“Nothing is as it seems in rugby any more.”
If the opening games of the 6 Nations Tournament are anything to go by it’s going to be an eventful and close series. The BBC report correctly sums up Ireland’s win over Italy at Croke Park, “Ireland labour to opening win” – the ghosts of the World Cup have clearly not been fully exorcised. Ireland twelfth straight win over Italy, “perhaps the least satisfying”. The Guardian’s Kevin Mitchell gives an overview of the scene. Meanwhile The Ospreys Wales triumphed over England at Twickenham for the first time in 20 years in a remarkable second half comeback. Eddie Butler is worth reading as always. Scotland face France today at Murrayfield, kick-off 3.00pm. [All games will be available on the BBC i Player here] Update France “[send] out a warning to the rest of the Six Nations.” Scotland 6 France 27
CC
I would imagine they consider themselves to be in the 9 county version.
So, do both exist? Why have they the same name? Who decided?
However, tht does not mean that NI cannot also be called Ulster.
Well, it might be a touch confusing.
NI is called by lots of organisations
Correct. It’s called NI by lots of organisations. not that many refer to it as “Ulster”.
and more importantly the people who live there.
No, by about 55% of the people that lives there. In fact, if Alliance types don’t do it, under that. Lots of people call it “the North” or “the occupied 6 counties”. Are they as valid?
We live in a world where Ulster means different things to different people. Similarly with Derry/Londonderry/Doire. They’re just views. None is moe correct than any other. That is all I was highlighting. Jumping on the use of “Ulster” for NI isn’t clever nor is it correct.
No, the 9 county version actually has the advantage of being, you know, factually correct. The are and never have held the official title of Ulster. Unionists tried to rename the state to it AFAIK, but failed.
It might help you to pretend you didn’t sell out the Prods of Cavan, Monaghan and Donegal to get a more uber Prod state, but it happened. Deal with it.
“Then play the Queen at Croke and Lansdowne.”
Sure Willowfield, which song will it be then, Bohemian Rhapsody, I Want To Break Free, Another One Bites The Dust, Under Pressure, You Are My Best Friend, We are the Champions…..?
“Whereas the Tricolor and SS have strong associations with the Ra.”
Which ‘Ra’ are you referring to here?
“Are you talking about something else?”
No. Here are 3 reasons:
1. AnaB/Tricolour banned by British Gov. (Imagine the carry-on of Lord Laird if the UJ was banned in the Republic!)
2. A lot of unrest about blatent discrimination against catholics in particular as regards housing. Nationalist MP was imprisoned for protesting.
3. British Army activity in Rhodesia which did not inspire anyone’s respect.
Note – Sport has often been used by high minded individuals in this way.
Interesting thing was apparently De Valera sent a message to them to actually stand for GSTQ.
Reason why Lansdowne was used – quite simply it is bigger and easier access for all rugby supporters.
Hi Kensei,
“So, do both exist? Why have they the same name? Who decided?”
Ireland at times means the Republic. Whereas at other times it means the whole island. They both exist. They both have the same name and I don’t know who decided.
“Well, it might be a touch confusing.”
Like Ireland?
“No, the 9 county version actually has the advantage of being, you know, factually correct.”
So which Ireland is the factually correct one then? Just because you can’t cope with the same name for 2 things doesn’t mean it’s incorrect. It just says more about you.
“Correct. It’s called NI by lots of organisations. not that many refer to it as “Ulster”.
I think you realise I left out Ulster in my sentence. Loads of organisations call it Ulster – Ulsterbus, the Ulster Museum, Ulster Transport Museum, Ulster Unionist Party, United Ulster Unionists, The Conservative and Ulster Unionist Party, Ulster TV, The Ulster Hospital, The Ulster Hall, the Ulster Arms, Royal Ulster Constabulary Association, Ulster Squash league. I could go on but it’s becoming tedious.
I don’t think the other 3 counties are even thinking of leaving the IRFU. It would only be those counties in NI leaving. The team would still be called Ulster. The term Ulster is ambiguous. There are many interpretations of what it means. To jump on one interpretation as wrong is in itself wrong.
I missed this reply… unlike the GAA, the Ulster Branch isn’t subdivided and organised by a county structure so there isn’t the mechanism for bits of the province to decide if they would prefer to stay with the IRFU or split and pledge their allegiance to a hypothetical NIRFU.
But if there was vote per county, how small would the NIRFU territory need to be before you would stop calling it Ulster? If all the counties except Antrim decided that they would prefer to stay with the IRFU, would you still say that Antrim is Ulster? If the NIRFU’s only playing facilities was Lord Laird’s backyard, would you still say that represented Ulster?
You may think that the term “Ulster” is ambiguous, but the trademark of “Ulster Rugby” isn’t ambiguous and it is registered and owned by the IRFU so you wouldn’t be able to use it without their permission anyway…
Hi JaneyMac,
“Which ‘Ra’ are you referring to here?”
The 1916 version.
“Here are 3 reasons”
None of them matter a f*ck. It wasn’t only GSTQ that the IRFU refused to play at Lansdowne. It was every anthem of every visiting team. What did they do wrong then, now that your on a roll?
Hi Michael,
If you’d followed earlier posts you’d know that indeed in the past Ulster has been only Antrim and Down.
“You may think that the term “Ulster” is ambiguous, but the trademark of “Ulster Rugby” isn’t ambiguous and it is registered and owned by the IRFU so you wouldn’t be able to use it without their permission anyway…”
If you saw Ulster scrawled on a wall but didn’t know whether you were in a loyalist or nationalist area how would you know which one they’re writing about? Of course it’s ambiguous, ffs. Ulster also part own the IRFU. So, in any breakaway things would need to be sorted. However, even if they weren’t how hard would it be to come up with a new name? Whatabout Rugby Ulster? Hardly a major roadblock is it?
“Ireland at times means the Republic. Whereas at other times it means the whole island. They both exist. They both have the same name and I don’t know who decided.”
And both are factually correct. You will note the official name of the state to the South is given in the Constitution as “Ireland”. From a geographic sense, the island is also called Ireland.
“Like Ireland?” Nah.
“So which Ireland is the factually correct one then? Just because you can’t cope with the same name for 2 things doesn’t mean it’s incorrect. It just says more about you.”
I don’t think you’ll find many official maps from anywhere listing the six as “Ulster”. Not even British maps do it. Sorry, factually incorrect, try again.
“I think you realise I left out Ulster in my sentence. Loads of organisations call it Ulster – Ulsterbus, the Ulster Museum, Ulster Transport Museum, Ulster Unionist Party, United Ulster Unionists, The Conservative and Ulster Unionist Party, Ulster TV, The Ulster Hospital, The Ulster Hall, the Ulster Arms, Royal Ulster Constabulary Association, Ulster Squash league. I could go on but it’s becoming tedious. ”
Some of those are equally valid when applied to the 9 counties, some are flat wrong. It still makes it neither right, or official.
Just wondering, were staunch Unionist folks utterly disgusted last year when they saw the First Minister wishing the Irish team well in the World Cup? Oh, I bet they were!
Unionist folks (the staunch types like Greg Campbell & co, etc.. ) really are what they say they are, ‘British’ people in Ireland. Too bad for them that they don’t rule the roost or call the shots any more!
When Wallace Thompson rattled on about Protestant extremism on RTE radio a couple of weeks ago numerous southern Irish Protestants rang in appalled at his antiquated and belligerant views. Such views belong in the past, move on!
“When Wallace Thompson rattled on about Protestant extremism on RTE radio a couple of weeks ago numerous southern Irish Protestants rang in appalled at his antiquated and belligerant views. Such views belong in the past, move on”
Nice rant – totally irrelevant though – oh and until the IRFU starting messing with the anthems agreement – most “staunch” Unionists would have been firm supporters – sorry to shoot down your little stereotypes….
Hi Kensei,
“I don’t think you’ll find many official maps from anywhere listing the six as “Ulster”. Not even British maps do it. Sorry, factually incorrect, try again.”
That would mean then that you accept Ireland is an island within the British Isles then? No, didn’t think so. Your arguments are as incoherent as you are incapable of applying them.
“Some of those are equally valid when applied to the 9 counties, some are flat wrong.”
For example…
And when they roared and ranted
And said “that isn’t fair”
We nodded and we answered :
“But that’s nayther here nor there’
And when they tried to fathom out
If this was right or wrong
We’d divert them with a little dance
And regale them with a song ,
Or educate them to the fact
That words are all a game
And certain things are better called
By a rather different name ,
That just because we use a term
It need not signify
Exactly what it seems to mean -
Though it’s neither truth nor lie .
And by the time the Norman Lord
Had reckoned we were right
We’d married off our daughters fair
To his reeves and to his knight ;
And he was left to ponder :
“Shure , what was all the fuss ?
When all is said and done
Aren’t they just the same as us ?
And then we urged the Norman Lord
To build a monast’try
For we told him that the Saviour
Would protect his progeny ,
And when we had him on his knees
Convinced he was a sinner
We gently whispered in his ear :
“Now I ask yeh -who’s the winner ”
Thats all folks
I’m outta here for now
Congal Claen
“None of them matter a f*ck.”
Why am I not surprised that you would say that.
“It wasn’t only GSTQ that the IRFU refused to play at Lansdowne. It was every anthem of every visiting team. What did they do wrong then, now that your on a roll?”
Well, considering the Welsh and Scots probably didn’t want GSTQ either might explain why GSTQ was not played for them . . . as the English players might not have felt comfortable standing around in one sport in Dublin … that would just about leave the French visiting every two years outside of GSTQ. Then the touring sides – SA boycott for several years, Aussies/Kiwis – don’t think they would be too bothered to play GSTQ in Ireland.
This anthem stuff with rugby has really only come in since the first World Cup.
Of course, you had Irish nationals standing for GSTQ/UJ for the British Lions with no complaints up to very recently. Fair play Woody.
And then, Brian Carney when he played Rugby League for GB getting castigated in the British press because he didn’t SING GSTQ or wasn’t happy posing with the Union Flag. And that was only 3/4 years ago! I’m sure Brian Carney explained to the NI lads that they got an easy ride with the Irish public/press over AnaB.
Hi JaneyMac,
“Well, considering the Welsh , etc, etc…”
I’m not talking about GSTQ in this instance. I’m talking about the anthem of any visiting team. Only SS was played nothing else. So what did they do wrong then?
Congal Claen
“Up to fairly recently, wasn’t GSTQ the Welsh/ Scottish anthem used – and changed because of the booing GSTQ received from the Welsh & Scottish supporters.”
What is the point you are trying to make? That the IRFU got it into its head not to play ANYONE’S anthem in Lansdowne Rd to annoy Unionists?
if i recall, it used to be only the home nation whose anthem was played. that’s quite some time ago though (20 years maybe)
Iain, think you are right – it became a lot more ceremonial from the first Rugby World Cup which is 20 years ago.
Congal Glaen
Out of interest, do you not think it was a disgrace that the IFA refused to play AnaB at the competitive NI v. ROI in Windsor Park in 1993?
For the record, I think it was a good idea not to play it!
So the Slugger consensus is as follows on how to deal with Unionist not feeling part of the IRFU set up after the lack of a home anthem last summer versus Italy.
1. If you don’t like the 26 county symbols representing a 32 county team then just lump it and bog off back to whatever stone in Scotland you crawled out from or indeed go off and form your own team ….. Nice……not
2. If you want an anthem then get us a non British one to play as it’s far too divisive, jingoistic and sectarian (coming from the those who like us all to sing a song about Soldiers)……
Not really my cup of tea, as you’ll appreciate. If a team claims to represent me then it should really represent me not just pay lip service with a Phil Coulter ditty sandwiched in between the Soldier’s Song and a blast of the Fields of Athenry and how we all apparently love to rebel against the Famine and the Crown.
Personally, I think playing only Ireland’s Call would be fair as the IRFU have come up with an anthem for the whole of the Ireland, it’s just that they still pay tribute to the 32 county republican mentality but playing the Soldier’s Song when it’s two countries playing together, not just one.
And if the Soldier’s Song is still going to be played in Dublin then GSTQ should be played when the team play in NI.
btw, in case anyone wants to throw up the old IFA issue, I believe that both England and Norn Iron should find something else to play instead of GSTQ and keep it for the UK wide occasions in this era of devolution across the UK – Holyrood, Cardiff and good old Stormont (All British together).
I attend rugby matches at both Ravenhill and in Dublin to watch rugby and support my team, not to sing anthems.
I think NI’s citizens could resolve this petty and tiresome squabble of which anthem is played in NI if they agreed on a new version of GSTQ. How about modifying the lyrics to something you can all readily agree on such as GSTQS, i.e. it’s Great Squandering The Queen’s Shilling? Problem solved. See what can be accomplished with a little lateral thinking?
I reckon If ‘God Save the Queen’ were played at Murryfield and Hampden Park as well as the Millenium Stadium in Cardiff, a resounding boo would ring out all round from the Scottish and Welsh fans, not so Windsor Park.
Excellent post Windsor Rocker – I hope all this double standards business is remembered next time the one team for Ireland football chancers raise their heads! All-Ireland rugby has been killed for me – good luck to those from Unionist backgrounds that stick with it – you are askng for a beating….I predict that Ireland’s call will be next on the axe list within the next few years….the rumbling had begun last year in some quarters in the southern media from memory…
“I attend rugby matches at both Ravenhill and in Dublin to watch rugby and support my team, not to sing anthems”
Then do away with both then and just have Ireland’s Call every time – problem sorted.
“I reckon If ‘God Save the Queen’ were played at Murryfield and Hampden Park as well as the Millenium Stadium in Cardiff, a resounding boo would ring out all round from the Scottish and Welsh fans, not so Windsor Park.”
More irrelevance……
That Gatland’s a bit ruthless ain’t he. Dropped Mark Jones and Alix Popham from a squad that beat England away! Said Popham was dropped because he should have been sin- binned !!!
That would mean then that you accept Ireland is an island within the British Isles then? No, didn’t think so. Your arguments are as incoherent as you are incapable of applying them.
No, that’s not on Irish maps. Northern Ireland as “Ulster” is not on any official map, as far as I’m aware.
That isn’t hard to follow, is it?
”btw, in case anyone wants to throw up the old IFA issue, I believe that both England and Norn Iron should find something else to play instead of GSTQ and keep it for the UK wide occasions in this era of devolution across the UK – Holyrood, Cardiff and good old Stormont (All British together).”
Definitely, and I think everyone agrees that ‘God Save The Queen’ should be dropped as an anthem for Northern Eire, (sorry, Freudian slip, Northern Ireland I mean).
Maybe more Irish Nationalists from Ulster will support the Northern Ireland soccer team then, as I am sure they are just as dismayed as Unionists (like Democratic) at the playing of ‘the Soldiers Song’ at Irish Rugby Internationals in Dublin. At least ‘the Soldiers Song’ is only played in Dublin and not abroad unlike God Save the Queen being played at Windsor Park and abroad.
Very rude too for some people to abbreviate their national anthem to ‘GSTQ’ for all their talk and and insistance of it being played!
“At least ‘the Soldiers Song’ is only played in Dublin and not abroad unlike God Save the Queen being played at Windsor Park and abroad.”
So what? – do you actually have one salient point to make or are you just a troll?
Ermm…the point I’m making could be described somewhat as ‘parity of esteem,’ kinda simple really to grasp, when the penny drops!
Let’s have a balance then, it is not Northern Ireland circa 1950′s and it is no longer Ireland circa 1800′s.
So less whinging, chin up and support your fellow Ulster men and the rest of the Irish Rugby team.
Gréagóir O’ Frainclín – “At least ‘the Soldiers Song’ is only played in Dublin and not abroad unlike God Save the Queen being played at Windsor Park and abroad.”
You are not comparing like with like. The RoI football team play the military SS both home and abroad just as the NI team play GSTQ. However, the rugby team is supposed to be a joint team for NI/RoI. Hence the reason we should use the flags and anthems of both or none. And we’re only on page 12 … !
Hi Kensei,
“No, that’s not on Irish maps. Northern Ireland as “Ulster” is not on any official map, as far as I’m aware.”
Well maybe you should’ve browsed a few of the official RUC/UDR maps. There were loads of them.
“That isn’t hard to follow, is it?”
It’s not hard to follow – it just doesn’t make sense. You say Ulster doesn’t exist in a 6 county form because it doesn’t exist on any map, which I’d dispute. Then you turn that on it’s head claiming Ireland isn’t part of the British Isles even tho there are loads of “official” maps showing it. The 2 contadict each other.
Here’s a few sites displaying NI as Ulster…
http://www.ireland-map.co.uk/map-of-northern-ireland.htm
http://www.lisburn.com/books/ulster/ulster-map-index.html
The fact that these exist disproves what you say. There is ambiguity. Maybe not in your head. But, then again that’s somewhere I’m fairly happy not to be.
“Ermm…the point I’m making could be described somewhat as ‘parity of esteem,’ kinda simple really to grasp, when the penny drops!”
Fine – then drop the Soldier’s Song – “parity of esteem” – just like you said. If we have neutrality for rugby in an all Ireland context – then I will certainly support it for football in a Northern Ireland context (even though it isn’t really like-for-like-) see I knew you had a point in there somewhere amongst the irrelevant sniping…
CC
Well maybe you should’ve browsed a few of the official RUC/UDR maps. There were loads of them.
I won’t even start. I note you produce none.
It’s not hard to follow – it just doesn’t make sense. You say Ulster doesn’t exist in a 6 county form because it doesn’t exist on any map, which I’d dispute. Then you turn that on it’s head claiming Ireland isn’t part of the British Isles even tho there are loads of “official” maps showing it. The 2 contadict each other.
No, I say that 6-county “Ulster” does not exist because there are no official maps. I’d say that whether Ireland is one of the “British Isles” is disputed, since there are conflicting official maps, but that preference should be given to the people that live there. And also note that usage of “British and Irish Isles” is gaining wider acceptance.
Here’s a few sites displaying NI as Ulster…
http://www.ireland-map.co.uk/map-of-northern-ireland.htm
http://www.lisburn.com/books/ulster/ulster-map-index.html
The fact that these exist disproves what you say. There is ambiguity. Maybe not in your head. But, then again that’s somewhere I’m fairly happy not to be.
So that’s one whether the actual map rather than the website heading says “Northern Ireland” and there is a Tricolour in the top corner, and one from 1935 that says “Official Designation: Northern Ireland”. Way to go CC, I’m bowled over by your inconvertible facts.
Anyway, I have already skanked this thread up too much, I feel like I’m in a football thread, so I’ll bow out taht this point.
France make six changes including dropping the bloke who scored twice against Scotland
The world’s gone mad
and Ireland move Trimble to centre
Seems to make sense
I predict that Ireland’s call will be next on the axe list within the next few years….the rumbling had begun last year in some quarters in the southern media from memory…
Damn Corkonians!
I made a bet with myself that by this stage all sense of this still being a rugby blog would have disappeared. I hadn’t factored in there being a Welshman to save the day (sort of)…
My only comment is that Trimble and O’Driscoll seem to have clicked at last. If the French had a weakness against Scotland it was their vulnerablity on the break. Providing our pack can shake itself down, it could be an interesting return to Paris.
Peace & Justice and Democratic -
For your information there is a substantial amount of people in Northern Ireland who consider themselves Irish Nationalists (and they are not all Sinn Féiners either). If Scots and Welsh will not use ‘God Save the Queen’ at internationals or anywhere else as their anthem then why should Irish Nationalists have the anthem of an English Queen represent them.
‘The Soldiers Song’ is only played in Dublin, It was dropped for the World Cup, if you hadn’t noticed. So was the Tri-Colour, the Orange bit representing you or would that be the Green, like the jersey of both the rugby and soccer teams.
What you don’t understand, that while you can readily accept standing for ‘God Save the Queen’ because after all you are BRITISH, the majority of Irish folk on the island would find this a major incongruity given the sad history that has affected this island.
Drop all flags and anthems then!
To Dewi – what is your association with NI and/or RoI? Relatives? Are you from here originally?
Just so I can put your rugby comments in context!
[i]“So the Slugger consensus is as follows on how to deal with Unionist not feeling part of the IRFU set up after the lack of a home anthem last summer versus Italy.”[/i]
I’d like for Unionists and Nationalists to come up with an agreed anthem and flag for NI.
[i]1. If you don’t like the 26 county symbols representing a 32 county team then just lump it and bog off back to whatever stone in Scotland you crawled out from or indeed go off and form your own team ….. Nice……not[/i]
And if those from the 26 counties (the vast majority of people) don’t find the symbols used on most occasions (last year – 10 games out of 12!) where do they sod off to? Its like this – if you were to ask people what is the flag of Leinster on Grafton Street, if one in 10 knew what it was, I’d be surprised. Unlike NI/Ulster – the provincial flags are meaningless in the ROI. We have one flag and that is the Tricolour.
[i]2. If you want an anthem then get us a non British one to play as it’s far too divisive, jingoistic and sectarian (coming from the those who like us all to sing a song about Soldiers)……[/i]
No, No, and No again. The UK entity (England, NI, Scotland & Wales) is not playing rugby WITH Ireland.
[i]Not really my cup of tea, as you’ll appreciate. If a team claims to represent me then it should really represent me not just pay lip service with a Phil Coulter ditty sandwiched in between the Soldier’s Song and a blast of the Fields of Athenry and how we all apparently love to rebel against the Famine and the Crown.[/i]
When did the Irish rugby team claim to represent you (or me for that matter?). Its great that we are all in agreement though that “Ireland’s Call” is dreadful.
‘We’re Not Brazil’ is loved by NI football fans … maybe because just like “The Fields”, a good tune and easy to sing? Liverpool football supporters (among others) seem to think so and it certainly sounds good in Anfield.
[i]Personally, I think playing only Ireland’s Call would be fair as the IRFU have come up with an anthem for the whole of the Ireland, it’s just that they still pay tribute to the 32 county republican mentality but playing the Soldier’s Song when it’s two countries playing together, not just one.[/i]
Sorry. ‘Ireland’s Call’ is an embarrassment of a song to come from a nation renowned for its poets and musicians. And, at a minimum it should have at least a verse in the Irish language.
What do you mean by “paying tribute to 32 country republican [b]mentality[/b]” by playing the Soldier’s Song? Surely, just by playing Ireland’s Call would make one think that there is just one country which is called Ireland. If you played two songs, you would think there were two!
[i]And if the Soldier’s Song is still going to be played in Dublin then GSTQ should be played when the team play in NI.[/i]
I wouldn’t have a problem with playing GSTQ with AnaB in Dublin or anywhere. Presumably once will be enough for when we are playing England.
Do you think it might be a bit awkward for NI born players standing stonyfaced when GSTQ is being played, as I don’t think any of them are singers. 8,000/10,000 singing GSTQ in Croke Park is going to sound pretty crap when compared to 50,000/60,000 singing AnaB.
“Drop all flags and anthems then!” – Gréagóir O’ Frainclín
How is that ‘shared future’ working out for you? Is this it? If it is, the GFA sure is a world-class solution even if it looks suspiciously like mutual censorship from here.
To Gréagóir O’ Frainclín – So when the RoI football team play abroad the anthem now used is …. ?
There was a substantial minority in the RoI who considered themselves British – before they were burned out, murdered or forced to leave. A case of conform or else. What steps have the RoI taken to represent the Irish-British people of the RoI? They certainly haven’t changed the military and offensive SS anthem to accommodate them. And you could do a tour of the RoI without seeing a Union flag. Apparently the natives like to burn them. And then you complain about NI. Campaign for equality in the RoI and then I might take you seriously.
“Drop all flags and anthems then!
Posted by Gréagóir O’ Frainclín on Feb”
Best idea I’ve heard….
Hi Kensei,
“I note you produce none.”
HTF would I be able to produce them? Do you think they’d be on the internet ffs? However, I’ve seen them so you’ll just have to accept my word on it. Unless you think I’m a liar…
“No, I say that 6-county “Ulster” does not exist because there are no official maps. I’d say that whether Ireland is one of the “British Isles” is disputed, since there are conflicting official maps, but that preference should be given to the people that live there.”
Like those people who live in NI and consideer it Ulster? More contradiction…
“And also note that usage of “British and Irish Isles” is gaining wider acceptance.”
But nowhere near as much acceptance as British. The massive majority of those living in the BI consider it to be BI (using your earlier argument). But I suppose that’ll change again so you can contradict yourself again.
“Way to go CC, I’m bowled over by your inconvertible facts.”
I am merely showing there is ambiguity. You’re the one who changes his arguments at every turn. You’re a walking contradiction.
Hi Greagoir/Democratic,
“Best idea I’ve heard….”
Hear, hear!
Peace & Justice – ”There was a substantial minority in the RoI who considered themselves British – before they were burned out, murdered or forced to leave. A case of conform or else. What steps have the RoI taken to represent the Irish-British people of the RoI? They certainly haven’t changed the military and offensive SS anthem to accommodate them. And you could do a tour of the RoI without seeing a Union flag. Apparently the natives like to burn them. And then you complain about NI. Campaign for equality in the RoI and then I might take you seriously.”
The ‘whataboutery’ words are used here…and I can match like for like if ye want.
“Campaign for equality in the RoI and then I might take you seriously.”
This is a rediculous statement, equality for who, what are you talking about?
Given the sizeable influx of people from all over the world into the Irish Republic, overall everyone is getting on mighty fine, mixing, socialising, etc… including folk from a British backgrounds. They love the place!
“To Dewi – what is your association with NI and/or RoI? Relatives? Are you from here originally?
Just so I can put your rugby comments in context!”
Brilliant.
Come on then Dewi – are you a fenian Welshman or not?
I was in college with a girl from the Ardoyne. Will that do?
Mick – I’m usually as guilty as all – don’t mind it on the Soccer blogs but this is important!
“There was a substantial minority in the RoI who considered themselves British”
Just like me and I find it difficult to live there
Hi Janeymac
Liverpool fans sing “The Fields of Anfield Road” to the tune of “The Fields of Athenrye”…same tune, different lyrics…pretty sure King Kenny and Steve Heighway on the wing don’t appear in the original.
All those who won’t support Ireland as they don’t like the songs/anthems/flags/pints/craic/….Ho Hum, see you then. I guarantee there’ll still be bus and train loads of people coming down from all over NI to watch it, most won’t bat an eyelid over which song gets sung. Go and play politics with someone else’s game.
Ireland’s Call won’t get dropped. It will remain. Phil Coulter is more powerful than provincial hacks in Cork ; )
Jackman & Heaslip in is good news i’d say, delighted not to see Horgan thrown in on centre as he isn’t in shape just yet, hoping he’ll be fit & ready for the England game. Poor Tommy Bowe…perhaps the quota conspiracy theorists can stop their dreary rumours. Don’t think Murphy is a winger after watching last week’s game, might have been interesting to see Fitzgerald out there instead. Murphy on the bench, i think the french wings will have him for dinner.
“Liverpool fans sing “The Fields of Anfield Road” to the tune of “The Fields of Athenrye”…same tune, different lyrics…pretty sure King Kenny and Steve Heighway on the wing don’t appear in the original.”
Good idea.
Maybe unhappy unionists can just make up their own words to the tune of A na B.
So-ld-iers are we
(Go-od save our queen)
Whose lives are pledged to Ire-land
(long to re-ign over us)
the first two lines scan ok.
Could be quite fun.
Anyway if we’re going to improve the atmosphere at rugby matches we’d do better to try to get the English to stop singing their wanking song.
And what’s all the saucepan nonsense about Dewi?
“All those who won’t support Ireland as they don’t like the songs/anthems/flags/pints/craic/….Ho Hum, see you then. I guarantee there’ll still be bus and train loads of people coming down from all over NI to watch it, most won’t bat an eyelid over which song gets sung. Go and play politics with someone else’s game.”
I’ve actually heard exactly the position articulated by the Windsor Park faithful regarding the Northern Ireland team on more than one occasion….makes you think…