The 1st ever Northern Ireland Secretary of State to attend a GAA match. Took his seat after the playing of Amhrán na bhFiann, apparently.

link

keeper7 (Longford) - Posts: 4088 - 28/01/2017 21:52:38    1949586

Whilst encouraging it's a bit disappointing he didn't respect our national anthem.

sean og (Armagh) - Posts: 1053 - 29/01/2017 18:11:59    1949826

Donegalman (None) - Posts: 3830 - 29/01/2017 18:26:30    1949833

He should have stood for our National Anthem after being invited to attend our national games.

Tom1916 (Armagh) - Posts: 2001 - 29/01/2017 20:15:23    1949873

Was it he took his seat after anthem cause he stood for anthen, I think as a MP he would stand for anthen of any country and vice versa, it's diplomacy, however in a land that is technically British playing a foreign anthen it may have been problematic for his position as secretary of state of a British government. But the big picture is that he came to game, hope he enjoyed the match.

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 29/01/2017 20:59:06    1949907

I'm actually inclined to agree with rd. bit by bit lads

gotmilk (Fermanagh) - Posts: 4971 - 29/01/2017 21:31:41    1949920

his attendance is nothing more than a political manoeuvre. Villiers was an absolute car crash appointment before him so he is just trying to compensate a little. They are all full of sh×te anyway!

SaffronDon (Antrim) - Posts: 2385 - 29/01/2017 22:15:40    1949937

Yeah and the today he releases a statement criticising the investigation into murders carried out by the British Army and RUC not to mention their collusion with loyalist gun gangs during 30 long years in the north. As far as I'm concerned I'd rather he wouldn't use our national games for a photo op.

benched (Tyrone) - Posts: 534 - 29/01/2017 22:26:20    1949942

God Save the Queen was played at Croke Park before England V Ireland rugby match...dont think people stayed outside until it was over??

hurler32 (Limerick) - Posts: 867 - 29/01/2017 22:28:30    1949943

Have no time for politicians of any persuasion, but at least he made the effort to attend. Maybe he could teach some of the so called unionist politicians how to make an effort to reach out and understand the others cultural games. Not that long ago the sf minister for sport attended a ni soccer game and also came in after the anthem and was also vilified for not respecting the anthem. It's 2016 for fsake time to get over this obsession with flegs, emblems and anthems and applaud people for the gesture even if it is for show. On a cold jan night I suppose the dup team was filling up the wood pellet hoppers to get more cash for ash before the money dries up. Did Aogan and Michael hasson come out late as well or did the sos come out on his own to take his seat?

bulmccabe (Tyrone) - Posts: 361 - 29/01/2017 22:31:10    1949944

Irelands Call coming to a stadium near you soon, we must rid ourselves of our national identity, flag & anthem if Aoghain O Fearghail has his way, we must make Unionists & Loyalists welcome even if they still retain their Union Jacks & God save the Queen while we get rid of ours. Pure political posturing by people who want to enter politics.

moc.dna (Galway) - Posts: 1212 - 29/01/2017 23:02:42    1949951