I'd drop playing Amhrán na bhFiann before EVERY game.

Club finals, League Finals, Provincial finals, and All-Ireland Finals only for me.

MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13718 - 29/09/2015 12:05:05    1793519

But playing it before every game is different to the final of the cup - that is a national day. We could play it before the AI final in the same way. At the end of the day this is a sport. Sport is all-inclusive, playing one particular national anthem before every game isn't inclusive. It is in fact overtly divisive. Like we are talking about GSTQ being played before games in the north - we are doing the same thing here. Can people not see that?

Reading the comments here, the only conclusion I can come up with is most people don't actually want to be inclusive at all. They want everyone to play by their rules. Well fair enough, but maybe less of the lip service about wanting to be inclusive then.

TheMaster (Mayo) - Posts: 16187 - 29/09/2015 12:08:50    1793520

I'm actually kinda offended he even suggested this. Why should we hide who we are? ~PHS

Pope_has_spoken (Dublin) - Posts: 138 - 29/09/2015 12:12:08    1793525

Is this not just another step down the Sky Sports, spreading the game abroad, it's better to look after the game abroad than at home attitude?

Personally it sickens me to not have Amhrann na bhFiann played before our rugby games. Jarlath would want to scuttle back to whatever rock he lives under.

icehonesty (Wexford) - Posts: 2553 - 29/09/2015 12:12:28    1793526

If master actually read between the lines he'd see that we are all open to inclusiveness, but not at any price.

brendtheredhand (Tyrone) - Posts: 10897 - 29/09/2015 12:18:22    1793530

Pope_has_spoken
I'm actually kinda offended he even suggested this. Why should we hide who we are? ~PHS

Id ask why do we feel the need to ram 'who we are' down everyones throat as every sporting event? It's not relevant to playing the game. I mean when you go to training or a 5 a side game, do you tell everyone you are from the republic of Ireland and then sing the national anthem every time? Of course not. So why is it so relevant here? Is it because we invented the game? Well in that case we better start playing GSTQ before all soccer and rugby matches, right?

Play it at the AI final, and maybe the league final. Fair enough, those are national final days.

TheMaster (Mayo) - Posts: 16187 - 29/09/2015 12:23:13    1793532

Will that stop them burning gaa club grounds ? No and no to this stupid request

Dellboypolecat (Tyrone) - Posts: 15069 - 29/09/2015 12:23:29    1793534

@TheMaster - Easy for you to preach about the need to be 'inclusive' where you are. A spell north of the border might show you how 'inclusive' many of those Jarlath Burns feels the need to be sensitive towards really are.

Ailteoir (Galway) - Posts: 861 - 29/09/2015 12:25:11    1793536

I think playing the anthem before every single game completely devalues the anthem and sense of occasion, it becomes a monotonous procedure, as Mes said, just reserve it for big occasions, ie provincial and AI finals etc.

Htaem (Meath) - Posts: 8657 - 29/09/2015 12:27:52    1793540

Is it worth it? I mean how many Unionists would be willing to swallow their pride for a 'foreign' sport, not many I'd guess
In fact I'd wager that the mere sight of a GAA match is enough to turn the stomach of a substantial percentage.

lilypad (Kildare) - Posts: 1363 - 29/09/2015 12:30:54    1793542

brendtheredhand
If master actually read between the lines he'd see that we are all open to inclusiveness, but not at any price.

No that is exactly what I can see. Any price, whether it be large or tiny, you aren't willing to pay it.

TheMaster (Mayo) - Posts: 16187 - 29/09/2015 12:31:06    1793544

The only other country I can think of that plays it anthems and flys its flag at every game is the states (and maybe north korea) and I for one dont want to be classed the same as that. I personally think playing the anthem at some club and smaller county games is disrespectful as its some shoddy ol recording that makes it sound terrible. I draw the comparison of unionists and nationalist alike keeping tattered dirty flags flying in estates. Could we not just have the anthem at finals like every other civilized country?

DoireCityFC (Derry) - Posts: 1580 - 29/09/2015 12:35:19    1793549

"I think he has a point. The fact is, there are people who live on this island who are unionist. If we want to include everyone on the island, we need to find a solution to suit everyone, and not force one faction to make all the sacrifices"

Not just unionists, people from all over the world.

DoireCityFC (Derry) - Posts: 1580 - 29/09/2015 12:37:18    1793552

I would like to ask the OP if they would attend games in say windsor park etc? would you be more inclinded to go if the ni anthem wasnt played and the jack flown?

2 sides to every coin

DoireCityFC (Derry) - Posts: 1580 - 29/09/2015 12:38:23    1793553

Jarlath looking a job in Croker me thinks!!! He should take himself for a walk and have a wee chat to himself!

mmdtc2011 (Tyrone) - Posts: 125 - 29/09/2015 12:38:48    1793554

Ailteoir
@TheMaster - Easy for you to preach about the need to be 'inclusive' where you are. A spell north of the border might show you how 'inclusive' many of those Jarlath Burns feels the need to be sensitive towards really are.

Im not preaching about it Ailteor, Im speaking about it objectively. Generally, not being emotionally involved is in fact the perfect position to find middle ground in any conflict. Also, consider that term for a second 'Middle Ground', generally that would mean you meet in the middle, not force one side to play by your rules or take the ball home with you.

TheMaster (Mayo) - Posts: 16187 - 29/09/2015 12:39:01    1793555

I have to laugh at the mentality of some of the replies on this board. If you lived up here you would know that even if we stopped playing the national anthem and stopped flying the tricolour our national flag and we renamed all our clubs to king billy or prince charles the unionists would still find fault and reasons to feel intimidated. Coming from South Armagh I would have thought Jarlath Burns would know that

rahillyman (Tyrone) - Posts: 314 - 29/09/2015 12:42:38    1793558

"I don't see the problem. The unionist are welcome to enjoy our anthem and salute our flag, etc. Plenty foreign-born players do already, I can't see how it could be a problem for them. And if it really upsets them, just let them do a James McLean on it. I'd gladly teach them the words!"

I think you dont see the problem as you may not have many unionist friends. Everything in the north is symbolic to the masses.

Id love to teach a few of my southern mates the original words that where written in english. My mate from stradbally doesnt even know what hes singing ha ha

DoireCityFC (Derry) - Posts: 1580 - 29/09/2015 12:42:55    1793559

Bit of common sence MesAmis. It would make those big days even bigger

DoireCityFC (Derry) - Posts: 1580 - 29/09/2015 12:43:35    1793560

As ive said before to others Master, feel free to come up to the Shankill or Sandy Row and preach your gospel of inclusivity with your soft southern brogue.

Im sure they'll be delighted to have you..... as their next effigy on one of their bonfires!

bumpernut (Antrim) - Posts: 1852 - 29/09/2015 12:43:58    1793561