted by Beavis

Yeah fair enough, no problem with the constructive criticism. I really don't think your main point is it's true though. The songs from the SS get a good airing from everyone on away days (We Love You was all across the 2k stand in Zlina) which I think proves it's not a case of the song choice, it's a case of mood, i.e. most people just don't want to or don't feel comfortable singing at home games but do on booze-fuelled away trips.

There's nothing wrong with singing at home games, and everytime we go to away games the atmosphere is electric, as the home support are as ready to sing for 90 minutes as we are. Obviously different if it's away games in the UK and home games here, where the culture is to shut up rather than sing at home games.

Most of the songs are fair game, even though TFOA is repeated a little too often. Mostly by fans that have never set foot in, nor seen TFOA. One chant I don't like though is the "we love you" one. It sounds awful, has few words, and at Rovers, we make a point by not singing it. So I don't sing it at Ireland games either.

**an_ceannaire** · 26/05/2011, 8:56 AM

Originally Posted by ArdeeBhoy

Why is it 'pathetic' ?

its utterly fukin pathetic. People like that are prob the same lads who were against the queens visit cos of "800 years" bla bla feckin bla..........
Come into the 21st Century lads. Its great fun here!