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Question for our Southern Brethren

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I used to be pro '6 county teams' although this has reduced when I realised from going to games that some supporters of these counties have a dislike for the 'free state' and always feel 'the free staters' are out to get them. Some teams I like, I like Derry, I worked with people from Derry and have visited the city, I like Armagh (they traditionally played a hard brand of football like Meath traditionally played) although this has waned since McGeeney became their manager, I like Down (traditionally have a great confident attitude when they play matches even when they are underdogs). bdbuddah (Meath) - Posts: 1354 - 15/06/2016 09:43:59 1867034 Link
Replying To bdbuddah: "I used to be pro '6 county teams' although this has reduced when I realised from going to games that some supporters of these counties have a dislike for the 'free state' and always feel 'the free staters' are out to get them. Some teams I like, I like Derry, I worked with people from Derry and have visited the city, I like Armagh (they traditionally played a hard brand of football like Meath traditionally played) although this has waned since McGeeney became their manager, I like Down (traditionally have a great confident attitude when they play matches even when they are underdogs)." So you dislike Tyrone for whatever reason deducing from this thread. Why? they are no different to the other teams you mentioned. Donegalman (None) - Posts: 3830 - 15/06/2016 10:13:44 1867059 Link
Replying To bdbuddah: "I used to be pro '6 county teams' although this has reduced when I realised from going to games that some supporters of these counties have a dislike for the 'free state' and always feel 'the free staters' are out to get them. Some teams I like, I like Derry, I worked with people from Derry and have visited the city, I like Armagh (they traditionally played a hard brand of football like Meath traditionally played) although this has waned since McGeeney became their manager, I like Down (traditionally have a great confident attitude when they play matches even when they are underdogs)." I genuinely don't know why the term 'free state' offends so much tbh, given that it is only a statement of fact. Part of the irish state is free, the other part isn't. bumpernut (Antrim) - Posts: 1852 - 15/06/2016 10:17:56 1867060 Link
Replying To IrishGael3: "What an embarrassing comment - embarrassing for the person who made it. Crazy stuff and I'm sure not a fair reflection of the good people from Tipp or maybe Kerry based on his username." I think he meant "one particular team" rather than any team, though I may be wrong s goldrick (Cavan) - Posts: 5518 - 15/06/2016 10:33:49 1867068 Link
My first Football team to support was the Down team of 1994 as a young lad! Was a big fan of the Armagh team also. Nothing against Tyrone people but I got bored of the brand of football they played. Growing up Tipp couldn't win a game so in general I probably followed the Northern teams more. I don't think too many down South think like you have suggested. Maybe people closer to the border do... tiobraid (Tipperary) - Posts: 4119 - 15/06/2016 11:19:51 1867097 Link
Replying To Donegalman: "So you dislike Tyrone for whatever reason deducing from this thread. Why? they are no different to the other teams you mentioned." Tyrone, seldom I would support them, more often I wouldn't. I did not like the witch hunt of Martin O'Connell after the 1996 semi-final. Having said that I like Mickey Heart and Peter Canavan. It was nice when they won their first a good few years ago (I supported them in the 2003 final although was hoping Kerry would win in 2008) although their style of football was bad to watch and they really were a big step in the move away from the traditional way of how Gaelic football was played. In recent times they seem to be innovators in a negative way again, I hate seeing some of their players diving. Of the other counties I didn't mention, I would have some time for Antrim the way they are keeping at their hurling despite being so isolated and Fermanagh, again I would have some time for Fermanagh, they seem to do relatively well despite having a small pick. Actually now when I go through the '6 county' teams one by one maybe I am more in favour of them than I thought. I seem to have a positive opinion of 5 out of 6!. bdbuddah (Meath) - Posts: 1354 - 15/06/2016 11:55:49 1867120 Link
Replying To bumpernut: "I genuinely don't know why the term 'free state' offends so much tbh, given that it is only a statement of fact. Part of the irish state is free, the other part isn't." It seems to be said as a put down by going back going back to when the state was founded. bdbuddah (Meath) - Posts: 1354 - 15/06/2016 12:07:58 1867125 Link
Replying To bumpernut: "I genuinely don't know why the term 'free state' offends so much tbh, given that it is only a statement of fact. Part of the irish state is free, the other part isn't." But it isn't a statement of fact, given that the Irish Free State hasn't existed since 1937. I had the misfortune on one occasion to be sat at a dinner table with a woman from the North who disparagingly referred to "the Free State" and "Free Staters" throughout the meal, with obvious disgust (and despite, it emerged, that she earned her living in Dundalk). I resisted the temptation to point out that the country has been called Éire since 1937, and also didn't refer to her as a "Taig", "Nordy" or any other silly epithet. I have also observed a tendency by some people from the North to use those terms following a contentious decision against county teams from that region. Honestly, have you ever heard that term being used affectionately? I haven't. I understand the historical background on these issues and also why northern nationalists may rightly feel sensitive about perceived slights from people in the southern jurisdiction. But I would also have an aversion to people who seemingly resent me for something that happened nearly seventy years before I was born. We are all Gaels here. Gleebo (Mayo) - Posts: 2208 - 15/06/2016 12:43:01 1867154 Link
Yeah im aware of the connotation some apply to it and the history behind it, however, I suppose it would also depend what side of the political fence you sit on. If im honest I would use the 'west brit' term more if I wanted to offend. I genuinely use the expression free state on a regular basis when discussing anything down south, probably as much to highlight that we aren't free up here. bumpernut (Antrim) - Posts: 1852 - 15/06/2016 12:58:32 1867171 Link
Replying To s goldrick: "I think he meant "one particular team" rather than any team, though I may be wrong" Yes I did and we all know who this team is. Their legend has spread across the Atlantic. I loved the 1991/1994 Down team and 1993 Derry team. Johnny McGuirk's point in the 93 semi final was iconic. Mickey Linden was one of my favourite football, he could nearly make the ball talk. I think most rational fans would support an underdog who conducts themselves in the right way. Unfortunately some teams are unable to rise above petty behaviour. Killarney.87 (Tipperary) - Posts: 2513 - 15/06/2016 14:09:02 1867218 Link
see above Gleebo! bumpernut (Antrim) - Posts: 1852 - 15/06/2016 14:12:33 1867219 Link
Oh and Gleebo you do know that you're a 'taig' also! bumpernut (Antrim) - Posts: 1852 - 15/06/2016 14:14:34 1867221 Link
Oh and Gleebo you do know that you're a 'taig' also! bumpernut (Antrim) - Posts:1281 - 15/06/2016 14:14:34 I do, but I'm not as likely to come across it as an insult in my neck of the woods ;) Free State is also sometimes used disparagingly by Unionists, is it not? You're being very literal IMO if you're referring to the Irish Free State in terms of liberty- sure there were several systematic abuses of human rights down there for decades, and it's not like state names always reflect the character of a place accurately anyway. How many decidedly authoritarian states have the word 'democratic' in their official name, for instance? Gleebo (Mayo) - Posts: 2208 - 15/06/2016 14:30:24 1867227 Link
Replying To Gleebo: " Oh and Gleebo you do know that you're a 'taig' also! bumpernut (Antrim) - Posts:1281 - 15/06/2016 14:14:34 I do, but I'm not as likely to come across it as an insult in my neck of the woods ;) Free State is also sometimes used disparagingly by Unionists, is it not? You're being very literal IMO if you're referring to the Irish Free State in terms of liberty- sure there were several systematic abuses of human rights down there for decades, and it's not like state names always reflect the character of a place accurately anyway. How many decidedly authoritarian states have the word 'democratic' in their official name, for instance?" Ive certainly have never heard a unionist mention it as imo it would be completely contrary to their views on the status of both states, maybe others have! I probably also use it at times to annoy them, so welcome to our world of grey! bumpernut (Antrim) - Posts: 1852 - 15/06/2016 14:45:58 1867239 Link
Replying To Gleebo: " Oh and Gleebo you do know that you're a 'taig' also! bumpernut (Antrim) - Posts:1281 - 15/06/2016 14:14:34 I do, but I'm not as likely to come across it as an insult in my neck of the woods ;) Free State is also sometimes used disparagingly by Unionists, is it not? You're being very literal IMO if you're referring to the Irish Free State in terms of liberty- sure there were several systematic abuses of human rights down there for decades, and it's not like state names always reflect the character of a place accurately anyway. How many decidedly authoritarian states have the word 'democratic' in their official name, for instance?" North Korea and China for starters. East Germany before the wall came down. Not sure beyond that, probably loads. Haha Free State now there's a term that would confuse most over here! In my circle, I've kind of half got them trained, they refer to "the north" rather than "Northern Ireland" but then blot their copybooks calling us "the republic" rather than Ireland. Oh, Congo as well (democratic republic of, that is) MedwayIrish (Wexford) - Posts: 2324 - 15/06/2016 14:46:23 1867240 Link
such nonsense, we are all Irish people and fellow countrymen/women. West Belfast or Westport, it's all the same country, just because a part of it is occupied by a foreign country doen't make it any less Irish, so enough of this northern/southern nonsense. ps Mayo 4 Sam Tom1916 (Armagh) - Posts: 2001 - 15/06/2016 14:54:54 1867243 Link
"I resisted the temptation to point out that the country has been called Éire since 1937..."- Gleebo Good thing you did too, as you would have been wrong, unless you were speaking as Gaeilge. It is called Ireland in English, as the first line of the Constitution states. PS I use the term 'Free State' frequently as well. Would never have considered it an insult. It's shorter to say than '26 counties' or 'Republic of Ireland', Maybe those who use it are just lazier! an tseabhac (Kerry) - Posts: 441 - 15/06/2016 17:10:01 1867317 Link
Replying To an tseabhac: ""I resisted the temptation to point out that the country has been called Éire since 1937..."- Gleebo Good thing you did too, as you would have been wrong, unless you were speaking as Gaeilge. It is called Ireland in English, as the first line of the Constitution states. PS I use the term 'Free State' frequently as well. Would never have considered it an insult. It's shorter to say than '26 counties' or 'Republic of Ireland', Maybe those who use it are just lazier!" If only certain people would use the same logic when describing the city of Derry!! MedwayIrish (Wexford) - Posts: 2324 - 15/06/2016 17:30:25 1867326 Link
REDANDBLACK30 as you are one of my "Southern Brethren" I am deeply embarrassed by this question. Some lad shouted something in the 70's (or so your granny says, I know mine was inclined to a good story) and then in 2016 you decide to go online and ask does the majority of your country hate a small number of teams because they are further north than them or from the "six counties" Chip on the shoulder doesn't begin to describe you. DoireCityFC (Derry) - Posts: 1580 - 15/06/2016 18:43:11 1867350 Link
MedwayIrish they do thankfully the exception be a few (mainly in Down and Antrim due to what they are fed growing up) Gladly even our new council which is Derry/Tyrone have agreed to restore the rightful name. It took a while but sadly most of us are not as progressive as the apprentice boys of Derry DoireCityFC (Derry) - Posts: 1580 - 15/06/2016 18:53:42 1867355 Link