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No Tricolour or National Anthem at GAA Matches

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It seems it's the usual those few who cannot be bothered to learn the anthem want rid of it bla bla bla it's in irish because its the anthem of ireland only in modern Ireland would you find so lazy and ignorant people. It's always the same more English than the English themselves type who look for everything that has traditional values to this country to be gotten rid of. Wouldn't be surprised if they were looking for eastenders theme tune instead at this rate.
I love out national anthem I always enjoy it being played before our games, it's a reminder of where the gaa came from and how it was formed,yes we have moved on from them times but it does not mean we should forget our history, if it helps boost people's interest in our language all the better. I love the fact that we display information in both irish and English on public buildings transportation and other areas, just because it don't benifit every single person don't mean it should be gotten rid of.

hill16no1man (Dublin) - Posts: 12665 - 29/11/2016 20:19:57    1937361

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Replying To hill16no1man:  "It seems it's the usual those few who cannot be bothered to learn the anthem want rid of it bla bla bla it's in irish because its the anthem of ireland only in modern Ireland would you find so lazy and ignorant people. It's always the same more English than the English themselves type who look for everything that has traditional values to this country to be gotten rid of. Wouldn't be surprised if they were looking for eastenders theme tune instead at this rate.
I love out national anthem I always enjoy it being played before our games, it's a reminder of where the gaa came from and how it was formed,yes we have moved on from them times but it does not mean we should forget our history, if it helps boost people's interest in our language all the better. I love the fact that we display information in both irish and English on public buildings transportation and other areas, just because it don't benifit every single person don't mean it should be gotten rid of."
What percentage of Dubs on the hill know word-for-word the meaning of our anthem?Are they all lazy?

cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts: 5084 - 29/11/2016 20:36:03    1937365

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they took our flegs!

SaffronDon (Antrim) - Posts: 2386 - 29/11/2016 20:37:07    1937366

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Replying To SaffronDon:  "they took our flegs!"
But they'll never take our kegs!

cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts: 5084 - 29/11/2016 20:48:32    1937370

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Replying To cuederocket:  "Seen as though a large percentage of the population cannot speak Irish and don't know what the hell their singing i would welcome the removal of our anthem before all games.Provincial,League and All Ire finals should suffice.Are we the only country whos anthem very few understand word for word?No doubt all the gaelgoirs and fluent irish speakers will be quick to ridicule my point but if most of the people i go to matches with are anything to go by,none of them know what they are singing for large parts.

Another thing i'd get rid of is the ever more common minutes silence for someone who passed away before nearly every game these days.With 99% of the crowd not knowing who the person is.That should be a private affair for the persons own family and club."
I agree with some of that, and disagree with some of it also. I actually like our anthem, but I agree, playing it before every game can end up reducing it to parody. Especially when its a recording, using a grainy record that would have been considered poor quality in the 1930's. Maybe it would be good enough to just have the anthem played at league, provincial, and AI semi-finals/finals. But at a league game in February, its reduced to a dirge.

And while the minute's silence may be well meaning, it can indeed become problematic when bigger crowds are involved, especially when the subject is not well known (you're just inviting heckles, which can be more upsetting for the relatives of person being remembered). So yeah, I agree, its worth being more judicious in the use of minutes silences, especially at bigger games.

But as for the anthem being in the Irish language, I actually hope that doesn't change. By all means, have the actual content be changed, its militaristic and out of date. But whether we speak it or not, the Irish language is still at least a foundation of Gaelic culture, and indigenous to the country. Having the anthem in that language is culturally unique, and that's not a bad thing for a national anthem to be. Cultural uniqueness isn't necessarily insular, its just an expression of identity, and that's also what the GAA is to many people.

Marlon_JD (Tipperary) - Posts: 1823 - 29/11/2016 20:51:19    1937372

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Replying To keeper7:  "The timing of this statement is peculiar & probably unnecessary. The GAA would surely not be part of any political settlement. If the anthem & flag was offensive to some GAA membership or those with an express interest in our games then it'd be worth considering. Until then, no. Let's not throw the baby out with the bath water without due consideration."
Timing is not that peculiar seeing as it comes days after Sinn Fein launched their policy on a United Ireland. It was presumably in that context that the comments were made. It's surely a non story however as in the event of a new flag and new anthem, which are inevitable if a united Ireland ever comes to pass, then of course the GAA will have to fly the new national flag and play the new national anthem. Anyone in the back woods who thinks we should continue with the existing flag and anthem in such changed circumstances would be on the wrong side of history. Even Sinn Fein recognise these inevitabiliies. Another change might see all Ireland club finals moved to the 12th of July seeing as it will be a new national holiday all across the island!

Onion Breath (Carlow) - Posts: 1412 - 29/11/2016 20:52:22    1937373

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Outrageous comments by Aogain O Fearghaíl, who is he trying to appease. Is he going the same road as Sean Kelly & going entering politics & going all PC all of a sudden. All the basis of what the Gaa was founded on & what made it great, Aogain O Fearghaíl & Padraic Duffy are trying to dismember. The Gaa was built by volunteerism, amateur ethos, love of our native language, our national identity & our National flag. These two guys will go down in history having opened the door for pay for play by giving the GPA 10% of all commercial Gaa revenue. Now O Fearghaíl is saying they are willing to concede our national anthem & flag in lieu of changes on this island. I don't hear the loyalists saying they will compromise their anthem or flags. What's next a hybrid anthem like Ireland's Call & a mosh mash of a flag. Are we trying to be the United Nations, what's wrong with being proud of our native language & proud of our anthem & flag. We will end up changing it every year to suit some body or some group that gets offended, it's a joke. Aogain O Fearghaíl needs to issue a statement as to whether he is entering political life or not. He would be better served sorting out the MESS that is club games & the paid managers at. Lib & county level that are the real issues facing the Gaa. Sickening to see the road the Association is taking.

moc.dna (Galway) - Posts: 1212 - 29/11/2016 20:55:58    1937374

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Replying To Marlon_JD:  "I agree with some of that, and disagree with some of it also. I actually like our anthem, but I agree, playing it before every game can end up reducing it to parody. Especially when its a recording, using a grainy record that would have been considered poor quality in the 1930's. Maybe it would be good enough to just have the anthem played at league, provincial, and AI semi-finals/finals. But at a league game in February, its reduced to a dirge.

And while the minute's silence may be well meaning, it can indeed become problematic when bigger crowds are involved, especially when the subject is not well known (you're just inviting heckles, which can be more upsetting for the relatives of person being remembered). So yeah, I agree, its worth being more judicious in the use of minutes silences, especially at bigger games.

But as for the anthem being in the Irish language, I actually hope that doesn't change. By all means, have the actual content be changed, its militaristic and out of date. But whether we speak it or not, the Irish language is still at least a foundation of Gaelic culture, and indigenous to the country. Having the anthem in that language is culturally unique, and that's not a bad thing for a national anthem to be. Cultural uniqueness isn't necessarily insular, its just an expression of identity, and that's also what the GAA is to many people."
I like the anthem before big games,also.It is a proud moment when everybody stands to attention and faces our flag,but my point is that even though i get the gist of its meaning,i dont understand it word for word.I dont have any Irish at all.I have seen the translation many times but because ive zero gaeilge it is easily forgotten.What percentage of an 80,000 full Croke Park would know the anthem word-for-word in English?I would say very low ; maybe 5-10%.

cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts: 5084 - 29/11/2016 21:01:55    1937375

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Problem is some are ashamed to be Irish. In your county many see themselves as more British than Irish & look down upon native speakers & people proud of their Country. This has followed down through into schools, who don't teach our national anthem anymore. Watch any other international sport you like & watch the way they stand to attention, hand on their heart & singing it with fervour. Watch the Welsh, French, Scottish, we are an embarrasement & we will end up with the Willie Wonka theme tune the way we are going. On second thoughts probably not as it could be viewed as offensive to oompah lumpahs.

moc.dna (Galway) - Posts: 1212 - 29/11/2016 21:16:55    1937380

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Replying To cuederocket:  "But they'll never take our kegs!"
im losin my identity, so i am. i dont know who i am anymore

SaffronDon (Antrim) - Posts: 2386 - 29/11/2016 21:18:00    1937381

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Replying To cuederocket:  "But they'll never take our kegs!"
Lol got there before me

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 29/11/2016 21:18:02    1937382

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For me personally its two separate things,
The anthem, should not be played before every game as it is nonsensical, for national finals well then yes,
The flag? It doesn't matter to me one way or the other, the only flag I am interested in at matches is the Green and gold of the royal.
However I suspect that if the situation arose in a all ire solution that neither the anthem or the flag would remain as both would be seen as symbols of one aide over the other. Actually heard on radio that the anthem would more Tha likely be Danny boy (god help our ears) and the flag would be the harp one. And this seems to be put forward by the most unlikeliest of political parties.
royaldunne (Meath) - Posts:9755 - 29/11/2016 17:47:02I dont see issue with flag flying and agree anthem isnt needed before all games. Finals would be best,

Seen as though a large percentage of the population cannot speak Irish and don't know what the hell their singing i would welcome the removal of our anthem before all games.Provincial,League and All Ire finals should suffice.Are we the only country whos anthem very few understand word for word?No doubt all the gaelgoirs and fluent irish speakers will be quick to ridicule my point but if most of the people i go to matches with are anything to go by,none of them know what they are singing for large parts.
Another thing i'd get rid of is the ever more common minutes silence for someone who passed away before nearly every game these days.With 99% of the crowd not knowing who the person is.That should be a private affair for the persons own family and club.
cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts:4914 - 29/11/2016 18:12:38I dont think you should get rid of minutes silence but stop it for every single person with some slight connection to the GAA...

100%. Get rid of the 1 minutes silence. Its a terrible bore. I wouldnt want it for myself under any circumstances.
The National Athem needs to be re-done, in English and played before provincial and national finals only. The national flag Iv no problem with. If we can do anything to reclaim it from Republicans then im for it.
I think there ll never be a united Ireland. Thats perfectly ok. But if there is then thered be a different flag anyway and national anthem. Probably a harp on a green backround with the union jack in the corner.
bloodyban (Limerick) - Posts:466 - 29/11/2016 19:04:20Why should the anthem be re-done in English?

Outrageous comments by Aogain O Fearghaíl, who is he trying to appease. Is he going the same road as Sean Kelly & going entering politics & going all PC all of a sudden. All the basis of what the Gaa was founded on & what made it great, Aogain O Fearghaíl & Padraic Duffy are trying to dismember. The Gaa was built by volunteerism, amateur ethos, love of our native language, our national identity & our National flag. These two guys will go down in history having opened the door for pay for play by giving the GPA 10% of all commercial Gaa revenue. Now O Fearghaíl is saying they are willing to concede our national anthem & flag in lieu of changes on this island. I don't hear the loyalists saying they will compromise their anthem or flags. What's next a hybrid anthem like Ireland's Call & a mosh mash of a flag. Are we trying to be the United Nations, what's wrong with being proud of our native language & proud of our anthem & flag. We will end up changing it every year to suit some body or some group that gets offended, it's a joke. Aogain O Fearghaíl needs to issue a statement as to whether he is entering political life or not. He would be better served sorting out the MESS that is club games & the paid managers at. Lib & county level that are the real issues facing the Gaa. Sickening to see the road the Association is taking.
moc.dna (Galway) - Posts:238 - 29/11/2016 20:55:58Nothing he said was outrageous though. Where are GPA getting 10% from?

ormondbannerman (Clare) - Posts: 13473 - 29/11/2016 21:27:09    1937385

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Replying To cuederocket:  "I like the anthem before big games,also.It is a proud moment when everybody stands to attention and faces our flag,but my point is that even though i get the gist of its meaning,i dont understand it word for word.I dont have any Irish at all.I have seen the translation many times but because ive zero gaeilge it is easily forgotten.What percentage of an 80,000 full Croke Park would know the anthem word-for-word in English?I would say very low ; maybe 5-10%."
Why does that matter percentages.
Why does it matter if word for word in English to appreciate it in irish.
There's a band called seo Linn I don't know if you are aware of them but they perform English songs in irish and if you go on YouTube and see the comments from people under their videos you might be enlightened to see the international perspective, the overall consensus is how much better they have made songs by hearing it in irish, they don't understand any of the wording but love the sound of the language and the sound of the song.
90% of people at concerts don't know songs word for word but appreciate the music, why is it any different with our national anthem? I would struggle to find a single person in croke park, thurles, clones or castlebar who in a packed ground that doesn't feel the adrenaline pumping when the band blasts out amhran n.a. bhfiann and the hairs on the back of their necks are standing to attention just like the players on the pitch ready to do battle just like those soldiers

hill16no1man (Dublin) - Posts: 12665 - 29/11/2016 21:34:42    1937391

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Replying To hill16no1man:  "Why does that matter percentages.
Why does it matter if word for word in English to appreciate it in irish.
There's a band called seo Linn I don't know if you are aware of them but they perform English songs in irish and if you go on YouTube and see the comments from people under their videos you might be enlightened to see the international perspective, the overall consensus is how much better they have made songs by hearing it in irish, they don't understand any of the wording but love the sound of the language and the sound of the song.
90% of people at concerts don't know songs word for word but appreciate the music, why is it any different with our national anthem? I would struggle to find a single person in croke park, thurles, clones or castlebar who in a packed ground that doesn't feel the adrenaline pumping when the band blasts out amhran n.a. bhfiann and the hairs on the back of their necks are standing to attention just like the players on the pitch ready to do battle just like those soldiers"
I appreciate good music,hill,but the Irish anthem is not a good tune in comparison to Wales,USA,Scotland,France,Argentina,Germany,Italy etc.I think we all appreciate the significance and importance of it but a good musical piece it is not and the fact very few know the words is a bit unusual.

cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts: 5084 - 29/11/2016 21:49:24    1937397

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All-Ireland finals only for the anthem , the flag should stay, most countries fly their flag at Arena's, or do they? The anthem itself lyrically is outdated and irrelevant.

KerryKillers (Dublin) - Posts: 711 - 29/11/2016 21:49:32    1937398

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Replying To cuederocket:  "I appreciate good music,hill,but the Irish anthem is not a good tune in comparison to Wales,USA,Scotland,France,Argentina,Germany,Italy etc.I think we all appreciate the significance and importance of it but a good musical piece it is not and the fact very few know the words is a bit unusual."
I happen to feel its by far the best of them countries you named.
plenty alike will feel the same, like it or not it's out anthem and just because a few have a problem with it isn't grounds for changing something.

hill16no1man (Dublin) - Posts: 12665 - 29/11/2016 22:17:25    1937401

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Replying To KerryKillers:  "All-Ireland finals only for the anthem , the flag should stay, most countries fly their flag at Arena's, or do they? The anthem itself lyrically is outdated and irrelevant."
I totally agree re anthem.
Also ill give you a prime example of anthem nonsense and when its played. In first week of Jan Meath will play dit/Laois /Wicklow in first rd O'Byrne, anthem (dreadful scratching version) will be played in navan. Should Meath reach Leinster semi final playing in game one v Kildare say in croke park with approximately 40/50 no anthem will be played. As that will be reserved for 2 game.

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 29/11/2016 22:19:25    1937402

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Replying To royaldunne:  "I totally agree re anthem.
Also ill give you a prime example of anthem nonsense and when its played. In first week of Jan Meath will play dit/Laois /Wicklow in first rd O'Byrne, anthem (dreadful scratching version) will be played in navan. Should Meath reach Leinster semi final playing in game one v Kildare say in croke park with approximately 40/50 no anthem will be played. As that will be reserved for 2 game."
It's kind of the Meath county boards fault that they don't have a proper version not the gaa

hill16no1man (Dublin) - Posts: 12665 - 29/11/2016 22:28:49    1937405

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Sorry Ormondbannerman that was a typo it should read 15%. The Gaa under the stewardship of O Fearghaíl & Duffy & the negotiating team signed a deal earlier this year for a three year term with the GPA for €2.5 million minimum a year or 15% of all commercial Gaa revenue if greater. Of course O Fearghail's comments are outrageous, I don't see any national debate on the matter or any other side looking for this as compromise. Did he consult the matter with Gaa grassroots to get feedback on the matter, no. He went on a solo run & his comments will be very divisive within the Gaa, I for one completely disagree & don't like the way a path is being prepared to make this happen within Gaa leadership. A nation without a language, anthem & national flag is nothing but a pieballed pony, a nation without identity has no pride, no values & no structure & stands for nothing. I have vast experience of travelling this country & let me tell you, changing flags & anthems is not going to appease loyalists who have NO intention of compromising theirs.

moc.dna (Galway) - Posts: 1212 - 29/11/2016 22:31:39    1937406

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Replying To hill16no1man:  "I happen to feel its by far the best of them countries you named.
plenty alike will feel the same, like it or not it's out anthem and just because a few have a problem with it isn't grounds for changing something."
Who wants it changed?It is ours for good or bad.I'm proud of it but dont think its a great anthem to be honest.There's no need for it to be played before so many games.Keep it for the big games.

cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts: 5084 - 29/11/2016 22:35:27    1937407

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