Noticed this on the BBC website (see
http://www.hoganstand.com/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=263730

Basically says the GAA President whilst on the All Star tour in Dubai has suggested that the association may stop playing the national anthem and flying the Irish tricolour at matches.

What do you think of that ?

KerryLondoner (Kerry) - Posts: 41 - 29/11/2016 15:49:26    1937257

I'm ok not playing the anthem, maybe only play it in finals, but I'd be against removing the irish flag, maybe remove it when Northern Irish teams are playing, but other than that I'd be against removing the flag

rebelfan (Cork) - Posts: 70 - 29/11/2016 16:02:13    1937262

Not the end of the world.

Donegalman (None) - Posts: 3830 - 29/11/2016 16:03:23    1937263

It's all headlines - read what he said. Essentially the GAA would be open to getting rid of the current flag and anthem as part of some all Ireland agreement. What he is saying is the GAA won't stand in the way of some future political agreement. Not happening anytime soon.

zinny (Wexford) - Posts: 1799 - 29/11/2016 16:18:05    1937270

It wouldn't really bother me to be honest. I personally think the playing of Amhrán na bhFiann before every single championship match is demeaning to the anthem.

I'd have no problem if the national flag and national anthem were removed from GAA games however I understand that some people, particularly those in the six counties, may object and I respect those objections.

MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13704 - 29/11/2016 16:20:21    1937271

Nothing of the sort was said complete non story. Media reporting of this very wide of the mark and we get the usual social media aggro whenever someone at the GAA says anything.

RoyalBadger (Meath) - Posts: 571 - 29/11/2016 16:20:43    1937272

why? why should they be removed?

If people are offended by the national anthem and a national flag being present at that country's national games then they should not attend matches. If they have that type of gripe with it they must have some anti Irishness about them.

We need to stop trying to please everyone. Our flag should fly proudly in every GAA ground and the anthem should continue to be played before intercounty games

Brianmac78 (Dublin) - Posts: 1168 - 29/11/2016 16:23:34    1937275

Playing it before championship matches is grand but playing it before meaningless pre season and league matches is unnecessary. I'd be all for cutting back on how often the anthem is played during the year.

mike03 (Limerick) - Posts: 2000 - 29/11/2016 17:18:47    1937286

Llaw_Gyffes (Mayo) - Posts: 1113 - 29/11/2016 17:18:52    1937287

No Tricolour or National Anthem at GAA Matches
Noticed this on the BBC website (see
http://www.hoganstand.com/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=263730
Basically says the GAA President whilst on the All Star tour in Dubai has suggested that the association may stop playing the national anthem and flying the Irish tricolour at matches.
What do you think of that?
KerryLondoner (Kerry) - Posts:40 - 29/11/2016 15:49:26 Not a bad idea. Anthem doesn't need to be played prior to every game

I'm ok not playing the anthem, maybe only play it in finals, but I'd be against removing the irish flag, maybe remove it when Northern Irish teams are playing, but other than that I'd be against removing the flag
rebelfan (Cork) - Posts:26 - 29/11/2016 16:02:13What would be wrong with not having flag flown?


It wouldn't really bother me to be honest. I personally think the playing of Amhrán na bhFiann before every single championship match is demeaning to the anthem.
I'd have no problem if the national flag and national anthem were removed from GAA games however I understand that some people, particularly those in the six counties, may object and I respect those objections.
MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts:10284 - 29/11/2016 16:20:21 I would agree with you on anthem before all games is demeaning...

why? why should they be removed?
If people are offended by the national anthem and a national flag being present at that country's national games then they should not attend matches. If they have that type of gripe with it they must have some anti Irishness about them.
We need to stop trying to please everyone. Our flag should fly proudly in every GAA ground and the anthem should continue to be played before intercounty games
Brianmac78 (Dublin) - Posts:1080 - 29/11/2016 16:23:34Why should anthem be played before every inter county game?

ormondbannerman (Clare) - Posts: 13473 - 29/11/2016 17:44:58    1937303

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: 19449 - 29/11/2016 17:47:02    1937304

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: 5084 - 29/11/2016 18:12:38    1937313

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 29/11/2016 18:38:24    1937325

cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts: 5084 - 29/11/2016 18:53:52    1937331

bloodyban (Limerick) - Posts: 1710 - 29/11/2016 19:04:20    1937335

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 29/11/2016 19:19:15    1937339

The flag should always be displayed.
The National Anthem should also be played.
If they get away with this rubbish the next thing we will have is that bloody Ireland's Call rubbish.

Cavan_Slasher (Cavan) - Posts: 10253 - 29/11/2016 19:24:51    1937340

If we can do anything to reclaim it from Republicans then im for it.

What does that even mean?

It's the flag of a Republic. It is a republican flag.

How can you "reclaim" a republican flag from republicans?

As daft a thing as I've seen in awhile.

MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13704 - 29/11/2016 19:29:47    1937342

We should have more respect for our national anthem and reserve it for major occasions like the All-Ireland finals. Surely we are confident enough in who we are without having our anthem beaten to death by most awful bands or even worse, from a cracked cd over a wonky pa system, before every game. Spectators don't even respect it enough to wait for it to finish before roaring and cheering for their respective teams (not for the anthem). BTW does any poster know the reasons given initially for starting this practice.

neverright (Roscommon) - Posts: 1648 - 29/11/2016 19:34:20    1937345

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.

keeper7 (Longford) - Posts: 4088 - 29/11/2016 19:35:42    1937347