Will my background prohibit me from embracing the Gaelic games?

AontroimGAA

Dia dhaoibh,

Before I ask my question, I'll explain a little bit about my background/beliefs. I was born into a vaguely Unionist/Protestant family in Antrim, and had no strong opinions on my nationality or the partition of Ireland until my teens, when I began to study our island's history. Around the same time, I decided that I no longer believed in any faith and became an atheist; I had not been initiated into either the Protestant or Catholic churches to begin with, my parents having opted to leave the choice in my hands. As I learned more about Irish history, I began to support the non-violent reunification of Ireland (SDLP) and the promotion of traditional Irish culture through the Irish language and Gaelic games. I hold an Irish passport, am learning to speak the Irish language and consider myself Irish, rather than British - none of which, of course, suggests that I hate British citizens or seek to promote sectarianism (I'm not that sure I regard anyone born on the island as British anyway, but that is another story).

My question, therefore, is this:

Would I, despite my citizenship, political beliefs and love of Irish culture, be ostracised or abused because of my background if I decided to join a GAA club?

Secondly, would GAA members have a problem with those who do not share my beliefs, i.e. Unionists, playing the Gaelic games?

I know this has been a topic of some debate within the organisation, and I thought I'd throw the question out there.

Go raibh maith agat,

Andy

Fluffybums

I really hope that the reply to your question is no.

PCPhoto

all that should matter is that you can play the game and contribute to the team .... your religion/beliefs/etc are immaterial.

Most clubs dont care and dont know their players beliefs/past etc .... understandably where you are there may be some who will try ti use it against you ...or some who will single you out - but think of it this way .... why is a player generally singled out...because the opposition fear them !!

mikemac

I'm sure you'd be made feel welcome

UpTheSlashers

Do you mean in your local area or in general? Our local club (In Tipperary) has Protestans, lads with English parents, Muslims and Polish amongst it's members. The GAA isnt only for ginger farmers who go to mass every sunday.

Wolfe Tone

No, and anyone who acts the dick about it needs a good punch

AontroimGAA

Thanks for the replies, lads.

I was thinking more in my local area, around Antrim. I'm living away from Ireland at the moment anyway, but this is something I have been pondering lately. Growing up in the North, I have never been sure to what extent citizens of the Republic consider a citizen of the six counties to be legitimately "Irish", even if they claim to be so - I just wondered how this filtered through into organisations like the GAA.

PCPhoto

a person is a person...is a person ... be they from poland, northern Ireland, Wales, scotland, England, Ireland, Lithuania etc etc ... you get the picture.

only narrow minded idiots have an issue with people that are different to them - ignorance is rife amongst them and sometimes its better to let your skills show on the pitch instead of letting them get to you.

Wolfe Tone

The GAA are a 32 county org.

c_man

AontroimGAA wrote: »

My question, therefore, is this:

Would I, despite my citizenship, political beliefs and love of Irish culture, be ostracised or abused because of my background if I decided to join a GAA club?

Secondly, would GAA members have a problem with those who do not share my beliefs, i.e. Unionists, playing the Gaelic games?

No and no. All sorts are involved in the GAA throughout the island.



Get yourself an Antrim jersey, wear it with pride and you'll be fine

ballsymchugh

there was a hurler from fermanagh that got abused a few years ago and he moved to the USA and played over there.
i played hurling in london, and one of the best players who i marked was a young local fella. he ran rings around me. it doesn't matter a toss where you're from or what your background is. it's no one else's business.

AontroimGAA

c_man wrote: »

Get yourself an Antrim jersey, wear it with pride and you'll be fine

It's been done, haha.

WHIP IT!

AontroimGAA wrote: »

Dia dhaoibh,

Before I ask my question, I'll explain a little bit about my background/beliefs. I was born into a vaguely Unionist/Protestant family in Antrim, and had no strong opinions on my nationality or the partition of Ireland until my teens, when I began to study our island's history. Around the same time, I decided that I no longer believed in any faith and became an atheist; I had not been initiated into either the Protestant or Catholic churches to begin with, my parents having opted to leave the choice in my hands. As I learned more about Irish history, I began to support the non-violent reunification of Ireland (SDLP) and the promotion of traditional Irish culture through the Irish language and Gaelic games. I hold an Irish passport, am learning to speak the Irish language and consider myself Irish, rather than British - none of which, of course, suggests that I hate British citizens or seek to promote sectarianism (I'm not that sure I regard anyone born on the island as British anyway, but that is another story).

My question, therefore, is this:

Would I, despite my citizenship, political beliefs and love of Irish culture, be ostracised or abused because of my background if I decided to join a GAA club?

Secondly, would GAA members have a problem with those who do not share my beliefs, i.e. Unionists, playing the Gaelic games?

I know this has been a topic of some debate within the organisation, and I thought I'd throw the question out there.

Go raibh maith agat,

Andy

I haven't read through all the replies Andy but I presume they're all saying the same as me - embrace Gaelic games and enjoy them. It's a wonderful organisation to be a part of. All the best.... oh, and if by any chance you can take frees - would you consider transferring to a Dublin club??

pwd

Protestants play GAA. I think the president of the GAA was protestant a while ago. I'm not aware of any problems based on religion.

Unionists are another matter entirely [a lot of posters seem to be equating protestant with unionist on this thead, which is total horsesh!t tbh]. I've no idea how they would be received; but I can't really imagine unionists wanting to play GAA in the first place tbh.

GAAman

People here will say no but the sad truth is that while you will more then likely not get any flack there are arséholes everywhere and it is very possible that they will hone in on you.

Should you let this stop you? Not in the slightest! Gaelic games are all inclusive from all walks of life and that is not gonna change

As for the wearing the antrim jersey with pride.................. :P

WHIP IT!

pwd wrote: »

Protestants play GAA. I think the president of the GAA was protestant a while ago. I'm not aware of any problems based on religion.

Unionists are another matter entirely [a lot of posters seem to be equating protestant with unionist on this thead, which is total horsesh!t tbh]. I've no idea how they would be received; but I can't really imagine unionists wanting to play GAA in the first place tbh.

No, what people are (rightly) doing is disassociating politics/religion with playing sport.

charlemont

If you feel Irish in your heart then go for it, Im sure you will find lots of people there who thought the same too but you are from Antrim so your Irish anyway, only a small minded bigot would not want you playing GAA ...

ShamoBuc

Drive on fella - you'll be fine, enjoy!

pwd

WHIP IT! wrote: »

No, what people are (rightly) doing is disassociating politics/religion with playing sport.

Either posts have been deleted since I typed that, or I was in laa-laa land when I did. I thought there were posts using the terms unionist and protestant interchangeably.

rpurfield

cant see it making a difference myself but i suppose maybe things are different up north giving recent history.it wont be long till you see young lads on county teams whos parents werent born in ireland but came here to live due to whatever situation at home so i cant see how youll have a problem

Jake93

As a minor footballer, I feel that not only should someones ethnicity stop them from joining a team, I would ask all foriegn nationals to EMBRACE the game. Ive played gaa for over 13 years (started at nursery level, I'm no 17) And have played against maybe, 5 foreign nationals. It would a, get rid of any barriers between foreign people and Irish people.

Antisocialiser

Hey AontroimGAA, i wouldnt think it would be too much of a problem. Antrim Town seniors are in a lower league and would probably welcome anyone given that they are in a rebuilding phase.

Honestly if a new guy came and joined my club he would be judged first and foremost on his ability and would receive a warm welcome! Dont expect not to get a slagging for being a prod though (in good spirits ofc)

hinault

As others have said no one cares what your background is when you join the GAA.

If I were you I'd be more concerned about not making a mistake on the pitch:D

Flukey

The extremes on each side of the troubles may have a problem with you participating in the GAA, but as you can see in this thread the vast majority of people would have no problem with it whatsoever. If you, or anyone, wants to participate in the GAA or just watch matches, then I am all for it. There is a thread in the forum from around the time of last year's All-Ireland Football Final about this that might be of interest to you:

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

I think for the good of the games we need more people to participate and break this stereotype that the GAA is only for Irish Fenian Catholics. In the long run it could make the games more competitive between all counties if people of all cultures, nationalities and religions embrace the games.