Why it is time for the GAA to start playing on a wider field
Monday, 6 October 2008
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How do you view the GAA today? Not so long ago, such a question might have filled the letters column of the Belfast Telegraph or led to jammed switchboards at the BBC or UTV, if they dared broadcast a match.
The success of Tyrone and Armagh in recent All-Ireland finals has raised the profile of the GAA in Northern Ireland to new heights. It has also led to more people beyond the nationalist community taking an interest. Watching the recent celebrations in my native Co Tyrone, I couldn't help but think how far we had come from the days of my youth.
As a boy educated in the intensely rugby environment of the Royal School, Dungannon, the world of GAA seemed light years away, even if its games were played over the hedge by the adjoining St Patrick's Academy.
At home, I listened to what my father called the Free State radio, mainly for its excellent news service. On a September Sunday once a year, I would tune in to the All-Ireland final, not out of any great interest in the game but simply to hear the wonderful voice of Michael O'Hehir, who could have made even a funeral sound exciting.
On the outskirts of town stood O'Neill Park, the local GAA ground. I recall my father pointing out to me one Sunday afternoon that it flew a Tricolour when matches were being played. This being a no-go area for a school pal and me on our Sunday walk, we determined to get inside and see for ourselves what went on.
It was a big game, Tyrone against Down, with several thousand spectators. There we were, feeling isolated and edgy, watching a game we knew nothing about. We hoped no one would recognise us, or report back to our families, friends or school, that we had been seen, standing under the Tricolour, listening, may the Lord forgive us, to the Soldier's Song, sung with frightening fervour. This, then, was my GAA baptism. Now I fast forward to Croke Park a few years ago. I was the guest of a couple of big-hitting Belfast businessmen. The windswept terrace of O'Neill Park seemed a far cry from the comforts of Croke Park's hospitality suites, with their pre-match drinks and executive lunches, and outside seating in the vast grandstands for 82,000 spectators.
The media have played a significant role in changing attitudes. The BBC and UTV barely covered gaelic games until the 1980s. Now they vie with one another, along with satellite stations, for the rights to broadcast matches. Where once they might have run a mile from any association, banks and businesses queue up to sponsor the GAA to the tune of millions.
Gaelic football is a great spectator sport. The continuity of the game, with few stoppages, end-to-end style play and ferocious man-to-man marking, makes it just as exciting, if not more so, than rugby or soccer. It is little wonder, therefore, that it draws larger attendances than any other sport on this island.
A downside is that it has limited international appeal beyond the Irish diaspora of places like Australia and USA. The concentration on gaelic games in Ireland may also mean that other sports lose out. We know that some international soccer and rugby players have a GAA upbringing but we will never know how many talented sportsmen and women this island could truly boast in international competition because their abilities were not displayed beyond a gaelic ground.
The way to counter that is to allow every youngster to develop skills at whatever sport he or she wishes. There is more choice today in schools yet the focus continues in many on one principal sport, be it soccer, rugby, hockey, netball or gaelic games.
GAA has benefited also from the removal of its out-dated rules on playing ‘foreign games’, such as rugby and soccer, and the ban on ‘British forces’ participation. Thankfully, we have moved to a point where even a DUP minister can attend an All-Ireland final or the opening recently of a ground in south Belfast.
As one of those lucky enough to be in Croke Park for the Ireland versus England rugby international, I can vouch for how much that meant to those of us who did not come from a GAA background. It was only a game but that day should go down in Irish history books as a watershed occasion.
The obvious challenge for the GAA is to take itself beyond the narrow ground of old-fashioned nationalism. To truly cross the religious and political divide, especially in the aftermath of the signing of the Good Friday agreement. That pact recognises two states within one island but the All-Ireland dimension is central to the GAA's tradition as is its association with the Catholic church.
The question I ask is whether it will ever prove possible to embrace fully the wider population. To reach a point where the First Minister of Northern Ireland does not engage in the petty politics of not joining with his Deputy to recognise Tyrone's success.
Some people may feel these are naïve thoughts but Ireland, north and south, is not what it was when the GAA was founded. The state of Northern Ireland, shared by two communities, is recognised now in a way that it wasn't before. The island, too, has become more secular and inter-denominational than ever before.
The Tyrone manager, Mickey Harte, must be an incredibly inspirational leader to win three All-Ireland finals in six years. Whatever he has should be bottled and sold for export. Indeed, I would go further and propose the unthinkable! Is he not as deserving of an appearance in the forthcoming Queen's New Year's Honours list as many of the sports figures who will be listed there?
I look forward to a day when everyone feels comfortable to come out on the streets, and recognise sporting excellence for what it is without any sense of rancour. We have all travelled a long way in our lifetimes. Unfortunately, even in our sporting interests, we still have a long way to go.
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Comments
65 Comments
GAA fans have a keen interest in soccer and a fair interest in Rugby. Rugby fans would have a polite interest in both soccer and GAA. Irish soccer fans have little interest in Rugby and they hate the GAA.
The 32 county aspect is there with the GAA, and that will always be a problem for many Unionists. However, Rugby has a 32 county aspect, so it shouldn't be insurmountable.
If widening the GAA’s appeal to our Unionist neighbours means it has to drop some increasingly irrelevant minor trappings such as flags and park names, then that’s well worth doing.
Posted by sean | 30.01.09, 19:06 GMT
Steve, you honestly think nothing would have happened to anyone carrying a Tri Colour into Windsor park? Pull the other one. Are these not the same fans who hurl (sectarian and other) abuse at each other every weekend?
You are delusional.
You say there is no sectarian abuse at GAA matches as they are they are predominately attended by Catholics.
But there are lots of other types of abuse in the Irish League apart from Sectarian. Glentoran v Linfield matches are predominately attended by protestants and these matches are rife with incidents involving supporters.
That is beside the point.
The GAA is about the Preservation and promotion of Gaelic Games and Pastimes. Now over the years there has been a lot of moves by the GAA to open up to unionists.
Two examples
‘God Save the Queen’ has been aired in Croke Park. The rule banning members of the British security forces from joining the GAA has been scrapped.
Is that not indeed progress?
Posted by Joe | 20.10.08, 17:05 GMT
Davo, I suspect that nothing would have happened. People would perhaps assume that he was lost, being ironic, or just odd, I doubt very much he'd have been attacked. Times have changed, for some anyway. But again, the lack of relevance of what the GAA regards as a "foreign" sport seems to be lost on you. Have you actually read the article above?
Posted by Steve | 18.10.08, 17:00 GMT
Steve, if a Northern Ireland fan started flying a tricolour on Wednesday night against San Marino - do you really think nothing would happen to him? I'm not talking about Republic fans who are kept well apart from Norn Iron ones when the two teams meet.
Posted by Davo, Portadown | 18.10.08, 14:29 GMT
Davo, I'm not sure what Windsor Park has to do with the GAA (it's a home of a "foreign" sport you know, tut tut!), but if someone wants to bring a tricolour to it, that's fine by me. There have certainly been Irish tricolours there before, remind me who it was that died when the Republic played there? Perhaps you should be a tad better informed before you going telling people not to "be soft".
Posted by Steve | 18.10.08, 14:12 GMT
Steve said: "Only someone looking to provoke trouble would WANT to bring a Union Jack to a Tyrone match" You think they'd be attacked? So much for your non-sectarian GAA fans!
--
Steve what would happen to someone bringing a tricolour to Windsor Park/Norn Iron match? Are saying he or she would be ok? You don't think they would be given a beating or even end up dead? Don't be soft.
Posted by Davo, Portadown | 18.10.08, 13:59 GMT
"Only someone looking to provoke trouble would WANT to bring a Union Jack to a Tyrone match"
You think they'd be attacked? So much for your non-sectarian GAA fans! And that highlights the problem: you can boast of a lack of sectarian abuse at games, but then if everyone's a Catholic there's not much scope to vent sectarian feelings, is there? The one time a Protestant turns up, there it is, the naked sectarianism. It's like boasting there's no sectarian abuse at a meeting of an Orange Lodge!
"I keep telling you it is not for me to sell you the GAA" It's just as well, because you're not. You're right I have no interest in supporting the GAA in its current form, it's the problem, not the solution, and its politico-religious mentality is keeping many like me from supporting gaelic games, which we have every reason to.
Posted by Steve | 18.10.08, 12:15 GMT
Steve, Only someone looking to provoke trouble would WANT to bring a Union Jack to a Tyrone match. I'm sure a GAA flag would go down well at Windsor Park. Catch you self on. You are showing your true colours. You have no interest in wanting to support the GAA. Your only interest is in waving flags.
I accept the abuse Darren Graham took was a disgrace - however it was widely condemned and action taken. I'm sure he would not still be playing now if this wasn't the case. If this is the only thing you have to back up your arguments I think the GAA is doing rather well. I can give you many more example of other sports in NI where sectarian abuse happens week in week out. How about the Setenta cup match this week in Dublin where some fans from NI abused home fans.
I keep telling you it is not for me to sell you the GAA. Im merely pointing out all the good things it has going for it. What sport lover (players and supporters) wouldn't want to use the best facilities in the country?
Posted by Mick, Belfast | 17.10.08, 14:50 GMT
Mick, this isn't a fascist state, people can bring what flags they like to support teams. If someone wants to bring a Union Jack to a match with, e.g. "Tyrone" written on it, nothing should stop them.
"I asked you WHAT change is happening" Actually, you asked what change I see coming, so I told you and you don't seem to like it one bit. Your rose-tinted view of GAA-organised matches is perhaps dented somewhat by the fact that the one Protestant playing in Fermanagh was forced out by sectarian abuse and when he was persuaded to re-join his house was attacked. Little wonder the GAA is a monoculture. Still waiting for answers...
Posted by Steve | 17.10.08, 11:21 GMT
Steve I asked you WHAT change is happening. All you are doing is mischievously speculating.
You Claim - "One day unionists will be part of this whether you like it or not, and they'll bring their own flags with them"
I would wave the flag of the team I am supporting. These flags already exist, not sure why Unioinists would need any different flags? Maybe you can explain this to me?
Maybe you should visit a GAA match and then make up your mind. There are no sectarian songs, no segregation of supporters, no flags with paramilitary logos / slogans, no need for an army of police, all of which are common place at soccer in Northern Ireland - which you claim is miles ahead in cross community actions.
For all the 'Problems' you claim the GAA has, it doesn't have any problem finding big sponsors, who, I'm sure would not want to be associated with any organisation with questionable morals. Guinness, Toyota & Vodafone.
Not bad for backwater eh! Nothing the IFA need worry about!
Posted by Mick | 17.10.08, 09:35 GMT
I should have thought the change was obvious: every other organisation that administers sport does so without politico-religious trappings, gaelic sports should (and one day will be) no different. It's not rocket science, it's 21st century secular society. One day unionists will be part of this whether you like it or not, and they'll bring their own flags with them.
So why does the GAA stand in the way of progress? It could be making a contribution to both gaelic sport and reconciliation, instead it chooses to live in the past. But you're apparently satisfied that virtually none of the majority community in NI are involved. Is that the case?? What are you doing to change the GAA?
Posted by Steve | 14.10.08, 17:42 GMT
Steve, what is abusive about 'your boring me'?
Just ignore the rest of my comment, now there's a surprise!
I'd love to know exactly what change you see coming? Maybe you could enlighten me? You are obviously in the know about the GAA, looking in from the outside!
Posted by Mick | 13.10.08, 20:43 GMT
"Steve your boring me now"
i.e. you've lost the argument and have decided to become abusive. Now there's a surprise! Change is coming, whether you can stomach it or not. The days of politico-religious control of sport have been over for some time, it's just not reached the GAA backwater yet.
Posted by Steve | 13.10.08, 13:49 GMT
Steve your boring me now.
Lets just rip the GAA apart so you can find some other pointless argument not to support them.
Because of your outlook you will never support them, lets not pretend any of the measures you put forward would actually make you embrace the games.
You like so many people in NI cant look at all the positives that have been done. All you can do is point at issues that will never be changed. Why would the GAA ditch all the other activities it is involved in? None of which are by any means offensive. Language, history and Song!!
All just to please people who have no interest in enjoying the organisation? Who only want it to be ripped apart?
It is not for me to convince anyone as to why they should want to support the GAA. Seems to me that as it's the most supported sport on our Island, North and South, people can see for themselves.
Your loss.
Posted by Mick | 13.10.08, 09:59 GMT
Tony, I know from first-hand experience that there is an increase in support of NI from traditionally nationalist communities. Your evidence is speculation! Laughable.
Indeed, the Northern Ireland team/IFA represent NI. Nothing more, nothing less. When you say your “attitude would change”, if new anthems/flags were introduced – what does this mean exactly?
Rugby is far from an ideal situation since the Irish Republic’s anthem/flag get trotted out for matches in Dublin. I’m sure you’ll agree that this is a clear misrepresentation (as with your stance on NI symbols). IF “Ireland’s Call” is to be trotted out, it should be the ONLY anthem. I’m sure you’ll also agree that a commonly agreed flag should be attached to this “Ireland” rugby side. No?
As for GAA, I think the game could be opened up to me if the trappings of Irish Republicanism were removed. Do you think this could be a goer Tony?
Posted by mickey | 13.10.08, 09:29 GMT
"The GAA is not ONLY a sports organisation"
That, Mick, is the problem in a nutshell. At last you're catching on! Separate the sport from the politico-religious baggage, it's ludicrous to link the two! But I notice you still haven't answered any of the questions...
Posted by Steve | 12.10.08, 23:52 GMT
Steve, your missing the point entirely. The GAA is not ONLY a sports organisation. There are many more strings to its bow.
It actively supports the Irish language, traditional Irish dancing, music, song and other aspects of Irish culture. With many competitions locally and nationally each year.
Would you want all these activities ended before you could support Gaelic games?
Why should any of this stop you from watching Gaelic Games if your only interested in the pure sporting element?
Posted by Mick | 12.10.08, 18:58 GMT
Mick, where exactly did I say it was offensive? It was you that claimed there was no religious element to the GAA, I merely pointed out that is blatantly untrue. Now explain why it is acceptable for a "sporting" organisation to be a religious one or an ethnocentric one? I note you have failed to answer a single question or make a single positive comment to encourage unionists to become involved in gaelic sports.
The GAA, far from "making great strides" has been dragging its heels at best. It would be best for sport if gaelic games and the politico-religious GAA went their separate ways.
Posted by Steve | 11.10.08, 12:38 GMT
Tony, you're displaying a head-in-the-sand mentality that's perhaps at the root cause of the GAA's problems, of which there are many. Gaelic games will never be global sports, precisely because of this attitude. Soccer is a global sport because the first football associations weren't politico-religious organisations, but sporting ones. The GAA should learn from them and try moving into the 19th century, with a view to one day being in the 21st.
Posted by Steve | 10.10.08, 16:41 GMT
Steve, what is offensive about a ground being named after a Catholic Bishop? That is just PC madness! People can and will get annoyed by anything if they choose and going by the comments on this article they are.
The GAA is an All Ireland organisation. So it's not at all likely there are going to stop playing the Irish National Anthem or using the Tri-Colour.
What it can do is make the organisation welcoming to everyone and dispite what your political outlook is you cannot dispute they have been making great strides in this area over the last 10 years.
Posted by Mick | 10.10.08, 16:25 GMT
65 Comments