I don't think Amhrán na bhFiann was high up on the school syilbis when I was at school and I guarantee you it still isn't A* is what my old school was keen on their pupils attaining .

fortyfive (Tyrone) - Posts: 5929 - 24/07/2013 17:10:52    1441395

Real_Slim_Shady
County: Meath
Posts: 72

1440999 Get rid of it altogether. Singing national anthems at intercounty fixtures has no place in today's society and should be dropped for several reasons:

1. There are no competing nations involved - whatever reasons there are for playing it at international events there are none at national events.
2. 80% (or higher) of those present don't know the words. Everyone will profess to but in reality most of those in attendance could not belt it out from start to finish and end up muttering the words once they get beyond the opening lines.
3. In an increasingly multi cultural society more non nationals are attending and playing games. This maybe relatively low but why should some lad who is playing for a county despite not being Irish be subjected to this nationalistic ritual?
4. Its not respected by fans. "Come on Meath/Dublin/Da Lillies" etc gets roared earlier and earlier before the end of the thing making a mockery of the entire affair.

I can sense the tsunami of objections I am going to get on this one but I have always believed this is one of the more embarrassing parts of a day out at a GAA match.

Let the attacks begin!




Good points well made. I often find myself thinking during the anthem what a pointless act it really is. Very different from doing it at an international event as you say.

MayoMark (Mayo) - Posts: 332 - 24/07/2013 18:20:48    1441468

Some people are nationalistic in the GAA, some are not. Some hold tradition to the core, some do not. Some consider the games as an expression of something uniquely Irish, some see it as merely another sport, just coincidentally Irish to be played and enjoyed. I'm of the latter, i see it as another sport and much prefer to see any political connotations kept away. Politics has one arena, sport has another in my view.

But my view is not expressed by all, what the lie of the land is on this issue i'm unsure. But i do think many younger people whilst proudly Irish, are more than antipathetic to what may be considered un-neccessary hangovers from the associations beginnings. The anthem is one of them. Its just not really necessary to play it before every game. It would have a rightful place at showcase finals but not really anywhere else.

Unfortunately, were this to go to congress it wouldn't pass due to the strong bias of older stock who occupy the higher ranks. I imagine Ulster counties may strongly object, but my point is more about aesthetics, i just don't feel its relevant anymore bar finals as it more often that not mutes a pre-match atmosphere.

seany16 (Dublin) - Posts: 1663 - 24/07/2013 19:10:12    1441503

it has to remain as it was one of the core values of the gaa to keep irish culture alive.
amazingly ireland now faces the same challeneg with so much british and american influence through diferant mediums these days our culture is slowly dying out anything the gaa can do to keep it alive should be commended

hill16no1man (Dublin) - Posts: 12665 - 24/07/2013 19:30:44    1441522

MayoMark
County: Mayo
Posts: 211

I can understand getting rid of it because someone makes a sow's ear of it, but because it might make a few non-Irish nationals feel uncomfortable? Are you serious? I think thats even more insulting on the rest of us. When in Rome do as the Romans do.

No if its going to be rubbished by a poor rendition just don't play it.

arock (Dublin) - Posts: 4954 - 24/07/2013 21:51:40    1441685

Get rid of bad singers singing the anthem. The girl who sang the anthem at the Clare Waterford first round game was top class. Spine tingling stuff.

LohansRedHelmet (Clare) - Posts: 2697 - 25/07/2013 08:31:42    1441718

hill16no1man
County: Dublin
Posts: 5315

1441522
it has to remain as it was one of the core values of the gaa to keep irish culture alive.
amazingly ireland now faces the same challeneg with so much british and american influence through diferant mediums these days our culture is slowly dying out anything the gaa can do to keep it alive should be commended
------------------------------------------------------------
Well said man.

seanie_boy (Tyrone) - Posts: 4235 - 25/07/2013 09:49:18    1441769

seanie_boy
County: Tyrone
Posts: 2485

1441769 hill16no1man
County: Dublin
Posts: 5315

1441522
it has to remain as it was one of the core values of the gaa to keep irish culture alive.
amazingly ireland now faces the same challeneg with so much british and american influence through diferant mediums these days our culture is slowly dying out anything the gaa can do to keep it alive should be commended
------------------------------------------------------------
Well said man.


The playing of the anthem before every game actually reminds me of American culture and Baseball in particular where they belt out the star splangled banner every chance they get. I think soccer has it about right (cue gasps) - in England for example they only play the anthem on FA Cup final day - I think this is appropriate.

Real_Slim_Shady (Meath) - Posts: 153 - 25/07/2013 10:22:30    1441806

arock
County: Dublin
Posts: 1597

1441685 MayoMark
County: Mayo
Posts: 211

I can understand getting rid of it because someone makes a sow's ear of it, but because it might make a few non-Irish nationals feel uncomfortable? Are you serious? I think thats even more insulting on the rest of us. When in Rome do as the Romans do.

No if its going to be rubbished by a poor rendition just don't play it.




I never actually said that to be fair. I just think it's pointless.

MayoMark (Mayo) - Posts: 332 - 25/07/2013 10:37:08    1441819

Real_Slim_Shady
County: Meath
Posts: 75


I can sense the tsunami of objections I am going to get on this one but I have always believed this is one of the more embarrassing parts of a day out at a GAA match.

Let the attacks begin!

Did you just say this for a response? Seems that way to me.

Culann (Dublin) - Posts: 2306 - 25/07/2013 11:04:27    1441846

seany16
County: Dublin
Posts: 1071

Unfortunately, were this to go to congress it wouldn't pass due to the strong bias of older stock who occupy the higher ranks.

Thats good auld democracy for you!! Why don't you try to get someone young in your club, in your county or in your provence to occupy the higher ranks! I hate when people complain about offiacldum with in the GAA. Someone has to do it and its a democratic organisation. If you don't like it, use your voice!!

Culann (Dublin) - Posts: 2306 - 25/07/2013 11:12:53    1441858

hill16no1man
County: Dublin
Posts: 5315

amazingly ireland now faces the same challeneg with so much british and american influence through diferant mediums these days our culture is slowly dying out anything the gaa can do to keep it alive should be commended

Be craeful now hill! When you point factual things like this out you leave yourself open to attack and you to be labled as imatture and living in the past! Careful now!

Culann (Dublin) - Posts: 2306 - 25/07/2013 11:14:58    1441861

National Anthem should be kept. The GAA is a part of our culture and so is our anthem.
It sounds better when bands/choirs play it as it encourages people to join in. This all adds to the atmosphere especially before a big game.

seamusmac (Meath) - Posts: 379 - 25/07/2013 11:46:22    1441909

seany16
County: Dublin
Posts: 1071

1441503 Some people are nationalistic in the GAA, some are not. Some hold tradition to the core, some do not. Some consider the games as an expression of something uniquely Irish, some see it as merely another sport, just coincidentally Irish to be played and enjoyed. I'm of the latter, i see it as another sport and much prefer to see any political connotations kept away. Politics has one arena, sport has another in my view.


Excellent point
Therin lies the conundrum. Is the GAA to remain rooted in the past re: tradition etc or does it change to meet new demographic trends.
The playing of the National Anthem at all games seems, to me, to be a restating of the status quo - this is our association - this is how we do things.
I think that it would not in any way deter new European Irish , in fact for anyone wanting to integrate, it would be welcome.
The main problem would be to deter the section of community the GAA has stated it wishes to reach out to - the northern unionists - who would see its playing as very difficult for them to accept.
This is where politics and sport become entangled - when peoples national aspirations and beliefs are played out on the sports arena.

lamhliathroid1 (Tyrone) - Posts: 25 - 25/07/2013 11:56:25    1441922

When asked what I remember as a young boy in the 70s attending games , the anthem always springs to mind , the hair standing on the back of my neck just as we reach last line the decibel level rising , heart beating out of my chest , Keep the anthem .

Damothedub (Dublin) - Posts: 5193 - 25/07/2013 11:57:26    1441925

I think is a bit outdated, though it should be kept for finals and A.I. Semi-Finals, like the teams marching behind the bands. There'a no need to hear it at every National League game. We should be passed the stage of needing to re-affirm our Irishness through singing a song. I reckon we should have the bishop through the ball in again.

HokeyPokey (Tyrone) - Posts: 1744 - 25/07/2013 12:03:05    1441932

beansycpn
County: Down
Posts: 20

1441104
I think it should be kept. I also think it should be extended! We only sing the chorus (and the ignorant majority start cheering through last line), we should at least be singing the 1st verse too!
Look at most other nations- their anthems seem to last way longer, and have more content stirring more national pride. Ours seems like it's forced out to get it over with!
And don't get me started on that dirty Ireland's Call! In rugby matches at home, both are played to appease the protestants from ulster- fair enough, it's a rugby anthem, but should be played 1st instead of 2nd. And to make matters worse they only ever play that song away from home, not both! Are the rugby fraternity so embarrassed of their roots they don't even sing the national anthem!?

The National Anthem only comprises the chorus of Amhrán na bhFiann. http://www.taoiseach.gov.ie/eng/Historical_Information/The_National_Anthem/

the_walls (Mayo) - Posts: 497 - 25/07/2013 13:26:34    1442055

Wee girls hitting bum notes is just cringeing and it happens more often than not. A good stirring, trumpet roaring, cymbal crashing recording from the RTE concert orchestra, Garda or Army band should suffice. Furthermore the anthem should be restricted to semi finals, finals etc and not run of the mill League or Championship games.

Ulsterman (Antrim) - Posts: 9819 - 25/07/2013 13:31:02    1442061

Look if it is to be played then only in all ire finals. Both.
Thats it. Firstly it dilutes it to play it at every tom dick and Harry game.
Secondly it is always performed bad. And of course between two counties it's infantile when its not a all Ireland final.
how many people would be complaining if it was only finals it was played at? Very few. Its the out of tune renditions and the pointless playing of it that gets peoples goat up.
Also the only thing that anyone ever waits for is the last couple of lines, to belt out come on whoever louder than your opposition.

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 25/07/2013 14:22:18    1442124

The minute silences need doing away with.

Samsforthehills (Donegal) - Posts: 1075 - 25/07/2013 14:45:48    1442156