This is the kind of stuff we have to put up with in the 6 counties and it will be interesting to see does g campbell condemn it (as of yet he hasn't), I would have my doubts though. This is not just an attack on St Johns but on all gaels throughout Ireland and indeed the world. They were due to play in the Junior County Championship on Sunday but now they have no clubhouse equipment etc and have lost hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Tom1916 (Armagh) - Posts: 2001 - 26/09/2008 10:36:15    108348

where was this tom? never heard about it?

samin10 (Armagh) - Posts: 2434 - 26/09/2008 10:44:14    108358

Shameful news...my absolute sympathy goes to all the members that put so much into their club. I hope this will do nothing but strengthen your love and commitment to St Johns and that one day soon Mr. Campbell is cutting the ribbon to open your new sports fund granted club house.

There will be better days ahead for you.

All the very best

James.

jimbodub (Dublin) - Posts: 20763 - 26/09/2008 10:44:43    108359

Are they certain it was Arson? Wouldnt want to comment too soon.

Derry_ledd (Derry) - Posts: 2093 - 26/09/2008 11:00:52    108376

So Tom1916 - they have already found the culprits, charged them and put them in jail have they? All from 'the other side' I take it from the tone of your post? How do you know it wasn't vandalism? Unfortunately, it is a common occurence to have clubhouses destroyed by vandals in the 'south'. Dunno what side of the community these vandals are from though. So yes many GAA (and other sports clubs) have encountered this horrible scene before. I have never considered them attacks on Gaels throughout the world - just the actions of mindless thugs - usually fuelled by drink, drugs and jealousy. What was that phrase Patrique used - MOPE - yes I think that was it.

Dubinmeath (Dublin) - Posts: 1123 - 26/09/2008 11:06:49    108384

samin10 it's a small club just outside Castlewellan and it happened last night.

Tom1916 (Armagh) - Posts: 2001 - 26/09/2008 11:13:38    108390

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7637304.stm

The clubhouse is in Castlewellan in Down! It is not known yet how the fire was started

fred_the_fan (Fermanagh) - Posts: 33 - 26/09/2008 11:27:29    108408

well i think that just answers dublinmeaths post.

For the record it is not a common occurance in the north as far as i am aware for gaa clubs to be damaged by nationalists, maybe a few broken bottles or something form young ones drinking, yet to hear of a club being burnt down from our own. It is hardly suprising that Tom has jumped to the conclusion he has because it is common enough up here for gaa clubs to be victims of arson from loyalists. I feel for you're own situation i really do. Loyalists and the southern youth of today , what would you do with them?

samin10 (Armagh) - Posts: 2434 - 26/09/2008 11:34:10    108424

Well there was sectarian graffiti sprayed all over the walls outside the club so figure it out for yourselves or perhaps dublinmeath thinks it is all a conspiracy by Down GAA fans to try and blame 'the other side' as he calls it!!

Tom1916 (Armagh) - Posts: 2001 - 26/09/2008 11:38:18    108437

Genuinely sorry to hear that Tom.

If they trophy cabinet was destroyed we can lend you some of our silverware, we have plenty of it down here.

Keano (Mayo) - Posts: 412 - 26/09/2008 11:43:49    108450

Don't jump to conclusions. Could be an electrical fault for all you know - then it'll have been an electrician from the other side that did the work no doubt. Graffitti is a common enough occurrence - carried out by both communities. And as for GC - do any of the others come out condemning the burning of Orange halls or churches - assuming its arson of course?

Dubinmeath (Dublin) - Posts: 1123 - 26/09/2008 11:44:16    108453

Perpetrated by the absolute scum of the earth if you ask me. It does sound like it was the work of Loyalists alright going on what information I've read so far. Unfortunately it is a nationwide problem and not just confined to GAA clubs. The soccer club in the area I grew up in recentley had their club house burnt down before it was even finished. The good people of Kilbarrack Utd had put a lot of time and effort into building a clubhouse after many years of providing sport to the local kids. Who were the first people to raise a few quid for them to get up and running again? The local GAA club Naomh Barrog!!

dubupnorth (Dublin) - Posts: 1897 - 26/09/2008 11:49:03    108464

Very sad to see

bad.monkey (USA) - Posts: 4649 - 26/09/2008 11:51:30    108468

This is another sad day for G.A.A. in the Six Counties. This kind of sectarian attack has been going on for too long and unfortunately will lead to a tit-for-tat spate as have previously occurred. Lets hope it is rebuilt bigger than ever. They can burn the buildings but they cant stop the fire in the bellies of G.A.A. men and women.

Cavan_Slasher (Cavan) - Posts: 10253 - 26/09/2008 11:53:08    108473

Keano, you should have a bit more sense at this time.

Cavan_Slasher (Cavan) - Posts: 10253 - 26/09/2008 11:54:10    108474

exactly lads. lets not jump the gun here. it may not have been caused by arson. Hope they can rebuild though.

daytona11 (Kildare) - Posts: 4012 - 26/09/2008 11:59:08    108484

Maybe one that will make some of our southern friends understand how the GAA is viewed up here. A reminant from the troubles that can be seen on the back of many signposts in South Derry is the numbers

"5711"

These are coded numbers, put next to the corresponding letters in the alphabet read

"EGAA"

meaning, eliminate the GAA.

This is also from around the time the Bellaghy Chairman, Séan Brown, was shot when closing the gates at the club.
Maybe this will also help the confused southerners why the counties in Ulster including Donegal, Cavan and Monagahan, and maybe even Louth being a close neighbour, stick together.

Derry_ledd (Derry) - Posts: 2093 - 26/09/2008 12:04:16    108491

dublinmeath, your liberalism is all fine and good in that wee world you live in. Reality on the other hand is a completely different thing. You ask why do nationalist people not condemn attacks on churches or orange halls. They do, they just dont do it on a hoganstand chatroom, but they do get outraged on this chatroom for the burning of GAA clubhouses because believe it or not it is a gaa site, not an orange order or church website. For the record i think you will find there has been alot more catholic churches attacked than protestant ones over the last 10 years. (No church should ever be attacked but you make out that they are getting revenge on nationalists for attacking their churches, i cant even remember the last protestant church that was attacked). Orange Halls should also never be attacked in any shape or form but lets face it their attitude towards catholics is never going to win them any friends. Refuse to talk to catholics on garvaghy road and for years would rather riot, intimidate their way to getting their demands. Fail to condemn the actions of these rioters who burnt four young kids to death in an arson attack in ballymoney (not an eletrical fault). The orange order do not permit catholic members and do not allow their members to marry a catholic. Pure bigots. again i will say that nobody or nobodys property should ever be targets of hate or arson but you really should not talk about things you clearly know nothing about. 99 times out of 100 in the north the conclusions you jump to are normally the correct one.

samin10 (Armagh) - Posts: 2434 - 26/09/2008 12:11:17    108504

Derry_ledd. Very true. Was playing a match in Ballinascreen yesterday evening and seen 5711 daubed on a few road signs around Draperstown. Funny , I didn't see any in Moneyneany though!

dubupnorth (Dublin) - Posts: 1897 - 26/09/2008 12:12:37    108509

Dublinmeath you are an ass.

For years we have put up with this from loyalists and when it happens it is automatically blamed on them because it usually is them.

Tir_Na_nOg (Antrim) - Posts: 210 - 26/09/2008 12:15:47    108516