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Multi-denominational GAA

  • 29-10-2008 10:53am
    #1
    future_plans
    Closed Accounts Posts: 380 ✭✭


    Firstly, I am fully aware that this topic has the potential to become very over heated and abusive, so I would appreciate if posters would keep comments on the subject matter and do so in as civilised and mannerly fashion as possible.

    Secondly, Rule 7(b) of the GAA constitution states: 'the Association shall be non-sectarian'.

    So in light of this and the alleged sectarian abuse of a club minor footballer a few weeks ago (http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/1017/1224108325305.html), I think this is an issue that must and should be discussed.

    Personally, it disgusts me to hear that such abuse happens at any level of the games (let alone a minor level!). We saw it at senior level last year with Darren Graham. It seemed to me that the GAA, while condemning this behaviour, has no active process to deal with and eliminate this type of behaviour. Obviously, depending on where the games are played, some locations will be more sensitive and have more active sectarianism that others. My guess is that there are relatively high numbers of protestants playing GAA in Dublin and the surrounding counties. And they do so, trouble and abuse free. However, in the current and future Irish society it is an issue that should be tackled head on. In fact, not only religion but also race is a burning issue.

    Do people know of many other non-catholic GAA players? If so have they encountered abuse and intimidation that they have declined to report?

    What should the GAA do about this issue? Some clubs in their charter endorse the fact that they are non-denominational and actively enforce this.

    At a county board level, it seems to me that whenever such a sensitive incident like this arises, the board ends up "running like frightened foxes from a forest fire".

    Again these are only initial thoughts from myself and would be interested in stirring up some debate on the issue.


Comments

  • #2
    8kvscdpglqnyr4
    Closed Accounts Posts: 413 ✭✭8kvscdpglqnyr4


    future_plans wrote: »
    Do people know of many other non-catholic GAA players?
    Yes - I know of lots of non-catholic players. Most of my friends who play GAA in the west are atheists (or diests) and are definitely not catholic. On a local football team, I know for sure that 5 of the starting 15 are atheists.

    However, I don't think the problem is with non-catholics per se, I think it's with Curch of Ireland members in particular. The roots of this problem go a long way back and are not really about religious beliefs.


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