Friday, May 16, 2008
School Steps, Back and Forward
A Limavady grammar school has found itself at the centre of a sporting/ political controversy after allegedly reneging on an invitation to the GAA to provide a training session for school pupils in an extra-curricular capacity following apparent ‘complaints’ by parents and teachers. Limavady Grammar Headmaster, Sam McGuinness, has said he would like to see gaelic games being played at the school. Meanwhile, Ian Paisley has been paying a visit to St. Patrick’s College, Bearnageeha, where he was presented with a hurley stick and invited to attend a GAA game at Croke Park by the passionate advocate of comprehensive education and School Headmaster, PJ O’Grady. Belfast’s Unionist Lord Mayor, Jim Rodgers, was also in north Belfast this week, visiting a catholic primary school in Ardoyne, where he handed out prizes for the school’s award-winning Gaels, this time of the handball court. At least that’s two steps forward for the one in reverse…
Chris Donnelly @ 09:43 PM
“Ehh? I left LGS a coupla years ago. No mention was ever made of going to St Mary’s to play gaa. And there were no pupils from St Mary’s or the high school taking subjects at LGS.
You seem to be talking through your hat my dear.”
Yes indeed. You left a couple of years ago. Unfortunately in this virtual environment, I am unable to take bets that by next academic year, the option WILL be offered. Otherwise, I’d be putting money on the table.
You’ll find that it will be teachers from St Mary’s AND the facilities will be shared. Strange that you didn’t phone one of your mates to get the straight story.
Frankly, the first half of the original thread is increasingly representative of the tat that gets posted for “news” on this site.
Posted by on May 17, 2008 @ 06:21 PMWillis you can’t libel the dead. unfortunately (but for good legal reason) P&J;can say what she likes about the Harte brothers and the only rule she’d break would be playing the man (which I believe even extends to the deceased)
Posted by on May 17, 2008 @ 07:46 PMMatt - “should the children ,of their own free will, be denied the oportunitiy to play GAA if they want?”
They should be given all the facts i.e. the association of the GAA with murderers, their connection with politics and the flying of the RoI flag as well as the use of the military Soldier’s Song.
I don’t think many children would want to be associated with an organisation which celebrates the people who murdered their relatives and/or family friends.
I would like the GAA to move forward instead of pushing an agenda along with the sporting wing. If they are willing to become a purely sporting organisation, then I’ve no doubt there would be a more widespread following. But that means that they need to embrace change.
Would you support them moving forward, breaking their link with politics and terrorism as well as removing symbols offensive to the great number of people in Northern Ireland?
Posted by on May 17, 2008 @ 09:13 PMLocal, is that your arse or your elbow you are talking about?
Posted by on May 17, 2008 @ 10:49 PMHm. Back to school for you. Not many manners taught at LGS. Though they seem to produce good results at just about anything else.
4 months will tell.
Posted by on May 17, 2008 @ 10:54 PMYou’ll never get the knot out of those knickers I’m afraid!
So pupils from St Mary’s are taking classes at LGS? Or they will be in 4 months time? What is it local?
Your postings seem to be independent of the fourth dimension.
And for what it’s worth, the most important thing that LGS taught me was that the bitterest prods in Ireland come from Dungiven. God bless ‘em.
Posted by on May 18, 2008 @ 02:52 AMPeople don’t play GAA, they play Gaelic football.
Are the anti-GAAers here and elsewhere against the GAA, Gaelic football or both? So if a school has a problem with the IFA, UEFA or FIFA they will not allow soccer to be played at their school. Right?
We await the school meeting the sporting needs of some of their pupils by providing Gaelic football training from a non official GAA source. Perhaps like most schools from their PE teachers, who as far as I know, don’t need to members of basketball, soccer, rugby or tennis associations to provide opportunities to practice said sports.
Posted by on May 18, 2008 @ 05:49 AMConsidering recent events in Limavady Council I’m surprised that no-one has reflected on the idea of a ‘neutral sporting environment’. Would it not be a good idea to strip out some of the non-sporting and perhaps controversial cultural material?
Posted by on May 18, 2008 @ 08:22 AMThis whole thing is silly and an embarrassment to the school. If pupils want to play a sport then just let them and forget the bigoted minority. I thought schools were to promote sport nowadays as a part of a healthy lifestyle.
Posted by on May 18, 2008 @ 10:45 AMnineteensixtyseven
yes but the GAA is not just about playing sport is it?
“The Association shall actively support the Irish language, traditional Irish dancing, music, song, and other aspects of Irish culture. It shall foster an awareness and love of the national ideals in the people of Ireland, and assist in promoting a community spirit through its clubs.”
Posted by on May 18, 2008 @ 11:08 AMSo...? Just because the GAA will be taking a few training sessions LGS won’t suddenly become Gaelscoil. Get a grip.
Posted by on May 18, 2008 @ 11:41 AMPersonally, I blame the parents.
;-)
Posted by on May 18, 2008 @ 03:47 PMBonarLaw “yes but the GAA is not just about playing sport is it?”
yes but you can play gaelic football without involving the GAA. Hell I play soccer, rugby and gaelic football with my kids without involving the IFA, IRFU or GAA. So - is the problem the sport or the sports organisation?
Posted by on May 18, 2008 @ 06:41 PMWhen I went to Grammar School I wasn’t allowed to play association football....... it was rugby the whole way. I never heard any media commotion about that.......
Posted by on May 18, 2008 @ 10:42 PMWindsorRocker,
Ignoring the facetious nature of your post, you should have started some media commotion then. You can play soccer at LGS, along with loads of other sports but, strangely for a school with a significant proportion of pupils coming from the nationalist community, Gaelic football is a taboo.
Posted by on May 18, 2008 @ 11:58 PM
