Outside the sport of it, my personal interest in the Championship these year ended with the departure of Donegal and Down. But in the first half of the Tyrone Kerry clash the Ulster team have done well to keep in touch with a much classier kingdom team. A lot of argybarging just before the whistle. If Tyrone can keep in their skins it could be close by the end. But not for the first time this year, Tyrone’s vintage stars are looking a little tired.
I share many of the concerns of Andy Pollak, whose recent post ‘My Response to the Slugger Begrudgers’ zeroed in on the ‘relentless flow of negativity’ of some Slugger commentators. Pollak’s post was largely concerned with the medium of the blog. Indeed, I think the anonymity of the online world encourages extreme discourse and allows [...] read our review »
A moment of some significance in journalism perhaps, as the New York Times reviews the current talked about book, The Wrong War: Grit, Strategy, and the Way Out of Afghanistan by Bing West. The author is no bleeding heart but a former assistant Defense Secretary from the Reagan era who stomped his way round the Afghan [...] read our review »
G O’F “being offended by a plain red and white flag is sensitivity in overdrive”
It’s what it represents i.e. an organisation which seems comfortable with its links to Republican murder gangs. And then it claims it is open to all! It’s an insult to those murdered and injured by Sinn Fein PIRA and other Republican death squads.
For example, in Tyrone there is Loughmacrory GAA which organises the Harte memorial tournament. Sinn Fein PIRA has also directly organised other events in the club.
The GAA needs to embrace change. With the success of Tyrone, why not turn it into something positive for everyone? Or is that too much to ask for?
Tyrone’s win takes some of the pain away from the quarter-final hammering they gave the Dubs and it was great to see their players up first thing this morning to visit Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin to show them Sam.
It seems social awareness and community spirit is stronger amongst “amateur” sportspeople.
PS: Tyrone look like they are going to be a GAA powerhouse for some time to come, large population, big fan base, focused on football, great set-up.
They have now beaten Kerry in Championship football three times in a decade. In contrast, Dublin have only beaten Kerry once in 70 years.
there were hardly any Tri-Colour flags at Croker yesterday
Indeed I saw a big Ulster flag, surely everybody can rally behind that?!
Should be good craic in Tír Eoghain tonight…
Here’s one for all you Tyrone GAA fans – given that there are no maternity services left in Tyrone is there a future for the county beyond this generation?
Hilarious – my code word is hospital – something Tyrone is being deprived of
When my wife gave birth last Christmas in craigavon I received a text from an Armagh friend congratulating me on the birth of another Armagh baby I replied to him that he was right cause it hasn’t stopped crying since he came out.
“Tyrone look like they are going to be a GAA powerhouse for some time to come, large population, big fan base, focused on football, great set-up”
I have to agree with these sentiments, but hopefully this victory will spur the rest of the Ulster counties on to greater things.
There is no short term master plan to winning the All Ireland. It can only be achieved by nurturing our young and bringing them up through the underage setup which Tyrone has been doing successfully since our last defeat to Kerry in an All Ireland way back in 1986.
Tyrone have a great underage setup and it is a credit to the county board to have had the foresight way back to put in place such systems that are now paying of for us.
Incredible support from the Tyrone fans yesterday.There must have been 40,000 plus in the stadium.
And with the tens of thousands watching back in the county,its not hard to see how its the biggest supported sport in the country.
Other sports must envy the huge attendences and dedication of the fans.
Maybe the reason Tyrone have become so successful is that most counties south of the border, apart from the more remote aeas like Kerry, don’t take this ‘let’s-pretend-i’ts- a-traditional-Irish’ game very seriously anymore or prefer the genuine traditional Irish game. The one that’s a foreign game in Tyrone and most of the other six counties.
Perhaps winning the all-Ireland phutbul is just so last century but people in Tyrone obviously haven’t realised yet.
Glencoppagagh
“Perhaps winning the all-Ireland phutbul is just so last century but people in Tyrone obviously haven’t realised yet.”
So last century! thats only 9 years ago!
So with having won three all Irelands in 6 years and beating kerry every time does that make us the team of the century!!;)
Better team won – congratulations to Tyrone from heartbroken son of the Kingdom.
Yes Peace & Justice, what you ask is reasonable, considering the ongoing peace process and the willingness of all NI folk to recognize their past mistakes and make amends.
But if you notice you will find such links between the GAA and Sinn Fein /IRA confined mainly to Ulster today. Why is this the case? A reflection of the conflict of interests that existed in NI since partition and the subsequent Troubles? Why were GAA hearts hardened in Ulster?
The shooting dead of 14 spectators in 1920 by the British Auxiliary forces at GAA HQ, Croke Park, Dublin no doubt affected all GAA supporters throughout Ireland, the shooting dead of several GAA members in NI during the Troubles such as Aidan McAnespie a member of Aghaloo GAA club who was shot dead by British security forces, Sean Brown murdered by the LVF, GAA chairman, Jack Kielty murdered by the UDA, GAA Manager Gerry Devlin murdered by the LVF, Tyrone player Seamus Dillon murdered by the LVF, etc… the confiscation of GAA grounds in Crossmaglen by the British army, etc …General harrasment of GAA members by British security forces etc…no doubt all led to the hardening of GAA hearts in Ulster. Surely you can identify with that, just as the murder of members of your community by the IRA hardened Unionists hearts.
A willingness to understand why things are the way they are is needed by all. A bit of deep reflection and compromise needed. Surely you would agree with that?
Tir Eoghain Gael,
It is much too early in the century to declare Tyrone ‘team of the century’ and being a Down man meself I can always dream. But if any accolades are to be given I suppose Glencoppagagh deserves the award for the most mean-spirited, spiteful little post on this thread (so far anyway) and he did have some serious competition what with Iluvni really going for bust.
“Maybe the reason Tyrone have become so successful is that most counties south of the border, apart from the more remote aeas like Kerry, don’t take this ‘let’s-pretend-i’ts- a-traditional-Irish’ game very seriously anymore or prefer the genuine traditional Irish game. The one that’s a foreign game in Tyrone and most of the other six counties.
Perhaps winning the all-Ireland phutbul is just so last century but people in Tyrone obviously haven’t realised yet. ”
Erm…what? We’ve won three all-irelands in our history. Kerry have won four this decade. Galway won in 2001. Mayo were in the final four times since 1996. Cork were in the final last year. Plus the amount of hype when Dublin play well is ridiculous.
And that’s without mentioning hurling! Kilkenny have just won three-in-a-row, defeating Waterford.
I don’t understand your bitterness.
Could Ulster Rugby reach out to the minority in the province by not having their followers use the flag of NI’s sectarian intolerance?
As I seem to recall there was no problem when it was used here in modern Ireland but your part is something different.
G O’F – “A willingness to understand why things are the way they are is needed by all. A bit of deep reflection and compromise needed. Surely you would agree with that?”
I’m all for reflection and moving forward. That’s why I’ve suggested that Tyrone GAA should use their win to reach out to others. The only problem with your post is the reaction there would be from the Pan-Nationalist Front if Government grants were paid to a Loyalist organisation that commemorated members of the modern day UVF/LVF/UDA .. whether they had a sporting wing or not. If BBC NI gave such wide-spread coverage to it there would be an out-cry. And if the modern day UVF/LVF/UDA used the facilities of such of an organisation there would be calls for an enquiry. So it’s disappointing to see such double standards. And not only from Sinn Fein PIRA murder gangs members. Members of the SDLP also give political cover to the GAA.
I’m sure someone like yourself who is so keen on reflection and compromise would agree that it’s time for the GAA to move on and become just a sporting organisation – instead of the quasi political group it is now.
To Niall – Various flags are used at Ulster rugby games including the NI and old 9 county flag. As the NI flag is used officially on other sporting occasions, it’s seems reasonable that people bring it to Ulster rugby games as well. The issue you should concern yourself about is when Ireland plays. Plenty of flags representing Eire. But no NI flags. I hope you are all for equality and will contact the IRFU to ensure the NI flag is also flown.
And given this is a GAA topic, I’m sure you’ll also agree that it’s very provocative and political for the GAA to fly the flag of the RoI when they are playing in NI. Time for change.
Peace & Justice
“Plenty of flags representing Eire. But no NI flags. I hope you are all for equality and will contact the IRFU to ensure the NI flag is also flown”.
“And given this is a GAA topic, I’m sure you’ll also agree that it’s very provocative and political for the GAA to fly the flag of the RoI when they are playing in NI. Time for change.”
Jaysus man in one sentance you call for the IRFU to fly the old NI flag alongside the tricolor at home games in Dublin then in the next sentence you call for the GAA to stop flying the flag of a “foreign country” here in the north. You do not know what the fuck you want!!
The GAA is a 32 county Irish organisation what part do you not understand? Either take it or leave it
flaminglip
“Plus the amount of hype when Dublin play well is ridiculous”.
When did Dublin last win it despite having at least 25% of the Republic’s population to pick from?
Now maybe you might agree that it’s just possible they don’t take this game as seriously as you do in Tyrone.
As for your reference to Kilkenny, if Tyrone ever become all-Ireland hurling champions, I might come and wave a flag myself.
“I’m sure someone like yourself who is so keen on reflection and compromise would agree that it’s time for the GAA to move on and become just a sporting organisation – instead of the quasi political group it is now.”
Oh indeed I am Peace & Justice. But you do understand that the GAA was founded in the 19th century and is steeped in history. It is an Irish institution, a part of the social fabric of the parish. It was formed long before the partition of Ireland. It’s association with Irish Nationalism, dates from then too, for it sought to help improve the welfare and social fabric of a poor, neglected and decimated people. It’s had many Protestants among it’s ranks too. That bond would never be lost within the turbulent political climate of Ireland, which is why as I have mentioned already the bond that you note between GAA and Republicans in NI today.
The GAA have made many improvements regarding it’s ethos within the last few years, rightly dropping several rules, opening up Croke Park to all sports, etc…and I don’t see why it will not continue to do so for the betterment of the sport among all folk on the island, including Catholic and Protestant!
“Now maybe you might agree that it’s just possible they don’t take this game as seriously as you do in Tyrone”.
Dublin last won the All Ireland only 13 years ago but i suppose that means last century using your measurment of time.
They took that game very serious and their fans were as pleased about winning as we Tir Eoghain Gaels were yesterday. The Team they beat that day was Tyrone!! So what is your point??
‘And if the modern day UVF/LVF/UDA used the facilities of such of an organisation there would be calls for an enquiry.’
You have obviously never been to some Irish League football club social clubs, especially in the mid ulster area.
Tir Eoghain Gael – “you call for the IRFU to fly the .. NI flag alongside the tricolor at home games in Dublin then .. you call for the GAA to stop flying the flag of a “foreign country” here.
The GAA is a 32 county Irish organisation what part do you not understand?”
Your argument is not very logical. The Ireland rugby team represents Northern Ireland and Eire in one team – hence the request for two flags or none. The GAA may be organised across Ireland but that is no reason for it to fly the RoI flag when games are being played in Northern Ireland UK.
Tir Eoghain Gael – “Either take it or leave it”
Very accommodating. Very GAA.
G O’F – “The GAA have made many improvements …and I don’t see why it will not continue to do so for the betterment of the sport among all folk on the island, including Catholic and Protestant!”
I would agree that they’ve made a few improvements but there is a lot of work to do. Let’s hope they make the full transition from quasi political to just a sporting organisation. I would welcome it very much.
I have always wondered what would be the reaction from the Catholic run GAA, if say a predominantly Protestant community , were to start playing GAELIC and HURLIN, and they formed a club and called it say SONS OF WILLIAM GAC.
“Your argument is not very logical. The Ireland rugby team represents Northern Ireland and Eire in one team – hence the request for two flags or none. The GAA may be organised across Ireland but that is no reason for it to fly the RoI flag when games are being played in Northern Ireland UK”.
The Ireland rugby team was not set up to represent both sides of the border as you see it. The IRFU like the GAA were set up before partition and is based on the 4 provinces of Ireland not a NI ROI divide as you like to see it, both organisations see Ireland as one entity only.
We Gaels in Tyrone are every much entitled to fly the flag of Ireland in Tyrone as our fellow gaels in Kerry.
Glencoppanagh:
Maybe the reason Tyrone have become so successful is that most counties south of the border, apart from the more remote aeas like Kerry, don’t take this ‘let’s-pretend-i’ts- a-traditional-Irish’ game very seriously anymore or prefer the genuine traditional Irish game. The one that’s a foreign game in Tyrone and most of the other six counties.
Afraid you have it backwards, Glen. Outside of Munster and the areas immediately bordering it (Kilkenny, Wexford, south Galway, bits of Offaly and Laois), hurling is a very poor relation to Gaelic football in terms of support.
BTW, you one of the Cavan Coppanaghs or the Galway ones?
Well done Tyrone. I didn’t actually watch the game. No particular reason, apart from spending time with my family and the fact that I have no interest in the sport.
I do know a number of genuine fans of the sporting side of the Down G.A.A who would have no time for the political nonsense that the G.A.A. allow themselves to dragged into. I’m sure that in Tyrone there are many, many genuine fans of the sport so I appreciate the sense of joy that they are feeling at the moment.
Saying that I do see were Peace and Justice is coming from. I don’t want my children playing in a sport which has a cup named after a republican terrorist, or in a ground named after a terrorist. I would like to add that I have no time for loyalist terrorists and the orange order needs to wise up to the damage being done to them by being associated with such people.
If the G.A.A. is serious about being seen to be non sectarian, then they need to take a look at themselves and realise that unionists still and will continue to mistrust them while these connections to the murderers of our community, are flaunted in our face.
That’s a great notion about the William of Orange GAA Club, SEAN (I like all the upper case – shows style, man!).
Are you Australian by any chance? I ask because your delightful speculative fancy recalled that Aussie/Irish emigré song If we only had old Ireland over here. You know the one:
If Shannon’s bells rang out o’er old Freemantle
and Galway Bay in Botany did appear
All the boys would stay at home
no more they’d ever roam
If we only had old Ireland over here.
God! it’d bring tears to a stone (except maybe Michael Stone).
You give hope to the world, SEAN. I am now inspired to propose that disappointed Lehman Brothers former executives consider forming a branch of the International Workers of the World (IWW). That’s the “Wobblies” to you and me and the rest of the gang. A good name might be the Big Jim Fisk Chapter. What do you think?
To Tir Eoghain Gael – You’re putting forward a political point a view, but not one based on facts. There are many groups and churches that are organised on an island of Ireland basis. But that doesn’t mean the border doesn’t exist. Most of them respect the border and behave appropriately. But obviously not the GAA.
Tir Eoghain Gael – “We Gaels in Tyrone are every much entitled to fly the flag of Ireland in Tyrone”
People can fly flags if they want – but flying one from another political jurisdiction is a political statement and proves nothing. Your earlier post sums you up quite well “As a GAA member I don’t think the GAA should be reaching out to Unionists at all”. That judge from Eire must have been thinking about you when he made his comments about Tyrone people ..
I have always wondered what would be the reaction from the Catholic run GAA, if say a predominantly Protestant community , were to start playing GAELIC and HURLIN, and they formed a club and called it say SONS OF WILLIAM GAC.
Annoyed bigotry for a minority, enthusiastic support from a larger minority, bemused tolerance from most, I’d guess.
That’s only up here, mind. Down South they’d all love it.
Personally, I’m looking forward to the day when the Belvoir Primary School kids grow up and form the Shaw’s Bridge Loyal GAC.
Peace & Justice
Thats not you Gregory is it??
So do you think that 40000 tyrone gaels should have GSTQ played, for their benefit, at croke park on all Ireland day just cause we are from the north?
Personally, I’m looking forward to the day when the Belvoir Primary School kids grow up and form the Shaw’s Bridge Loyal GAC.
Sammy there’s a club not far from Belvoir if you know any kids interested.
Gregory Campbell is a big fan
Good game. No worries, the Kingdom will bring back the prize next year.
“Now maybe you might agree that it’s just possible they don’t take this game as seriously as you do in Tyrone.”
Yeah, that’s why Dublin have 22 All-Ireland senior titles – more than every county in Ulster has combined…no wait, that doesn’t add up.
Ulster are traditionally a weak GAA province in terms of All-irelands won. Ulster didn’t have one semi-finalist in Gaelic Football in either 2006 or 2007. This year Tyrone have won the third in their history, even though at one stage this year we were 33/1 (after defeat to Down).
You just don’t get how big the GAA is, and how seriously it’s taken across Ireland. I suppose it’s the media’s fault, as the BBC and UTV concentrate on the Northern counties, naturally enough, so you seem to have a skewed impression of northern levels of success. Your comments are seriously uninformed and have little basis in reality. Instead, a bitterness towards the success that Tyrone are enjoying this year enamates from you, and I find that rather sad. But perhaps you know something that I, a life-long GAA fan, don’t?
John,
Bredagh GAC is already supporting the Belvoir Park Primary School GAA project.
“PeaceandJustice”
Perhaps the Orange Order could engage in some outreach by expelling the lodges that constantly use banners and bands that commemorate “loyalist” terrorists.
Perhaps they could take some action against it’s members that have been convicted of “loyalist” terrorist crimes.
Perhaps it could amend it’s rules to prevent anyone from joining who has been convicted of “loyalist” terrorist crimes. After all, it did amend it’s rules either this year or last to prevent anyone convicted of sexual offences against children from joining – although this could have been done after the Orange Order Kincora scandal.
I’m delighted for Tyrone although I’m not a GAA member or supporter myself.
I don’t agree with everything the GAA does. However, I don’t think anyone here is fooled by your usual hypocrisy. You are one of the Unionists who is always on here defending the Orange Order and ignoring it’s blatent and widely acknowledged ambiguity (to put it mildly!) on “loyalist” terrorism.
I would heed constructive criticism of the GAA from anyone who, like me, is consistently critical of any and all terrorism.
However, until such time as you are prepared to acknowledge the failings of the Orange Order with regard to “loyalist” terrorism, I think all sensible people will ignore your ramblings for the hypocritical nonsense that they obviously are.
I dont really honestly think myself that the Unionist , Protestant community, will ever ,take up Gaelic or Hurlin , in any real numbers, as far too much political and religious baggage comes along with it. Lets face facts, the GAA, is first and foremost a Catholic organization, for a Catholic people, the only sporting body in the world that mixes SPORT, RELIGION, and POLITICS. A recent survey carried out (by the Irish Goverment,) found that GAELIC GAMES ,were actually in decline, which the GAA, quickly rubbished. I really do not care what anyone plays , but the GAA, should not have a strangle hold over what games children can and cannot play in the vast majority of Catholic schools.
Sean,
I assume the survey to which you refer was the sport in Ireland survey which showed that swimming is the most popular sport in Ireland now, followed by golf and aerobics.
When you are younger you play team sports and as you grow older you migrate to individual pursuits it seems. 50-year-olds prefer to play golf than get hit hard on the GAA pitch I suppose.
And while the survey does point out the growth of sports such as rugby over the last 30 years, it still has a long way to go. For example, there are eight times as many women playing camogie are there are male rugby players on the island of Ireland.
In fact, there are nearly 6,000 GAA clubs compared to just over 200 rugby ones.
George,
re. camogie – that seems very high – does that figure include girls playing in school?
Is there a sport that young orange order boys and girls could take up with a broader range than just marching.
On a serious note has the orange order missed an opportunity here in not having a sporting wing?
TE Gael
My point is bluntly this:
(1) Dublin is by far the most populous county in Ireland.
(2) If GAA was pursued with the same enthusiasm as Tyrone, for example, you’d expect Dublin to be winning the all-Ireland at least twice every ten years.
(3) They don’t which infers the possibility that relatively few young men in Dublin with the requisite talent apply it to GAA.
(4) One reason for this might be that in Dublin GAA is just another sport and not a way of life.
Of course you might choose to believe that the likes of Robbie Keane or Brian O’Driscoll would never be good enough to play for Dublin, let alone Tyrone.
Glencoppagagh
I agree that if county populations dictated how many All Irelands you win then yes Dublin should at least be reaching the last two every year but they don’t.
The same could be said for Antrim hurling, why do Antrim fall short every year considering the pool of players they have to pick from around Belfast and the glens, the thing is that there are a number of factors to consider not just the pool of available players you have to pick from.
The GAA thrive better in rural areas where there is less competition from the other codes, young children have more choices at their doorstep. Derry city is a prime example of a city that is traditionally a soccer town with most of Derry`s players coming from the rural southern part of the county.
glencoppagagh,
I’ve spent a fair bit of time around teams and know a little about Dublin football.
Population actually hinders the development of talent in Dublin in my view. Dublin underage is hugely competitive, and physical with a result that the men still playing by 21 or 22 are those who had developed the most physically by their mid teens.
Tyrone and other counties which undoubtedly have hugely competitive underage still have the ability to allow their players develop over a longer period and then really put on the gas on their physical development when the skills are mastered.
While Tyrone has had a lot of underage success the surprisind thing about the team is the three or four players who didn’t make those underage teams but continued to develop.
To say that Dublin don’t care about the GAA is wrong. A great many people do and their is a huge demand being placed on clubs to cater for the population boom and unfortunately a lack of facilities and the expenses of City development have been a problem.
The Dubs don’t complain though, they just keep churning away, believing in themselves and rightly so.
This all ireland was won in the minds of the players. Their actions on the field confirmed that they had it won.
Their is that famous photo of the Tyrone swarm in ’03. It’s a potent weapon.
It was Sammy Mc Nally what done it,
sorry, not camogie, women’s Gaelic football, which has 115,000 registered members.
the GAA, should not have a strangle hold over what games children can and cannot play in the vast majority of Catholic schools.
If you think that is the case, you know little about sport in Catholic schools.
Sammy Morse- It is a fact and you can twist and turn it anyway you like , the GAA, has a stranglehold over the vast majority of Catholic Schools , both in N. Ireland , and the Republic. This is were the link between the GAA,and Catholic Church , is probably at it strongest. Many Catholic Schools (now) certainly allow a rage of individual sports and team sports to be played , but the crunch comes when it come to field sports like Gaelic games , Football , Rugby, Hockey, Camogie etc. Gaelic games will always be the main sports that represent the Schools, in organized League’s, competitions etc.If a Catholic School, for instance has a Football team , (and very few have) it will be a papuer compared to the resources given to it compared to a Gaelic team. This is a plain and simple fact.
“Gaelic games will always be the main sports that represent the Schools”
In Ireland that is the way the majority of people want it.
In fact, the word football, for the vast majority of people means Gaelic football, Association Football is generally known as ‘soccer’.
The GAA do not dictate to schools that they should play Gaelic games, they dont have to. Assocation football and rugby are just not as popular and there own lack of resources is simply a reflection of that. That doesnt take anything away from them as sports of course.
Plain and simple facts.
TE Gael
Well it seems we now agree that GAA flourishes where it enjoys a monopoly and wilts a bit when faced with competition from other sports.
One implication is that where there is greater choice or opportunity (not in Kerry or Tyrone), the more talented gravitate towards professional sports.
And now of course if you’ve missed the boat where football or rugby are concerned, there’s always Australia.
I’ll leave you with a confident forecast: NI counties will win at least half of the next 20 all-Irelands. When Tyrone have won it for the tenth time, you’ll probably get my point.
Just recovering now….what a day. The team of the decade without a doubt. I agree with what some Wexford player said in the Times, that he already had Tyrone penciled in as TOTD because Kerry have always had the tradition, but Tyrone came out of nowhere this decade. Sounds about right to me.
And all you ballbags, you know who you are, you hate the GAA for a number of reasons, but i’d say primarily becuase it completely rubishes your stupid belief that the south is a foreign country. Sad little men. Red Hand power did devour the Kingdom.
Most kids at Catholic maintained are already playing gaelic football before they ever get to school. More and more clubs are having kick abouts for young boys and girls as young as five or six and organised tournaments from U10 upwards, so I have to agree with ggn it is gaelic that most kids grow up with and it is demanded for at school.
If you were to throw a ball to the primary 3 class at our local school the vast majority of them will instinctively catch it rather than head it or catch on their chest.
That does not take away from their love of the premiership as well. Most of the kids playing underage at our local club Galbally will also be as fanatical about Liverpool, Man U, Celtic etc.
It is a credit to the GAA that they can keep the young interested in sport at all in the present day considering the amount of distractions they have to contend with in this modern age.
But I feel that the best asset that the GAA have is their Amateur ethos and to get children to partake in GAA sports and pastimes at all, just for the love of the game and to take pride in your club, county, province, is a credit to them.
Critics of the GAA say that it is a pointless game because it is not played internationally and you wont make any money at it, that is true, but if we as an organisation were given the choice of the status quo or a professional game which is played at international level with all the exposure that comes with it then I think we would lose something very special if we go down the road that soccer has went.