Is the gaa (in the north) inherently sectarian?

downcow

I am not from the gaa community (actually a unionist) but I have seen increasing evidence of the gaa being sectarian (in the north).
I took it as red growing up. The Ira colour party changing uniforms each Easter parade in my local gaa club. My local club also hosting the wolf tonnes and their ira chants etc.
I suppose I accepted almost every group was sucked into the sectarian devide during the troubles and gave them a by ball.
But it seems to be increasing in 2020 while everyone else is moving on. eg
We had the Tyrone senior team shouting IRA at a band of young Protestant girls from their team coach.
We had a all ireland winning down player cautioned for shouting ira at Protestants in a local seaside resort.
And I have just viewed a video of the Armagh ladies team all chanting oh ah up the ra

What is going on. If a loyalist band, never mind a soccer team, was chanting U U UVF there would rightly be uproar.

Why is there such extreme levels of sectarianism in the gaa? Remember they are chanting about a group that waged a sectarian war on their neighbours.

McMurphy

The GAA isn't a sectarian organisation, what you're describing is some members partaking in stupidity, but some members do not make an organisation.

Also, if I recall correctly op, you're a great man for the orange order, the band parades, the 11th night bonfire's etc etc.

The orange order is the epitome of sectarianism.

/Thread

I am not from the gaa community (actually a unionist)

Which colours the rest of your post. You might deny it, but that prejudices your argument to a certain extent. When I see you conflating the GAA with "extreme" sectarianism I'm more than a little suspicious. Ultimately there are a minority of eejits who act the maggot, but they in no way represent the civilised majority. Anyone shouting "up the RA" at these gatherings is a fully fledged imbecile, however I wouldn't be overly hasty in tarring the GAA with the sectarian brush.

downcow

McMurphy wrote: »

The GAA isn't a sectarian organisation, what you're describing is some members partaking in stupidity, but some members do not make an organisation.

Also, if I recall correctly op, you're a great man for the orange order, the band parades, the 11th night bonfire's etc etc.

The orange order is the epitome of sectarianism.

/Thread

I don’t disagree that the orange order is sectarian and some of the behaviour at some of the 11th night bonfires is sectarian but I think few would disagree with that.
I just gave a few examples of gaa stuff that suggests it’s sectarian. I could go on about the hunger strike jerseys etc.
I have only been to two gaa games and at one of them ( a Tyrone country game) they were collecting at the gate for the Columbian 3 This would never happen at a soccer match afaik

downcow

[Deleted User] wrote: »

I am not from the gaa community (actually a unionist)

Which colours the rest of your post. You might deny it, but that prejudices your argument to a certain extent. When I see you conflating the GAA with "extreme" sectarianism I'm more than a little suspicious. Ultimately there are a minority of eejits who act the maggot, but they in no way represent the civilised majority. Anyone shouting "up the RA" at these gatherings is a fully fledged imbecile, however I wouldn't be overly hasty in tarring the GAA with the sectarian brush.

Will the problem is that just this year both the Tyrone senior team and the Armagh ladies are videotaped chanting pro Ira stuff. So mind boggles at how much does not end up on video.
These are not a few idiots

riffmongous

What ever happened to Keith? Did he get banned or closed his account? Say what you like about him but he was a mainstay of these kind of threads for years

The July 12th marchers are sectarian supremacists. The GAA not so much.

ceegee

downcow wrote: »

I don’t disagree that the orange order is sectarian and some of the behaviour at some of the 11th night bonfires is sectarian but I think few would disagree with that.
I just gave a few examples of gaa stuff that suggests it’s sectarian. I could go on about the hunger strike jerseys etc.
I have only been to two gaa games and at one of them ( a Tyrone country game) they were collecting at the gate for the Columbian 3 This would never happen at a soccer match afaik

Any thoughts on Linfield's away kit?

downcow

[Deleted User] wrote: »

The July 12th marchers are sectarian supremacists.

Why do you guys always equate the gaa with the orange order

Donald Trump

How are you expecting us to understand, never mind explain, the actions of Nordies?



Is the GAA inherently sectarian? No, I wouldn't say so.
Are some of it's members up North sectarian? Probably, yeah

I wouldn't say it is exactly unique now either
Is FIFA sectarian? No, I wouldn't say so.
Are some of its members up North sectarian? Probably, yeah

Or in general:
Is <organisation> inherently sectarian? No, I wouldn't say so.
Are some of its members up North sectarian? Probably, yeah

downcow

Donald Trump wrote: »

How are you expecting us to understand, never mind explain, the actions of Nordies?



Is the GAA inherently sectarian? No, I wouldn't say so.
Are some of it's members up North sectarian? Probably, yeah

I wouldn't say it is exactly unique now either
Is FIFA sectarian? No, I wouldn't say so.
Are some of its members up North sectarian? Probably, yeah

Or in general:
Is <organisation> inherently sectarian?
Are some of its members up North sectarian? Probably, yeah

Lol. Great post. And closer to the truth than I’d like to admit

Mind you I could be wrong but I don’t think a senior soccer team on any side of the devide has ever been guilty of paramilitary chants. We have two senior gaa teams in a matter of months.
There is something different

Kermit.de.frog

A unionist referring to the 6 counties as "the north" is progress OP.

enricoh

I remember we played northern ireland up in Windsor park about 20 years ago n their wasn't a sniff of bigotry from the northern fans!
The nordies manager billy bingham was ahead of his time n extended the hand of friendship to us up there! Definitely a catholic gaa thing only op!

downcow

enricoh wrote: »

I remember we played northern ireland up in Windsor park about 20 years ago n their wasn't a sniff of bigotry from the northern fans!
The nordies manager billy bingham was ahead of his time n extended the hand of friendship to us up there! Definitely a catholic gaa thing only op!

Can you imagine the ni team gathering in the changing rooms afterwards to chant ‘the u the u the Uvf’. What would you have thought? Honestly?
And that was last century. We are talking 2020

onrail

I once heard it said that the GAA is ‘the orange order for catholics’

While a bit tongue in cheek, it’s closer to the truth in the 6 counties than not.

I don’t think exclusion is inherently an aim of the GAA, it’s just the way things have developed within the membership over time

downcow

downcow wrote: »

Why do you guys always equate the gaa with the orange order

Why dont you clean up the utter bollocks in your own community before complaining about the other side.

dobman88

downcow wrote: »

I am not from the gaa community (actually a unionist) but I have seen increasing evidence of the gaa being sectarian (in the north).
I took it as red growing up. The Ira colour party changing uniforms each Easter parade in my local gaa club. My local club also hosting the wolf tonnes and their ira chants etc.
I suppose I accepted almost every group was sucked into the sectarian devide during the troubles and gave them a by ball.
But it seems to be increasing in 2020 while everyone else is moving on. eg
We had the Tyrone senior team shouting IRA at a band of young Protestant girls from their team coach.
We had a all ireland winning down player cautioned for shouting ira at Protestants in a local seaside resort.
And I have just viewed a video of the Armagh ladies team all chanting oh ah up the ra

What is going on. If a loyalist band, never mind a soccer team, was chanting U U UVF there would rightly be uproar.

Why is there such extreme levels of sectarianism in the gaa? Remember they are chanting about a group that waged a sectarian war on their neighbours.

Any links to the Tyrone senior team shouting abuse at kids? First I've heard of it and I would have expected it to be big news. I remember it made headlines when they sang a Republican song on a bus so I'd expect verbally abusing kids to definitely make news

Wheres the video of the Armagh team? Cant find that either.

One man saying something sounds plausible, as it's just one person being a moron but again I cant find a link if you could enlighten me. Thanks.

downcow

dobman88 wrote: »

Any links to the Tyrone senior team shouting abuse at kids? First I've heard of it and I would have expected it to be big news. I remember it made headlines when they sang a Republican song on a bus so I'd expect verbally abusing kids to definitely make news

Wheres the video of the Armagh team? Cant find that either.

One man saying something sounds plausible, as it's just one person being a moron but again I cant find a link if you could enlighten me. Thanks.

https://politics.ie/threads/gaa-the-mask-slips-yet-again.272237/

downcow

dobman88 wrote: »

Any links to the Tyrone senior team shouting abuse at kids? First I've heard of it and I would have expected it to be big news. I remember it made headlines when they sang a Republican song on a bus so I'd expect verbally abusing kids to definitely make news

Wheres the video of the Armagh team? Cant find that either.

One man saying something sounds plausible, as it's just one person being a moron but again I cant find a link if you could enlighten me. Thanks.

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.bbc.com/news/amp/uk-northern-ireland-55223639

dobman88

downcow wrote: »

https://politics.ie/threads/gaa-the-mask-slips-yet-again.272237/

This just references the song I already mentioned. Have you got an actual source besides an anonymous post on an open forum. Also that post says, apparently someone can be heard saying something. Which again, would be one moronic individual, a far cry from a senior gaa team shouting at young girls as you mentioned

dobman88

downcow wrote: »

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.bbc.com/news/amp/uk-northern-ireland-55223639

That's indefensible stupidity and I'd expect some kind of action taken by the county board and camogie association. No place for that carry on

downcow

dobman88 wrote: »

That's indefensible stupidity and I'd expect some kind of action taken by the county board and camogie association. No place for that carry on

Thanks dobman I appreciate your response. Much more effective in building my confidence in the gaa than some of the denial going on from other posters

downcow

dobman88 wrote: »

This just references the song I already mentioned. Have you got an actual source besides an anonymous post on an open forum. Also that post says, apparently someone can be heard saying something. Which again, would be one moronic individual, a far cry from a senior gaa team shouting at young girls as you mentioned

https://www.tyronecourier.co.uk/news/2019/07/09/gallery/tyrone-gaa-apology-over-aughnacloy-bus-chant-5289/

dobman88

downcow wrote: »

https://www.tyronecourier.co.uk/news/2019/07/09/gallery/tyrone-gaa-apology-over-aughnacloy-bus-chant-5289/

Yeah, the song again and one individual who may have shouted something. Think you'd agree you overstated it when you said the Tyrone gaa senior team were shouting at young girls. It's one moron.

I'm not defending it, theres absolutely no place for it in the GAA where the emphasis is on inclusion and one person shouting is one too many but you dont need to partake in hyperbole on the other end either.

vicwatson

Not sure ladies football has anything to do with the GAA anyway

Conall Cernach

Some players appear to be shouting: "Ooh ah, up the Ra".

Armagh Camogie should just release a statement saying that their players were of course referring to the IRA of the Tan War period which we all know is ok to sing about.

artanevilla

downcow wrote: »

Can you imagine the ni team gathering in the changing rooms afterwards to chant ‘the u the u the Uvf’.

Yes.

dd973

https://twitter.com/eastbelfastgaa?lang=en

dobman88

vicwatson wrote: »

Not sure ladies football has anything to do with the GAA anyway

Correct. GAA and LGFA (Ladies Gaelic Football Association) are 2 separate organisations. But the video refers to the Armagh camogie team and the Camogie is also a separate organisation, nothing to do with the GAA.

Still no place for any sectarianism in any association.

John Doe1

I'm of an east Donegal protestant background (born in 89 and grew up after the GF agreement) and played Gaelic growing up and support the Donegal team. I was far from the only of a similar background in my area either.

I can still remember after going to watch my very first Donegal game when i was 8/9 having our car pelted by my dear co-religionists in Castlederg as we went home.


This an an utterly pointless 'Them'uns' post.

Duckworth_Luas

enricoh wrote: »

I remember we played northern ireland up in Windsor park about 20 years ago n their wasn't a sniff of bigotry from the northern fans!
The nordies manager billy bingham was ahead of his time n extended the hand of friendship to us up there! Definitely a catholic gaa thing only op!

It was actually all of 27 years ago when the IFA anti-sectarianism jamboree took place in Windsor Park. Despite having nothing to play for the Northern fans can only be commended for their words of encouragement for the Republic's players as they sought to qualify for USA 94.

ILoveYourVibes

NOT AT ALL.

If you think the GAA is INHERENTLY sectarian ..imo YOU are sectarian.

The ORANGE ORDER is an example of an inherently sectarian organization OP. You have the right join the GAA as a protestant.

I think you have a weird warped perception tbh OP.

downcow

ILoveYourVibes wrote: »

NOT AT ALL.

If you think the GAA is INHERENTLY sectarian ..imo YOU are sectarian.

The ORANGE ORDER is an example of an inherently sectarian organization OP. You have the right join the GAA as a protestant.

I think you have a weird warped perception tbh OP.

Well using your theory then, churches, the Oo, religious orders, etc are all sectarian while the UDR, Ira, gaa, loyalists bands are not sectarian as they allow members from all faiths.
Seems nonsense to me

RoversCeltic

Donald Trump wrote: »

How are you expecting us to understand, never mind explain, the actions of Nordies?



Is the GAA inherently sectarian? No, I wouldn't say so.
Are some of it's members up North sectarian? Probably, yeah

I wouldn't say it is exactly unique now either
Is FIFA sectarian? No, I wouldn't say so.
Are some of its members up North sectarian? Probably, yeah

Or in general:
Is <organisation> inherently sectarian? No, I wouldn't say so.
Are some of its members up North sectarian? Probably, yeah

FIFA doesnt have rules & aims that are political & xenophobic

El Tarangu

Deleted User wrote: »

I am not from the gaa community (actually a unionist)

Which colours the rest of your post. You might deny it, but that prejudices your argument to a certain extent. When I see you conflating the GAA with "extreme" sectarianism I'm more than a little suspicious. Ultimately there are a minority of eejits who act the maggot, but they in no way represent the civilised majority. Anyone shouting "up the RA" at these gatherings is a fully fledged imbecile, however I wouldn't be overly hasty in tarring the GAA with the sectarian brush.

I am not a unionist, and while I no longer play GAA, I certainly used to, and I can understand why, when someone from the unionist background sees GAA trophies and GAA grounds being named after dead IRA bombers, that they might feel feel somewhat excluded by the organisation.

OP - the thing is that is that the county boards has a large degree of autonomy in some areas, and they can (perhaps justifiably) argue that these things like naming trophies after IRA bombers is reflective of the views of their members.

Donald Trump

RoversCeltic wrote: »

FIFA doesnt have rules & aims that are political & xenophobic

So what? I never said it did.

Bonniedog

RoversCeltic wrote: »

FIFA doesnt have rules & aims that are political & xenophobic

A bit ironic coming from a supporter of two clubs whose ultras or whatever they call themselves try to make far leftism a criteria for supporting them. At least Celtic have sufficiently large of a fan base to just ignore them. rovers, not so much.

If jealous FAI supporters and unionists don't like the GAA, well then there is no one forcing them to. No sane GAA person is obsessed with the squalid affairs of either of the offshoots here of the English FA.

RoversCeltic

Bonniedog wrote: »

A bit ironic coming from a supporter of two clubs whose ultras or whatever they call themselves try to make far leftism a criteria for supporting them. At least Celtic have sufficiently large of a fan base to just ignore them. rovers, not so much.

no idea what that means but the GAA has a stated goal of creating a United Ireland

Sports & Politics do not mix yet the GAA has a goal that excludes a significant chunk of people on this island

Bonniedog

Rovers and bohs supporters - when not battering one another on the streets before matches - have adopted all the trappings of far leftism - PLO flags, "Anti fascist" stuff, etc.

That's way more in your face political than anything to see at any GAA match.

The GAA was founded as a nationalist cultural organisation just as was Conradh na Gaeilige, Ceomhltas etc. Hardly a secret.

RoversCeltic

Bonniedog wrote: »

Rovers and bohs supporters - when not battering one another on the streets before matches - have adopted all the trappings of far leftism - PLO flags, "Anti fascist" stuff, etc.

That's way more in your face political than anything to see at any GAA match.

The GAA was founded as a nationalist cultural organisation just as was Conradh na Gaeilige, Ceomhltas etc. Hardly a secret.

The GAA has as one of its aim is to promote a United Ireland & is not a normal sporting organisation

Ireland2020

downcow wrote: »

Lol. Great post. And closer to the truth than I’d like to admit

Mind you I could be wrong but I don’t think a senior soccer team on any side of the devide has ever been guilty of paramilitary chants. We have two senior gaa teams in a matter of months.
There is something different

You must have missed the Dundalk V Linfield games last year.

https://www.google.com/search?q=linfield+paratrooper+flag&safe=strict&rlz=1C1GCEJ_en&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=AILx5eyrspmuVM%252CO7783kuO7HRhmM%252C_&vet=1&usg=AI4_-kQBGDaP9xfIjVKRRJw9L8Qo_9TjvA&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjs2aWWyb7tAhViUBUIHeR6DWYQ9QF6BAgOEAE#imgrc=AILx5eyrspmuVM

https://www.the42.ie/unite-the-union-champions-cup-dundalk-linfield-vinny-perth-4887831-Nov2019/

Bonniedog

RoversCeltic wrote: »

The GAA has as one of its aim is to promote a United Ireland & is not a normal sporting organisation

Ireland is not a normal country! GAA reflects the cultural revolution that stopped us becoming an offshore Macclesfield as some of the Dublin left would have liked. Werkers unity and all that boll0x.

Anyway, you have avoided the question as to why the GAA ought to be held to some non political criteria when Bohs and Rovers are like the Irish St. Pauli shoving the ultra leftism of a small minority onto everyone who supports the teams?

I know a lifelong Rovers supporter from Rathgar who is died in wool blueshirt!

downcow

Ireland2020 wrote: »

You must have missed the Dundalk V Linfield games last year.

https://www.google.com/search?q=linfield+paratrooper+flag&safe=strict&rlz=1C1GCEJ_en&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=AILx5eyrspmuVM%252CO7783kuO7HRhmM%252C_&vet=1&usg=AI4_-kQBGDaP9xfIjVKRRJw9L8Qo_9TjvA&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjs2aWWyb7tAhViUBUIHeR6DWYQ9QF6BAgOEAE#imgrc=AILx5eyrspmuVM

https://www.the42.ie/unite-the-union-champions-cup-dundalk-linfield-vinny-perth-4887831-Nov2019/

No comparison whatsoever. I said soccer teams. You are identifying chanting by supporters.

V8 Interceptor

downcow wrote: »

I am not from the gaa community (actually a unionist).

You're an Ulster unionist? Doubt that.

Donald Trump

RoversCeltic wrote: »

The GAA has as one of its aim is to promote a United Ireland & is not a normal sporting organisation

Which rule number is that? Or is it perhaps published on it's mission statement?


Maybe you think that it has that aim because it is an All-Ireland body?



Like the similar organisations the IRFU and Cricket Ireland?

Dyr

The North is inherently sectarian. The sooner we get them into some sort of 32 county set up the sooner they'll leave that nonsense behind

Rovers and bohs supporters - when not battering one another on the streets before matches - have adopted all the trappings of far leftism - PLO flags, "Anti fascist" stuff, etc.

Given that the FAI was run like some sort of African kleptocracy its not suprising that it was seen as an ideal home the loonie left St Pauli eejits. Government should have cut the whole lot loose and let them start from scratch with a mountain of debt

Coillte_Bhoy

It's 'Ooh Ah Up Armagh' ffs, a non story OP, sorry to disappoint

downcow

V8 Interceptor wrote: »

You're an Ulster unionist? Doubt that.

Yeah, well spotted. That is sort of the issue

downcow

Coillte_Bhoy wrote: »

It's 'Ooh Ah Up Armagh' ffs, a non story OP, sorry to disappoint

You are so so blinkered. Have you listened to the video.
It is definitely not ‘up Armagh’.

V8 Interceptor

downcow wrote: »

Yeah, well spotted. That is sort of the issue

Why did you lie in your OP Sir?

downcow

V8 Interceptor wrote: »

Why did you lie in your OP Sir?

I’m not known for my lies. Please do tell me where I lied. A fairly serious accusation.