Is the GAA a force for good in modern Ireland?

j1smithy

From a lot of threads on this forum I've been noticing subtle and sometimes outright hostility from some towards the GAA. It appears that a few people here have a major problem with the organisation however I pose this question to the sometimes silent majority in AH, is the GAA a force for good in modern Ireland?

I can see both sides of this argument. Some will say that the organisation is a shining light of amateurism in a cynical world of professional sport. One of the few games to still be honest at the highest level. As a group of people it has achieved great things, becoming the largest sporting organisation in the country with excellent facilities in all counties. It draws communities together and creates a spirit of unity like no other that is uniquely Irish.

The other side of the coin is of course that its members can be narrowminded. The size and power of the organisation vacuums up all the limited funding for sport from central government which has a detrimental effect on other games. Others will object to its ubiquitousness especially during the summer. While not a political organisation - it appears to be feverently nationalistic, which alienates some.

On the whole, I think the modern (not historical!) GAA is a negative influence in Ireland. Many of its members closemindedness reflects poorly on our society in my opinion. Between the GAA and the church, they are two organisations the country needs to break free from.

What do you think?

kincsem

And Fianna Fail.

superfish

and what will we do with all the rednecks when they have no other purpose in life, you cant just go round taking their sticks and little balls off them

stovelid

http://omg.wthax.org/stick.jpg

Nodin

stovelid wrote: »

http://omg.wthax.org/stick.jpg

'it's a physical game..'

ardmacha

Many of its members closemindedness reflects poorly on our society in my opinion

.

Perhaps you had better give an example of this "closemindedness" so that we know what you are talking about.

Pauleta

I like the sports but i hate the association. I also hate shamrock rovers but the way they treated them was disgraceful. They also seem to have people embedded all over the place to make sure nobody speaks anything negative about them. The ulster branch of the GAA are up there with the orange order in terms of bigotry and hatred.

rockmongrel

FFS lads, it's only sport. And this coming from someone who hasn't played sport since he was twelve.

squod

If football is to be taken seriously there needs to be a topless female league.

Notorious97

superfish wrote: »

and what will we do with all the rednecks when they have no other purpose in life, you cant just go round taking their sticks and little balls off them

Last time i checked it wasnt just 'rednecks' who supported and played our national games. Im from Dublin, and im always at Dublin games, and i also played Gaelic regularly when i was younger for years as many Dubs do.

Im not sure why people are so hostile to this organisation, i think ireland needs it, i support other sports too but i think it is great we have our own sport, and i also like the way it is getting more and more popular in the UK, and even the USA.

i think more kids should be involved with these games, they are a great outlet for young people to meet and socalise with other kids their own age. I personally think the GAA is a great organisation, but i can also admit there is some backward thinking within it but its heart is in the right place, just no harm in changing some older out dated traditions either.

Basically Ireland is a better place for having its own national sports, and those who participate or support it are who make it a worth while past time.

epgc3fyqirnbsx

rockmongrel wrote: »

FFS lads, it's only sport. And this coming from someone who hasn't played sport since he was twelve.

This. Dont over think it, 99% of people are involved in t becasue they like running around a field and everyone needs a hobby

j1smithy

ardmacha wrote: »

.

Perhaps you had better give an example of this "closemindedness" so that we know what you are talking about.

http://www.kerryman.ie/premium/news/pitch-battle-gaa-and-soccer-club-in-dispute-1693508.html

Disgraceful behaviour.

Ebbs

squod wrote: »

If football is to be taken seriously there needs to be a topless female league.

With no "sticks or balls"

ardmacha

The ulster branch of the GAA are up there with the orange order in terms of bigotry and hatred.

Perhaps you had better give an example of this.

mossyc123

j1smithy wrote: »

Between the GAA and the church, they are two organisations the country needs to break free from.

What do you think?

I think you shouldn't be worrying yourself what other people get up to on a Sunday.

Whether it's going to Mass or heading to play/watch a GAA Match or both.

"Needs to break free from"... could you elaborate on that?

newmug

To be fair, boards is very biased. I doubt the vast majority of regular posters would be into GAA. As for the nationalistic bit, thats just the default position of most people, standing up for yourself and your familiars, and being proud of them, GAA or not.

Insect Overlord

It'd be a much stronger force for good if half the talent in the country wasn't emigrating.
Training this season is going to be very strange without some of the lads who've left.

sonic85

a force for good? sounds like steven seagals next straight to dvd release. does the gaa build houses for the poor or something?

superfish

Notorious97 wrote: »

Last time i checked it wasnt just 'rednecks' who supported and played our national games. Im from Dublin, and im always at Dublin games, and i also played Gaelic regularly when i was younger for years as many Dubs do.

Im not sure why people are so hostile to this organisation, i think ireland needs it, i support other sports too but i think it is great we have our own sport, and i also like the way it is getting more and more popular in the UK, and even the USA.

i think more kids should be involved with these games, they are a great outlet for young people to meet and socalise with other kids their own age. I personally think the GAA is a great organisation, but i can also admit there is some backward thinking within it but its heart is in the right place, just no harm in changing some older out dated traditions either.

Basically Ireland is a better place for having its own national sports, and those who participate or support it are who make it a worth while past time.

so your like a cross breed a dubneck then ? the kind of fella who pulls the ol bails using his bmw m3

j1smithy

newmug wrote: »

To be fair, boards is very biased. I doubt the vast majority of regular posters would be into GAA. As for the nationalistic bit, thats just the default position of most people, standing up for yourself and your familiars, and being proud of them, GAA or not.

Boards.ie has a broad user base in the age range 18-35, it should reflect opinions in that demographic generally pretty well.

stovelid

ardmacha wrote: »

Perhaps you had better give an example of this.

http://file011b.bebo.com/8/large/2007/08/19/15/3710030242a5319979143l.jpg

The HorsesMouth

How can anyone argue the case that GAA has a negative effect on modern Ireland?

First of all, I will agree that there are many members of the GAA that are closeminded and indeed stuck in a timewarp..most of these members coming from a different generation.

However,GAA has been offering virtually free membership of a sporting organisation for over a century now.Hundreds and thousands of boys and girls go to there local club every Saturday morning U8 up to U16. They learn the basics of teamwork,the skills of both hurling and football,the importance of exercise etc. And to boot,they are being coached by people who give up their own time and effort to coach these young kids for nothing but the pleasure of seeing them develop.

Just like playing rugby or soccer or being a member of any team; playing any form of gaa gives people a sense of belonging to a team. No matter if you play junior B hurling of your club or you play for Kilkenny or Tipp etc, this is what players enjoy most. Its not for financial reasons unlike soccer players who are played extortionate amounts.

It is an amateur organisation, the biggest in the country that organises a place for people to engage with each other while playing a sport for nothing.

And you say it is not a good force for modern Ireland.....

Notorious97

superfish wrote: »

so your like a cross breed a dubneck then ? the kind of fella who pulls the ol bails using his bmw m3

Yes, yes why thats it indeed, nice to see some of our talent hasnt emigrated

:rolleyes:

ardmacha

Boards.ie has a broad user base in the age range 18-35, it should reflect opinions in that demographic generally pretty well.

It has an above average predominance of people with no life.

http://file011b.bebo.com/8/large/200...319979143l.jpg

Perhaps you better explain your links.

newmug

j1smithy wrote: »

Boards.ie has a broad user base in the age range 18-35, it should reflect opinions in that demographic generally pretty well.

I disagree. It has a very urban orientated, sometimes downright anti-Irish attitude which comes from certain regular posters, which flavours the whole site.

GLaDOS

I don't like GAA, but sports are good for society so I can't really see how they wouldn't be a good thing?

Pauleta

ardmacha wrote: »

Perhaps you had beter give an example of this

Im on my phone so i cant provide links.Recently a few newspapers reported of a man at a donegal match told to remove an Ireland football jacket by a steward or be ejected.A few years ago a young girl from Monaghan was told she wont play in a local gaelic football final if she continued to play football and most of the counties against rugby and football being played at croke park were from ulster.Thats all from the top of my head

stovelid

Amazing longevity for a sports thread in AH. Maybe it's just the football ones get kicked into touch.

Have personal reasons for disliking the GAA organization but I know good people who organize (at local level), play and enjoy GAA sport and that - like all sport at its pure essence - is admirable.

KeithAFC

They named a tournament not long ago after a PIRA member. So, no, not a force for good.

ascanbe

All in all, it's definitely a 'force for good'. Some aspects/members of the association can be a pain in the hole/antiquated; it's for the most part positve, though.
If you disagree, Mickey will be paying you a visit:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQblXFrzlnk

ascanbe

stovelid wrote: »

Amazing longevity for a sports thread in AH. Maybe it's just the football ones get kicked into touch.

Have personal reasons for detesting elements of the GAA organization but I know good people who organize, play and enjoy GAA sport and that - like all sport at its pure essence - is admirable.

This shouldn't be locked, though; it's about an organisation's effect on society. It just happens to be a sports organisation.

sligopark

GAA - FF - blood sucking c0ck suckers - they force their players and leave them damaged and unlooked after so the rest of their lives are worked through pain, no health care plans (other than through non qualified but GAA related mates physios - [non qualified physios/chiro/osteo]) yet subsidised by FF governments - c_nts using pariush pump politics of old - the GAA upper echolons dont give a f_ck past their cocks.

ardmacha

A few years ago a young girl from Monaghan was told she wont play in a local gaelic football final if she continued to play football

So other sports do not preclude their players from activities where they might get injured etc. Is Brian O'Driscoll is free to have a game of Gaelic when he feels the urge?

and most of the counties against rugby and football being played at croke park were from ulster.

So where were those who argued that the Aviva pitch be made big enough for GAA from?

they force their players and leave them damaged and unlooked after so the rest of their lives are worked through pain

Really. Odd then that so many send their children to GAA. But if what you say is true then there is little to worry about as it will die out in a generation or so.

Nodin

Didn't we have a ban on GAA threads along these lines.....?

mossyc123

newmug wrote: »

I disagree. It has a very urban orientated, sometimes downright anti-Irish attitude which comes from certain regular posters, which flavours the whole site.

+1

A lot of very bitter, anti-Irish coming out from some posters.

Seem to have no pride in where they're from.

Ebbs

ScienceNerd wrote: »

I don't like GAA, but sports are good for society so I can't really see how they wouldn't be a good thing?

Because GAA believes its at war with other sports. Look at the "No Foreign Games" rule and everything else.

I remember playing football for a "prominant" football (Soccer for you people) side in tallaght, a certain GAA club wouldnt allow its members to be part of their club and our "soccer" club. This was during a tense time for both organisations but forcing 12 year olds to quit playing soccer or get off the team was a bit much.

Many other people have seen this, I recall in Kitty Mellons autobiography she stated how her father, a famous actor, was not allowed to attend GAA games due to his support for shamrock rovers.

Its a laughable small minded organisation. Kids grow up playing football, then get to reside the rest of their lives in a clubhouse pub. Pure culture.

aDeener

What GAA clubs do for families the length and breadth of the country is outstanding and rarely ever given credit for. the independent would prefer to run with stories about 'mass brawls' :rolleyes: instead of how clubs come together in particular when there is a death.

what errigal ciaran have done for the harte family cannot be commended enough.

Ebbs

ardmacha wrote: »

So other sports do not preclude their players from activities where they might get injured etc. Is Brian O'Driscoll is free to have a game of Gaelic when he feels the urge?
.

:rolleyes:

Professional Athlete =/= young girl.

j1smithy

mossyc123 wrote: »

+1

A lot of very bitter, anti-Irish coming out from some posters.

Seem to have no pride in where they're from.

Is liking the GAA fundamental to having a sense of Irishness?

I agree there are a lot of self loathing Irish people on this site for some reason though, they seem to think the hills are greener everywhere else.

Novella

I'm a big fan of the GAA in general tbh. I suppose it's something I've been involved in for the majority of my life - mostly as a supporter. My parents have a huge interest in hurling and football and my brother plays at county level in both as well.

I've been at so many matches throughout my life, and I think one of the best feelings ever has to be the true passion - many thousands of people all rooting for one thing, the joint euphoria after a win or the commiseration following a loss.

What makes me love the GAA is how tight-knit of a community it is. My grandad died last October and on the day he died, the club my brother plays for won the county championship. In the captains speech (which we saw on video a few weeks later), he spoke of their delight at the win but said that the day was tainted with sadness due to the passing away of my grand-father. Then instead of the usual hip-hip-hurrah, he offered a minute of silence. Each member of that team called to the house with their sympathies.

It's the little things really. How there can be such battle on the pitch, but the closest of friendships in the pub later. The devotion, the skill, the banter in the stands, the joy and also, the misery. It evokes such an amount of emotion in so many people, so from my perspective, yes, it's a force for good.

aDeener

Ebbs wrote: »

Because GAA believes its at war with other sports. Look at the "No Foreign Games" rule and everything else.

I remember playing football for a "prominant" football (Soccer for you people) side in tallaght, a certain GAA club wouldnt allow its members to be part of their club and our "soccer" club. This was during a tense time for both organisations but forcing 12 year olds to quit playing soccer or get off the team was a bit much.

Many other people have seen this, I recall in Kitty Mellons autobiography she stated how her father, a famous actor, was not allowed to attend GAA games due to his support for shamrock rovers.

Its a laughable small minded organisation. Kids grow up playing football, then get to reside the rest of their lives in a clubhouse pub. Pure culture.

irony is fucking amazing, fair play to ya.

surely you done that on purpose, you couldn't possibly be that idiotic?

stovelid

aDeener wrote: »

What GAA clubs do for families the length and breadth of the country is outstanding and rarely ever given credit for. the independent would prefer to run with stories about 'mass brawls' :rolleyes: instead of how clubs come together in particular when there is a death.
.

That's right.

The thousands of volunteers in all other sports in the country, including "soccer", however, usually roll around laughing when one of their members die and send joke cards to the house.

epgc3fyqirnbsx

Àw christ I dont know why I'm bothering.
It's a f*cking game and it helps keeping fit. Most people I know who play are also playing football (soccer)
None of the people who play give one sh1te about what any of you think anyway
And it will always get money from the govt because it provides recreation. And yes votes aswell but is it not the same thing when a football club or rugby club gets a new clubhouse

KeithAFC

Why do people call it football? The gaelic. They pick it up and throw the ball and also try to get points by using their hands.

Ebbs

aDeener wrote: »

irony is fucking amazing, fair play to ya.

surely you done that on purpose, you couldn't possibly be that idiotic?

Eh?

Any irony would mean applying assumptions that are false.

I assume you are saying that the FAI/FIFA/etc are equally small minded and hence creating blissful irony? Assumptions are awesome.

I agree the FAI/FIFA are equally small minded, I never said they werent. Your post and silly assumptions are mute. Kthx.

DDSL etc are however very well run

me_right_one

j1smithy wrote: »

Is liking the GAA fundamental to having a sense of Irishness?

I agree there are a lot of self loathing Irish people on this site for some reason though, they seem to think the hills are greener everywhere else.

Well you dont have to like it, but you cant deny that the GAA IS a huge part of Irish culture. Usually hating the GAA and hating all things Irish go hand-in-hand on boards.

oppenheimer1

KeithAFC wrote: »

Why do people call it football? The gaelic. They pick it up and throw the ball and also try to get points by using their hands.

Because they use their feet too. Duh...

aDeener

stovelid wrote: »

That's right.

The thousands of volunteers in all other sports in the country, including "soccer", however, usually roll around laughing when one of their members die and send joke cards to the house.

please point out genius, where i said, others do not do that? :rolleyes:

sligopark

j1smithy wrote: »

Is liking the GAA fundamental to having a sense of Irishness?

No I was born on the Island - speak Irish, hold an Irish passport and realise the GAA for what it is - the Grab it All Association - the GAA

aDeener

me_right_one wrote: »

Well you dont have to like it, but you cant deny that the GAA IS a huge part of Irish culture. Usually hating the GAA and hating all things Irish go hand-in-hand on boards.

very true

ascanbe

Ebbs wrote: »

Because GAA believes its at war with other sports. Look at the "No Foreign Games" rule and everything else.

I remember playing football for a "prominant" football (Soccer for you people) side in tallaght, a certain GAA club wouldnt allow its members to be part of their club and our "soccer" club. This was during a tense time for both organisations but forcing 12 year olds to quit playing soccer or get off the team was a bit much.

Many other people have seen this, I recall in Kitty Mellons autobiography she stated how her father, a famous actor, was not allowed to attend GAA games due to his support for shamrock rovers.

Its a laughable small minded organisation. Kids grow up playing football, then get to reside the rest of their lives in a clubhouse pub. Pure culture.

The 'No foreign games' rule no longer exists.
And every sporting organisation is part of the competition to attract players.