Is the GAA a force for good in modern Ireland?

j1smithy · 22-01-2011 12:33AM #1

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 · 22-01-2011 12:35AM

And Fianna Fail.

superfish · 22-01-2011 12:39AM

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 · 22-01-2011 12:40AM

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

Nodin · 22-01-2011 12:41AM

stovelid wrote: »

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

'it's a physical game..'

ardmacha · 22-01-2011 12:43AM

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 · 22-01-2011 12:43AM

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 · 22-01-2011 12:43AM

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

squod · 22-01-2011 12:43AM

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

Notorious97 · 22-01-2011 12:44AM

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 · 22-01-2011 12:44AM

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 · 22-01-2011 12:45AM

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 · 22-01-2011 12:45AM

squod wrote: »

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

With no "sticks or balls"

ardmacha · 22-01-2011 12:46AM

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 · 22-01-2011 12:46AM

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 · 22-01-2011 12:47AM

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 · 22-01-2011 12:47AM

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 · 22-01-2011 12:47AM

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

superfish · 22-01-2011 12:48AM

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 · 22-01-2011 12:49AM

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 · 22-01-2011 12:50AM

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 · 22-01-2011 12:51AM

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 · 22-01-2011 12:52AM

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 · 22-01-2011 12:53AM

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 · 22-01-2011 12:53AM

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 · 22-01-2011 12:54AM

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 · 22-01-2011 12:54AM

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 · 22-01-2011 12:54AM

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 · 22-01-2011 12:54AM

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

ascanbe · 22-01-2011 12:57AM

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 · 22-01-2011 12:59AM

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.

Is the GAA a force for good in modern Ireland?

Is the GAA a force for good in modern Ireland? 40 votes

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