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
John - I understand what you are saying but to be fair the GAA doesnt say that. If you read the constituion and rules it is quite clear it is a political organisation. (Just count th enumber of times it uses the word ‘National’ to mean the island).
Indivudual Nationalists try to convince others (and themselves) that its just about sport, but thats the same line as Prods hate us cos were Catholics, we pity them becuase they are Unionists and that makes us better than them.
Posted by on Aug 01, 2007 @ 12:39 PMThe Association is a National Organisation which has as its basic aim the strengthening of the National Identity in a 32 County Ireland through the preservation and promotion of Gaelic Games and pastimes.
Unionists can promote Gaelic culture without reneging on their political aspirations.
The mention of a 32 county Ireland simply reflects the all-island nature of the CLG/GAA, which has members from Cork to Ballycastle, Galway to Portaferry.
Posted by on Aug 01, 2007 @ 12:42 PMThis story deserves a lot of attention given the frenzy inspired by certain stories regarding proper football.
Posted by on Aug 01, 2007 @ 12:45 PMMichael, I think you’re misguided in your claim that ‘unionists are banned from membership of the GAA’.
The organisation holds views which you find anathema - but that’s not to say that, a priori, you are disqualified. You could change your views or you could join with the express intent of changing the Association’s views - and the Association has changed policy on a number of crucial issues to unionists over the years - rule 21 being one example, the use of Croke Park another.
That’s a different position from nationalists being banned from membership of the Orange Order because of their Catholic birth. Or being banned from being a member of the KKK because you’re Catholic or Black. I find the views of these two organisations reprehensible but even if I didn’t, I wouldn’t be able to join. That’s ineligibility for you.
As for the case of Darren Graham, it’s a disgrace that this should happen. The GAA should mount an immediate investigation into the matter and, if people are found to have committed such an offence, they should be banned from the CLG forever.
Posted by on Aug 01, 2007 @ 12:46 PMThe Church of Ireland and the Supreme Orange Lodge of Ireland presumably are anti-unionist organisations. Sssscccchhhh!
Posted by on Aug 01, 2007 @ 12:47 PMThis guy’s point is weakened by the LVF/UUP diehards like Michael Shilliday who are all too eager to jump on the bandwagon. Given his family history, he is a man apart. But Fermanagh hurling is not up to much. Any player will get baited at a game and to expect the GAA to police low level shit like this is ludicrous. Ye would realise that if ye ever played anytihng more than pocket billiards.
What is the opposition to do? Spread their defence wide open like a H Block arse so he can walz on through. If it puts him off his game, theywill do it. Ditto any sport, anywhere.Posted by on Aug 01, 2007 @ 12:48 PMI couldn’t. The rules say that to join you have to subscribe to the basic rule. Unionists who are Unionists cannot subscribe to what is a nationalist policy document.
Posted by on Aug 01, 2007 @ 12:49 PM‘Not quite the same - the NI football team is ultimatley about national identity which in NI is disputed territory’
The ni football team plays a unionist anthem, flies a unionist flag and the crowd sing unionist songs. The IFA refused to take action over Glentoran’s commemoration of a terrorist representative and no action was taken over Ballymena United allowing Paisley and the DUP to use the club’s pitch and facilities for electioneering before the assembly elections.
The protestant dominated IFA is the only association in the whole of Europe that openly descriminates with its blanket ban on sunday football.
If you think the IFA is about sport count how wany wear sashes in July.
Posted by on Aug 01, 2007 @ 12:50 PMHave to say that put a smile on my face George. Colourful.
Posted by on Aug 01, 2007 @ 12:51 PMAs a Catholic watching N Ireland soccer team listening to the Billy Boys being up to their eyes in fenian blood surrender or you’ll die - now that is scary.We need to have a serious think about the mixing of politics and sport and how having GAA clubs named after IRA contributes to the shared future that everybody now seems to want.Would Neil Lennon be safe to make an international comeback? errr - no.
Posted by on Aug 01, 2007 @ 12:51 PMSorry RG - you are wriggling .
The 32 county mention is all about ending the Union.
The President of the GAA in 1973, Pat Fanning stated ‘the GAA position is clear. Its historical role is not a myth. Our charter proclaims the determination of the GAA to work for a 32 county Ireland.
Posted by on Aug 01, 2007 @ 12:52 PM‘many’ typo.;.
Posted by on Aug 01, 2007 @ 12:52 PM“You could change your views or you could join with the express intent of changing the Association’s views “
Can he join without a gaelic name? He certainly can neither play nor can he become an official without a gaelic name.
Posted by on Aug 01, 2007 @ 12:57 PMDid I get this right - hear me out.
So if every Unionist in NI signed up to a GAA club and pushed for partition in the organisation that would work ?
I feel a campaign coming on.
Posted by on Aug 01, 2007 @ 01:04 PMmnob - it’s disappointing that the GAA’s rewrites of it’s constitution still make no acknowledgement of the GFA
Posted by on Aug 01, 2007 @ 01:10 PMSo for expressing a Unionist view, I’m clearly a paramilitary....hmmmmm.
Posted by on Aug 01, 2007 @ 01:11 PMAt the risk of pointing out the obvious, this reference to ‘very few’ Protestants playing it is likely to be a Northern thing.
I played hurling up to minor level for my club with three Protestant brothers on the team, one of whom was the team captain for two seasons and it wasn’t an issue.
Catholics in the South play rugby and cricket. Protestants in the South play Gaelic football and hurling.
Posted by on Aug 01, 2007 @ 01:11 PMWhit aboot Ulster Scots?
Wud anabodie be lookin fur be settin up tha Ulster Scots Spurtin Click? Gud Scots fibta, nivermin tha inglis surt.
Wi cud dae averahing in Scots jist lik the gulderdickers.
Posted by on Aug 01, 2007 @ 01:15 PMCruimh,
It’s likely that Graham is of Gaelic origin - Ó Gréacháin.
And the name policy isn’t enforced that much. If a player has a named that is not of Irish origin, it is generally left in its original language. Be that English, French etc.
Posted by on Aug 01, 2007 @ 01:16 PMYe cudnae be up ti thon gulderdickers Ulster Scot, a quare aul lock they are ;-)
Posted by on Aug 01, 2007 @ 01:18 PMthe doc -
“As a Catholic watching N Ireland soccer team listening to the Billy Boys being up to their eyes in fenian blood surrender or you’ll die”
This does NOT happen at NI matches.
Posted by on Aug 01, 2007 @ 01:18 PMI’m shocked reading that article and truly believe that any culprits should be named and disciplined. The GAA’s constitution clearly states that it is non-sectarian, so that should be an end to it.
What amuses me is how people like “concerned loyalist” rush here to condemn sectarianism yet do it in such a way as to create another argument along sectarian lines!
Posted by on Aug 01, 2007 @ 01:21 PM“It’s likely that Graham is of Gaelic origin - Ó Gréacháin”
No - it’s Maharg backwards !!
Posted by on Aug 01, 2007 @ 01:22 PMRG,
Thons richt, ye cudnae. Nought wurser than a gulderdicker.
Anywa, I min tha time, och, a score a years ago whin ye wud be at tha fitba and spakin oul spakes an I thinks it wud be gud t’ dae it agin.
Ulster Scots Fitba! whit aboot it?
Posted by on Aug 01, 2007 @ 01:23 PM“So for expressing a Unionist view, I’m clearly a paramilitary....”
Maybe not, but on your other thread, Michael, you seemingly are unable to believe that a British soldier is capable of murder or ever committed murder during the entire hsitory of the Troubles. That perspective would not only separate you from Nationalists and Republicans (and many GAA and non-GAA people) but also from anyone with a sense of right and wrong.
Posted by on Aug 01, 2007 @ 01:24 PM
