I have to say I really enjoyed the Banter here yesterday and enjoyed winding Horse (who fair play to him has ploughed a lone furrow largely) in much of this debate. I now want to make a few quick points about how I really feel about this.

- We are all contributing to a GAA forum,the majority of us follow and are paid members of GAA clubs therefore this makes us all 'Gaels'.

- I don't agree with equating 'free-state *******' to 'British *******' between Gaels. Don't get me wrong I've been called the free-state version on holiday, on building sites, football fields and terraces and often didn't like it, but then it was meant to annoy me. I've also been called it in jest by friends from Carrickmore, Ballymena, Belleek, Ballygawley and Forkhill and thought it hilariously funny. The big difference I see here is that as far as being a Gael goes (and this stretches outside of hurling, football, handball and a half set & recitation at Scór) we do live in the Free-State, we are free-staters and therefore don't see it any different tio being called a Meath *******, Ratoath ******* or a fat ******* depending on what ignorant idiot is spitting fire at me.

Our nationalist northern brethern to me (as was impressed on me in my upbringing) are every bit as much a Gael as I only that they were brought up in a surpressed part of Ireland. The fact of the matter to me is that while this to some might seem a bit old fashioned it is exactly why the GAA was set up and on these very ideals. There wouldn't have been a game between Laois and Armagh last weekend if an association wasn't set up to cater to the sporting aspect of Gaelic (i.e Irish) life and if found guilty, in my eyes the Laois player has broken possibly the stongest mission (never mind rule) the GAA was built on in claiming in most vulgar terms that the Armagh player is British and not a Gael at all. That it is said that he went eye to eye with him and screamed it in his face should see the book thrown at him. That is of course, as Horse rightly points out, if it really did happen.

-

rath_togh (Meath) - Posts: 740 - 22/03/2012 17:39:33    1135036

- I have found myself lately when a news story breaks about players suspensions, injuries etc, searching the twitter machine - as I did yesterday of the accused - to see what their own views or statements are on the matter. The man himself hasn't, or at least hadn't mentioned the accusation and rightly so. What did strike me though was that his twitty page is dedicated to Liverpool FC. The first thing you see is a LFC picture and his bio is something like I love Liverpool FC. It goes to show you that he is an example, a case in point of the confusion that is the 21st Century Irish/Gael. If Sunday's story is true here is a man who called a fellow Gael a Britsh B******d and his 1st Statement to the Globe on the Worldwide web is more or less Hi my name is _____________ and I have the LFC wallpaper, slippers, pencil case and replica jersey. That to me is half of grown men in Ireland. They claim to hate the Brits but couldn't go a day without The Sun, The Star, Coronation Street or Premiership. You'd think it'd be far easier to be one or the other or neither.

For the record I also think McKeever is nothing short of a coward. Colm O'Rourke marked his card nicely for him following his ballet display with Tom Ó Sé. O'Rourke said of him that day that for a man who likes to act the hard man going around wanting to sort everyone out he's not too manly himself. Frankly I'm not impressed that he, Grimley and Co. did not report this alleged incicent to the CCC before going public and didn't realise this yesterday. McKeever needs to serve his ban and the next time he's red carded get off the bloody field. Regardless of the alleged provocation that he elected to kick the Laois player rather than punch him like most normal persons would further discredits him in my eyes.

If true, the story still to me has a somewhat humorous side to it given the historical significance of Laois' relationship with England amd has In will admit provided me with much entertainment over the past day or so.

Also Ulsterman you are a wonderful scribe but you do have a huge chip on your shoulder

rath_togh (Meath) - Posts: 740 - 22/03/2012 17:40:02    1135037

From a story on the main page:
"It was agreed that allegations made by Armagh County Board in their statement do not accurately reflect what occurred in O'Moore Park."

Hmm if that is the case then some Armagh officials (including half of this board) were throwing around some fairly serious allegations that were all based on bunkum!

Andy (Laois) - Posts: 371 - 22/03/2012 17:44:21    1135039

Everyone is missing the point.

Croke Park yet again have failed to act. COWARDS that is what they are. They should have come out and made a stand. But I agree with something from Ulster Gaels, if by chance a rugby player was remarked badly, well the Dublin press would be falling overthemselves calling it a stain on our country double standards regarding this issue.
Instead Coward Park left Amagh Board back there player Laois backs there player which is normal in GAA land, where is this zero tolerance from Coward Park. If it was Paul Galvin sledging or Ryan McMenamin saying something low and behold world war 2.

CROKE PARK ARE TO BLAME FOR BEEN COWARDS.

Also bringing Derrytresk and Dromid into this is noncense. Different issue. Stick to the point.

Peace_On (Kerry) - Posts: 53 - 22/03/2012 17:53:41    1135049

Make a stand over what?

Coylers Elbow (Meath) - Posts: 1075 - 22/03/2012 18:01:15    1135060

Its not a different issue peace on.Its a different game but not a different issue.Some of the people here who are immediately condemning Laois are the same guys who criticised the southern media for immediately condemning derrytresk.Its total hypocrisy.

TheRoad (Galway) - Posts: 1339 - 22/03/2012 18:10:17    1135067

If there is any good in all of this it is being confronted with our own prejudices, bias, stereotyping and over sensitivity. We all have preconceptions of others and many of them are misplaced, ill judged and pure bunkum; however that still doesn't prevent most of us from still holding those particular views. I played sport, worked and socialised with Protestant fellas in the North who were good blokes but if something happened like a provocative Orange march or Loyalist killing it still didn't stop me from tarring ALL Unionists as hateful bigoted so and so's; the same thing is happening here. Derrytresk go one in all in against Dromid and the Southern media and GAA community goes ballistic in what many in the North sen was an unfair, biased tirade against Ulster football and Northern people in general. The response here was "sure what would you expect they are all yellow Unionist loving West Brits down there". The facts and common sense from people in both jurisdictions was lost in a fog of whataboutery. There is a dangerous chasm, mistrust and serious dislike developing on both sides of the border within the GAA and society in general and that's surely not what we as a people should be about. I watched Feargal Keane's Story Of Ireland on RTE these past few weeks and it was sad to see a nation of Gaels once united in the fight against tyranny, oppression and colonialism now so divided. It was an Ulster army under the O'Neill's that marched South and gave Cromwell his only defeat on Irish soil at the Battle Of Clonmel. As Feargal Keane stated Ulster was the always the hub of rebellion against foreign rule in Ireland; it was the strongest part of the island for the Irish language, music, religion and Gaelic culture and that's why the English Crown so cruelly forged the Plantation on the province. Armagh, especially South Armagh, had a terrible time during the past 40 years and lost many people including children so shouting "British b*stard" or "God Save The Queen" in an Armagh man's face is going to provoke a reaction. It is time to reestablish old links and forge new ones on the island. What's gone is gone and what's been said has been said, leave it in the past, wise up and move on.

Ulsterman (Antrim) - Posts: 9825 - 22/03/2012 18:10:19    1135068

Ulsterman you are a genious! You are by far the best and most passionate
essay writer on Hoganstand. There is a conspiracy in the heart of croke park
and I know you will get to the bottom of it.
Keep the faith, :)

TheGateKeeper (Tyrone) - Posts: 2843 - 22/03/2012 18:11:33    1135070

Its not a different issue peace on.Its a different game but not a different issue.Some of the people here who are immediately condemning Laois are the same guys who criticised the southern media for immediately condemning derrytresk.Its total hypocrisy.
Theroad

He talks of hypocricy! Ohh, the irony…..
:)

TheGateKeeper (Tyrone) - Posts: 2843 - 22/03/2012 18:14:16    1135072

Fine post ulsterman but why do I get the feeling your conciliatory tone will be all too short lived.
P.S.Thegatekeeper,its spelt GENIUS

TheRoad (Galway) - Posts: 1339 - 22/03/2012 18:17:32    1135073

The joint statement that's on the home page means Armagh were making it up? Really? Would they stoop that low?

Beo (Laois) - Posts: 15 - 22/03/2012 18:18:40    1135074

Ulsterman

You're change of tune from earlier posts are like Gar Public and Gar Private from Philadelphia Here I Come Did you just have a personality transplant or are you really so moved by this coming together of North and South on this thread? Only an hour ago I was roaring laughing at the big Dr. Phill dress-down you gave everyone south of the border

rath_togh (Meath) - Posts: 740 - 22/03/2012 18:21:33    1135077

P.S.Thegatekeeper,its spelt GENIUS
theroad

Thanks theroad. I spelt hypocrisy wrong also, and I have a dictionary beside me! :)

TheGateKeeper (Tyrone) - Posts: 2843 - 22/03/2012 18:26:26    1135080

Wonderful play rath from Ireland's greatest living writer Brian Friel, I studied it at school and have fond memories. Indeed the comparison is not unfair, I can be a bit Gar like at times but I know my own faults and limitations and can admit when I am wrong; can some others on here say that? Are my criticisms of the largely corrupt Southern bodypolitik wrong? Is Irish society in 2012 not more unfair, angrier, selfish and intolerant? It's a pity the non-GAA board was still not in force to discuss these matters further as the Mahon Tribunal would be a great topic.

Ulsterman (Antrim) - Posts: 9825 - 22/03/2012 18:35:08    1135088

Ulsterman

you're some outfit, but at least you say what you feel! As for the other stuff, political corruption is rampant the world over unfortunately. Stormont's only a pup give it a chance to get off the t*t and you'll see more than Iris and Peter doing more self than public service. That said though today is a sad, expensive, depressing day. Can't believe I help pay PF's pension.

rath_togh (Meath) - Posts: 740 - 22/03/2012 18:45:34    1135102

I'd take the whole episode with a pinch of salt lads. Idiotic remarks. Wouldnt expect a whole lot more, sure the Laois lads are still confused with the Carlow county border

Passer_By (Carlow) - Posts: 537 - 22/03/2012 18:56:48    1135111

That's funny that Armagh should take such a huff over someones attempt to be funny or to rile them. It wasn't funny but it certainly succeded in riling them. It wasn't nice but BOO HOO.
Some supporter from a six-county team told me one time that he hated "Staters". (I'm from Kerry like). Maybe I should have complained of racial abuse that time? But then who'd listen? I think I'm nearly over it now though after years of counselling and therapy. Winning the odd All-Ireland has proven to be very therapeutic too. I love it!
Enough crying already Armagh!

Liameen (USA) - Posts: 38 - 22/03/2012 19:02:46    1135114

Why isnt the joint statement getting more attention?
"It was agreed that allegations made by the Armagh county board do not accurately reflect what happened in O Moore park"!!!!

TheRoad (Galway) - Posts: 1339 - 22/03/2012 19:04:53    1135116

Your tone has changed Ulsterman. Something to do with the joint statement and the Armagh climb down maybe?????

georgelee (Louth) - Posts: 523 - 22/03/2012 19:10:39    1135120

TheRoad

I think you'll find given that we haven't heard from Paddy O'Rourke in all of this that he didn't agree with the (public) course taken by the County Board and also the reference to Armagh's original allegation not being totally accurate would probably elude to the use of the word 'racism' which was an unfortunate use of a very improper and self-destructive word. I'd imagine it also helped dialogue that Justin is an Armagh man

rath_togh (Meath) - Posts: 740 - 22/03/2012 19:13:58    1135125