Do Northern Unionist's take an interest in G.A.A.?

Freiheit

Just wondering in particular whether many Unionists in Down will be supporting them tommorrow?. I hope so.

super_furry

I'd say about as many as Nationalists join the Orange Order.

Flukey

A lot of unionists would pay attention to it. Some do go to matches. Maybe not the high profile unionists, but the ordinary people do. Lots of Protestants in Northern Ireland have played Gaelic Football. They may have political beliefs, but a lot of them are interested in sports of all kinds, so they would watch Gaelic Games. It is the trappings around the games and GAA, like the playing of the Amhrán na bhFiann or the fact that many clubs and pitches are named after nationalist figures, that are the problem for them, rather than the actual sports in themselves.

Magill

Yeah, obviously not many, but there are a few. I know there was a story in the paper about some guy that was given nothing but abuse from other teams when playing football tho (He was a protestant) so it doesn't really suprise me that most don't take an interest in it.. kinda like how must Catholics don't follow N.Ireland soccer on an international level, as its almost entirely unionist based and Catholics aren't particularly welcome at Windsor park etc. Shame really as it takes a lot of potential talent out of the north when you consider at least half the population has pretty much zero interest in the game... we do all right tho .

Freiheit

I know there was Protestants on some of the Down All Ireland winners in the 60's, can't remember the names but read there was 2 or 3.

Was hoping to see Christine Beakley in a Down shirt, a personality I like, but haven't seen her yet!

Stinicker

If Down win tomorrow would there be a Parade in Belfast to welcome home the team considering that part of the City is in County Down, Banbridge and Newry would also have parades but I was wondering about Belfast as I remember in a programme about Kerry football a down chap was interviewed and he recalled how he took the Sam Maguire into city hall and instead of getting some negative comment the Unionist guys said "I see ye eventually got the cup of those Kerry boys!"

Politics should be kept out of the GAA now and the GAA should reach out more to the Unionist majority in Northern Ireland as we all on this Island should. I was up in Down early this year and had a good chat with an old Unionist hardliner about 70 and at the end of the day we all share the same Island.

RO 06

SOUTH Down MLA Jim Wells has
said the unionist people of his constituency are hoping the fever
surrounding the county's gaelic's team "ends as soon as possible".
"The
unionist population are being made to feel isolated and under siege in
...their own homes," the DUP assembly member told the News Letter
yesterday.

"It is disgraceful that two Down GAA flags are flying
in the middle of Kilkeel, which is a mixed town.

"The amount of
GAA regalia on display is completely unacceptable and totally
insensitive," he added.

aDeener

RO 06 wrote: »

SOUTH Down MLA Jim Wells has
said the unionist people of his constituency are hoping the fever
surrounding the county's gaelic's team "ends as soon as possible".
"The
unionist population are being made to feel isolated and under siege in
...their own homes," the DUP assembly member told the News Letter
yesterday.

"It is disgraceful that two Down GAA flags are flying
in the middle of Kilkeel, which is a mixed town.

"The amount of
GAA regalia on display is completely unacceptable and totally
insensitive," he added.

there is a word to describe people like him:

Removed by smashey

RO 06

aDeener wrote: »

there is a word to describe people like him:

Removed by smashey

i think he has been called that alot in county Down this week

Bottle_of_Smoke

Interestingly enough Billy Wright played when he was younger

the_syco

Freiheit wrote: »

Just wondering in particular whether many Unionists in Down will be supporting them tommorrow?. I hope so.

The die-hard-wouldn't-accept-a-life-raft-from-a-nationalist unionist may have a problem with it, but I'm sure many protestants and catholics will be watching the game.

Magill

RO 06 wrote: »

SOUTH Down MLA Jim Wells has
said the unionist people of his constituency are hoping the fever
surrounding the county's gaelic's team "ends as soon as possible".

"The unionist population are being made to feel isolated and under siege in
...their own homes," the DUP assembly member told the News Letter
yesterday.

"It is disgraceful that two Down GAA flags are flying
in the middle of Kilkeel, which is a mixed town.

"The amount of GAA regalia on display is completely unacceptable and totally
insensitive," he added.

LOL, sure newry is sort of a mixed town aswel (Down + Armagh), but the entire town is covered in red and black. Hes just some bigoted twat, you should have quoted the whole newsletter tho mate as its obvious not every unionist thinks like this asshole.

However Ulster Unionist MLA John McAllister said he was disappointed that he could not travel to Croke Park.

"I had hoped to get to the match, but I have family commitments.

"The atmosphere around the county has been very positive ahead of this match, and I am sure there are many like myself who are wishing the team every success on Sunday," he said.

RO 06

Magill wrote: »

LOL, sure newry is sort of a mixed town aswel, but the entire town is covered in red and black. Hes just some bigoted twat, you should have quoted the whole newsletter tho mate as its obvious not every unionist thinks like this asshole.

However Ulster Unionist MLA John McAllister said he was disappointed that he could not travel to Croke Park.

"I had hoped to get to the match, but I have family commitments.

"The atmosphere around the county has been very positive ahead of this match, and I am sure there are many like myself who are wishing the team every success on Sunday," he said.

just what was on down gaa facebook. plenty of protestant play gaa in the north. was a few on my team

lukin

Robert McCartney (prominent Unionist politician) has a son who used to play GAA, don't know if he still does.

chughes

Magill wrote: »

LOL, sure newry is sort of a mixed town aswel (Down + Armagh), but the entire town is covered in red and black. Hes just some bigoted twat, you should have quoted the whole newsletter tho mate as its obvious not every unionist thinks like this asshole.

Is that lots of laughter or loyal orange lodge

smashey

Just a note here. I have removed an offensive word from here and would ask that a debate be carried out without resorting to vulgarity.

Anyone remember the "All British final" banner from 03?

Wolfe Tone

Bottle_of_Smoke wrote: »

Interestingly enough Billy Wright played when he was younger

Carson was on a Hurling team too as well I think.

alex73

Sport should be beyond Politics and division... Rudby, Hurling, football, its all good and nobody should be offended.

alex73

MUSSOLINI wrote: »

Carson was on a Hurling team too as well I think.

he sure was when we was in Trinity in Dublin.

WHIP IT!

Pal of mine from Coleraine (boxes at amateur level) always says to me - "Ah'd love a crack at that wee game you guys play - looks great fun!"... I always tell him he'd be useless to wind him up though, too small :pac:

alex73

RO 06 wrote: »

SOUTH Down MLA Jim Wells has
said the unionist people of his constituency are hoping the fever
surrounding the county's gaelic's team "ends as soon as possible".
"The
unionist population are being made to feel isolated and under siege in
...their own homes," the DUP assembly member told the News Letter
yesterday.

"It is disgraceful that two Down GAA flags are flying
in the middle of Kilkeel, which is a mixed town.

"The amount of
GAA regalia on display is completely unacceptable and totally
insensitive," he added.

Politicians should stay out of sport.... Its like a TD in the south saying he/she is offended with a Cricket match.

Sport is good, as long as it remains sport (and not a political stick to be used by either side)

Glassheart

RO 06 wrote: »

SOUTH Down MLA Jim Wells has
said the unionist people of his constituency are hoping the fever
surrounding the county's gaelic's team "ends as soon as possible".
"The
unionist population are being made to feel isolated and under siege in
...their own homes," the DUP assembly member told the News Letter
yesterday.

"It is disgraceful that two Down GAA flags are flying
in the middle of Kilkeel, which is a mixed town.

"The amount of
GAA regalia on display is completely unacceptable and totally
insensitive," he added.

They will never have a normal society up there as long as they continue to vote <snip> like him into office.

alex73

Glassheart wrote: »

They will never have a normal society up there as long as they continue to vote <Snip> like him into office.

And we are never going to have it if we insult them.

Glassheart

alex73 wrote: »

And we are never going to have it if we insult them.

Have what?

dromdrom

Peter Whitnall was a protestant. Played on the Down 1991 All Ireland team.

flahavaj

Sure wasn't Sam Maguire himself a Protestant.

Le King

There is lot's of Republican protestants. A religion doesn't define your ideological views. Maguire was a Republican.

Unionism and Protestantism get mixed up a bit too much. The generalisation that Protestants=Unionists is wrong.

Sorry flah I kinda feel bad saying this here as you just posted about Sam Maguire being a Protestant. But I'm saying it more so people aren't mixing up the two rather than having a go at you or anybody else in particular. I hope I'm wording this correctly.

Anyway what would I know, I'm just a dirty Yank anyway... :pac:

shockframe

George Frend of Tipp hurling in the 90s was a protestant I heard also.

Heard too that Joe Deane was too.

Not that any of it matters.The reason i would say a lot more protestants dont play gaa is because of their parents.being seen at rugby is more important than playing a comon game llike hurling/football.

Some others might decide they dont like the gaa and dont have any interest in getting involved.I know 2 people from england who I saw at a hurling county final last year who were never as bored in their life and went away at half time.

I wouldnt have any problem with people from protestant backgrounds playing or following gaa.The more the merrier.As a die hard gaa fan i dont follow the games because of nationalism.Like many others I follow the games becaue they are brillant to watch and the heartbeat of the community.not through any political leanings.

I met the crew of protestant armagh fans in 2003 for a qualifier in roscommon.seemed like an ok crowd.A bit loud but harmless all the same.tried to mingle with everybody in the pub before the game.

Its sad that not everyone follows it but what can you do.

shockframe

shockframe wrote: »

George Frend of Tipp hurling in the 90s was a protestant I heard also.

Heard too that Joe Deane was too.

Not that any of it matters.The reason i would say a lot more protestants dont play gaa is because of their parents.being seen at rugby is more important than playing a comon game llike hurling/football.

Some others might decide they dont like the gaa and dont have any interest in getting involved.I know 2 people from england who I saw at a hurling county final last year who were never as bored in their life and went away at half time.

If its Sars v Drom and Inch they walked away from last year i dont blame them

aDeener

smashey wrote: »

Just a note here. I have removed an offensive word from here and would ask that a debate be carried out without resorting to vulgarity.

hmm, i thought it was a perfect description of him

smashey

aDeener wrote: »

hmm, i thought it was a perfect description of him

Leave it please.

shockframe

Deleted User wrote: »

If its Sars v Drom and Inch they walked away from last year i dont blame them

your right about the sars bit but it was newtown they were playing.

actually it was a father and son at the game and the son asked the father during half time in a posh like voice:

"Father can we go home now and have some lemon cakes"

The_Kew_Tour

Werent the Rackard brothers Protestants?

Freiheit

I see the new Ulster Unionist Party leader Tom Elliot has said that he wouldn't attend a G.A.A. match or attend a Gay Pride march. Seems like he has won by appealing to a conservative and inward looking base which is sad.

mrgaa1

Freiheit wrote: »

I see the new Ulster Unionist Party leader Tom Elliot has said that he wouldn't attend a G.A.A. match ....

Trevor Ringland has come out and said he'll leave that political party if the statement isn't retracted. He argues that the GAA have been reaching out to the unionist section and are working hard on doing so - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-politics-11396846
Personally I've never attended a soccer match in the north and don't intend on doing so. Partially because of the sectarianism but also sport is about community and the dividing of supporters is something that I can't fathom. I

topper75

The quasi-militaristic marching behind a pipe band before matches could be dispensed with in 2010 to be honest. There is an obligation on our sporting association to depoliticise itself always. I know that opinion ruffles feathers but these uniquely Irish games are the heritage of all Irish people. You can go where you like on Sunday morning but we all know where the craic is on Sunday afternoon.

aDeener

topper75 wrote: »

The quasi-militaristic marching behind a pipe band before matches could be dispensed with in 2010 to be honest. There is an obligation on our sporting association to depoliticise itself always. I know that opinion ruffles feathers but these uniquely Irish games are the heritage of all Irish people. You can go where you like on Sunday morning but we all know where the craic is on Sunday afternoon.

its amazing what bothers people....:rolleyes:

you must never have marched around a pitch behind a band, it's an incredible feeling and really gets both players and supporters going

topper75

aDeener wrote: »

its amazing what bothers people....:rolleyes:

you must never have marched around a pitch behind a band, it's an incredible feeling and really gets both players and supporters going

It's a hangover from the war of independence and it's now 2010. You could also be amazed at what people want to hang on to!!! If you need to see your team march like a flying column behind a pipe band in order to get 'going', then what can I say...? Plenty of other 'organisations' you could join mate. This is gaelic games.

Fandango

Without reading the whole thing, im sure there are a number of unionists that play however id say a very small percentage as most would be people who grew up during the fighting and so alot would see it as the sport of the enemy but im sure once peace (or relative peace at least) lasts in the north, more and more will take an interest. Having said that (and this is my own guess here) id say most unionists who play or may do in the future are people who see themselves as Northern Irish first and British second. I dont know quite how to explain my point exactly but hopefully you will know what i mean. The easy way to explain it would probably insult both types of unionists im referring to so i wont do that

aDeener

topper75 wrote: »

It's a hangover from the war of independence and it's now 2010. You could also be amazed at what people want to hang on to!!! If you need to see your team march like a flying column behind a pipe band in order to get 'going', then what can I say...? Plenty of other 'organisations' you could join mate. This is gaelic games.

christ almighty :rolleyes:

how exactly is it a "hangover" from anything?..... you are obviously one of those who tries their best to find offence in everything. pathetic.



lol at trying to draw the 'ra card too. very sad

Leroy Lita

shockframe wrote: »

George Frend of Tipp hurling in the 90s was a protestant I heard also.

No he wasnt

thehamo

I remember a few years back I went up to play a rugby match in university of ulster and the gaa team were out training while we were running past them to the pitch. To our surprise they started shouting Fenian b***rds and go back were ye came from! Couldn't believe it was coming from the gaa team. Tho coulda been just to put the frighteners up us cause we stayed around the college for hours after and everyone was bangon and none a that messin going on!

Winty

adrian280582 wrote: »

Werent the Rackard brothers Protestants?

A number of posts have said about Protestant players playing GAA.

The OP is "Unionists" take an interest in GAA.

I am a protestant who played GAA.
Many many Protestant love GAA.
Just look at the All Ireland final is played for the Sam Maguire no greater Irish man than Sam a good Protestant lad.

So please remember Protestant is not Always Unionist

The_Kew_Tour

thehamo wrote: »

I remember a few years back I went up to play a rugby match in university of ulster and the gaa team were out training while we were running past them to the pitch. To our surprise they started shouting Fenian b***rds and go back were ye came from! Couldn't believe it was coming from the gaa team. Tho coulda been just to put the frighteners up us cause we stayed around the college for hours after and everyone was bangon and none a that messin going on!

They csalled you fenian b*******???

thehamo

Yup! Thought it hilarious comin from the gaa team. But like I say could have been just to put the frighteners on us. Serious rugby team too, took a hiding that day!!!

aDeener

thehamo wrote: »

Yup! Thought it hilarious comin from the gaa team. But like I say could have been just to put the frighteners on us. Serious rugby team too, took a hiding that day!!!

ah yeah thats not that uncommon, its all a bit of winding. you also hear southern teams being called free staters and the likes.

I dont know

@ thehamo, I’m pretty sure the lads were just winding yous up, probably an inside joke with the squad.
I have a Cork housemate that I regularly call a free stater, just to annoy him. He’ll usually refer to me as being a brit.


To answer the initial question of Do Northern Unionist's take an interest in G.A.A.?, Yes, they do take ‘an interest’.

I work with a lot of guys in Belfast that I assume would be unionists who would follow Irish League soccer and the NI team, but at the same time they do keep an eye on inter county football, and would be able to tell me how Tyrone done at the weekend, especially if we lost!! Down home, especially since we’ve won the recent all-irelands, a lot of unionists would take an interest in the county team, you’d be surprised the amount of them that go to games and were out celebrating on the street in 2003
But these would all be decent people who are interested in sport and aren’t into the whole sectarian thing
In the underage teams at my club now, we have kids from all walks of life, different nationalities and religions. Whether they are unionists or not, I don’t know, but also don’t care.

You also would have the other kind of unionist like Nelson McCausland, who would ‘take an interest’ in the GAA, but their only interest would be pointing out its failings and highlighting how it’s a cold house for unionists etc etc

The Ulster council are doing great work, especially with the Cuchullains teams to encourage school kids from non GAA backgrounds (both in Catholic & State schools) to play gaelic games.
Although I think there are plenty of unionists up here following inter county teams, I don’t think there are enough joining clubs

Freiheit

Freiheit wrote: »

I know there was Protestants on some of the Down All Ireland winners in the 60's, can't remember the names but read there was 2 or 3.

Was hoping to see Christine Beakley in a Down shirt, a personality I like, but haven't seen her yet!

id rather see her, or her sister with no shirt whatsoever

bitter

Winty wrote: »

A number of posts have said about Protestant players playing GAA.

The OP is "Unionists" take an interest in GAA.

I am a protestant who played GAA.
Many many Protestant love GAA.
Just look at the All Ireland final is played for the Sam Maguire no greater Irish man than Sam a good Protestant lad.

So please remember Protestant is not Always Unionist

bang on the money :cool: