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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?

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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.

stovelid

me_right_one wrote: »

Usually hating the GAA and hating all things Irish go hand-in-hand on boards.

Probably dirty prods. They're everywhere these days.

aDeener

Ebbs wrote: »

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

clearly you did mean it so.

you go on about the gaa being narrow minded.... you should read back over what you wrote, oh enlightened one

ascanbe

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.

Whether you're right or wrong, you should argue the issue on its merits; no need to try and pre-emptively label those who may disagree with you.

aDeener

oppenheimer1 wrote: »

Because they use their feet too. Duh...

talking to a wall there oppenheimer.

using his 'logic' association football shouldnt be called football as heading the ball is a major part of the game :rolleyes:

KeithAFC

aDeener wrote: »

talking to a wall there oppenheimer.

using his 'logic' association football shouldnt be called football as heading the ball is a major part of the game :rolleyes:

Gaelic takes it to the extreme, to be fair.

lawhec

The GAA is at heart a very democratic organisation and fairly well decentralised, however this can often cause headaches and see a significant political monopolisation in key areas (not party politics, but rather idealogical areas as to how the units should be run). It has its share of bad eggs and incidents but every fragment of society suffers from this, no one is an angel or squeaky clean. As to wherever it is a "force for good", I think that is a bit of a strong phrase to use but I can see why. I would say that in many areas, it provides a good community bond with many local activities held on GAA vested grounds acting as a hub. This is an area other sports organisations struggle except in some sporadic pockets. Different attitudes will lead to different outlooks among its members so that is to be expected.

mossyc123

j1smithy wrote: »

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

Of course not.

It is fairly fundamental to my own sense of Irishness though.

It's just what a lot of people are brought up with.

Croke Park on a big Championship Sunday are some of my earliest memories.

Have a mate from College for who going to Ireland Soccer internationals was his thing as a kid and he's continued with it.

Have been to a few myself but doesn't do the same for me as Inter-County (especially when were playing the Dubs!)

Ironically, i'm muck at GAA myself but not a bad soccer player.

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.

They can feck off so we don't have to listen to they're whinging as far as im concerned.

aDeener

KeithAFC wrote: »

Gaelic takes it to the extreme, to be fair.

are you opposed to american football being so called too yeah? :rolleyes:

KeithAFC

aDeener wrote: »

are you opposed to american football being so called too yeah? :rolleyes:

Yep.

Ebbs

ascanbe wrote: »

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

Really? No foreign sports playing on pitches was only lifted on croke park, IIRC. It doesnt extend to any other pitch.

12 year olds are not a market to win over competitively, they should be allowed to choose what they want to play not given ultimatums. Clearly "No Foreign Games" is not gone.

aDeener wrote: »

clearly you did mean it so.

you go on about the gaa being narrow minded.... you should read back over what you wrote, oh enlightened one

Yes, I did, well done.

Everything was factual till the last paragraph, it wasnt even opinionated. The last paragraph which you somehow thought was ironic was opinionated. Just because you believe someone/thing is small minded does not mean you are. Its merely an opinion.