Wednesday, August 01, 2007
Protestant GAA player gives up sport after sectarian abuse…
Gaelic Football has a grace and skill about it that is hard to resist at close quarters. It’s not surprising that despite the cultural chill around some of the flags and symbols, it is played with enthusiasm and passion by some (albeit very few) Protestants. Darren Graham is probably more senior than most of those who have taken up the sport, but he has finally given up playing after taking regular sectarian abuse.
Deirdre Donnelly, the Press Officer for the Fermanagh County Board GAA, told the ‘Herald’ it was the first time she had heard of that form of abuse: “And, I know from talking to other officials, they have never been aware of it. But, certainly, if individuals feel there is an issue, they should bring it to their club and the club should take it to County Board.”
Darren Graham is adamant: ‘unless there is something really done about it and the County Board realise that this is all happening, I am definite, I am not putting on the shirt again’.
For the record, Rule 7(b) of the GAA constitution states clearly: ‘the Association shall be non-sectarian’.
And, in Febraury this year, the GAA President, Nicky Brennan, in the course of an interview for the Church of Ireland Gazette, insisted there was nothing wrong with the GAA that would stop Protestant people joining. Indeed, he suggested the only intimidation might come from their own community.
It begs the question that if the GAA doesn’t actually know this stuff is going on: is this just the tip of a very large iceberg?
Mick Fealty @ 11:25 AM
“And, as regards your threat of violence, at least it is not the physical violence Concenred Loyalists have dished out to GAA members and non fascist Protestants like John Turnley.”
Turnley was executed in Carnlough by the UFF because he was an INLA member and strategist in the renegade faction and the Chairman of the seditious Irish Independence Party. The INLA signed his death warrant when they blew up Airey Neave in the Commons car park a year earlier...hardly a beacon of humanity now was he?
Posted by on Aug 03, 2007 @ 04:03 PM“Darrens little winge in the Newsletter today did not exactly endear himself to the Unionist/Protestant community, and community he has clearly shunned long ago.”
So, he’s not Prod enough so it is ok for him to be abused? He should be instead abused for not being Prod enough? What is your point?
I’d suggest Darren is possibly 99.9% of 6 county GAA Prods, period :P
Posted by on Aug 03, 2007 @ 04:14 PMConcerned Loyalist, on the one hand you present yourself as a non-sectarian Northern Ireland supporter, suitably outraged at the treatment of Mr. Graham.
In the next breath ,you casually condone paramilitary murder by loyalist terrorists.Obviously, you are one of the old school of Northern Ireland fans that we are told, don’t exist anymore according to ace delusionists, Realist and Willowfield.
Posted by on Aug 04, 2007 @ 12:35 PM“Obviously, you are one of the old school of Northern Ireland fans that we are told, don’t exist anymore according to ace delusionists, Realist and Willowfield”
chewnic,
On the contrary, I have often stated on this board that it is inevitable that amongst the Northern Ireland fanbase there will be supporters of loyalist paramilitary groupings.
I’m also quite sure that there are supporters of republican paramilitary groupings amongst the GAA fraternity.
I would also bet my bottom dollar that supporters of various paramilitary groupings also support various other football teams.
Perhaps you will desist from misrepresenting me?
Posted by on Aug 04, 2007 @ 12:42 PM“Would Neil Lennon be safe to make an international comeback?”
He recognises, endorses and applauds change.
For that, he gets my respect.
Posted by on Aug 04, 2007 @ 12:46 PMRealist, You are right that there remains a significant underbelly of sectarian die-hards within the NI fanbase but not all are hiding in the shadows. Indeed on a certain NI fans Website this week, I note that reference is made to ‘taigs’ at games. Sad to see that Site Admin has failed to remove this grossly offensive term. I’m sure you would agree on that? I’ll see for myself in a couple of weeks and will take you up on your invitation to report back.
Posted by on Aug 04, 2007 @ 03:21 PM“Turnley was executed in Carnlough by the UFF because he was an INLA member and strategist in the renegade faction and the Chairman of the seditious Irish Independence Party. The INLA signed his death warrant when they blew up Airey Neave in the Commons car park a year earlier...hardly a beacon of humanity now was he?
Posted by Concerned Loyalist on Aug 03, 2007 @ 05:03 PM
Good to know the INLA killed Turnley, whose only crime was not loyalty. Let’s salute the men who brought the war home to the IIP and the GAA.
Posted by on Aug 04, 2007 @ 04:38 PM“Indeed on a certain NI fans Website this week, I note that reference is made to ‘taigs’ at games”
What site was that on chewni?
“You are right that there remains a significant underbelly of sectarian die-hards within the NI fanbase but not all are hiding in the shadows”
Yes - like are within the fanbases of many football teams, and the GAA membership. I’m sure similarly sectarian comments would be found on sports boards of a nationalist/republican hue.
Northern Ireland fans will continue to strive to ensure that the sectarianism is left at the turnstiles at Northern Ireland matches.
Posted by on Aug 04, 2007 @ 06:24 PMSo, he’s not Prod enough so it is ok for him to be abused? He should be instead abused for not being Prod enough? What is your point?
I’d suggest Darren is possibly 99.9% of 6 county GAA Prods, period :P
What I said was hes chosen that way of life, he should at least have the guts to endure it.
Posted by on Aug 04, 2007 @ 06:29 PM“What I said was hes chosen that way of life, he should at least have the guts to endure it”
What? “Endure” prolonged sectarian abuse?
Posted by on Aug 04, 2007 @ 06:48 PMWhat? “Endure” prolonged sectarian abuse?
He knew what he was getting into before he joined, besides hes not a Protestant so I am confused as to why he is being abused.
Posted by on Aug 04, 2007 @ 07:12 PM“He knew what he was getting into before he joined”
What was he “getting into”?
Posted by on Aug 04, 2007 @ 07:15 PM
