‘Sam Maguire’ used to normalise British rule

national | miscellaneous | press release

Monday October 29, 2007 14:06

by Des Dalton - Republican Sinn Fein

saoirse at iol dot ie

223 Parnell St Dublin 1

01 8729747

Statement by Republican Sinn Féin Vice President Des Dalton

Referring to the use of the GAA’s Sam Maguire All-Ireland Senior football trophy in the so-called ‘International Police Gaelic Football Tournament’ in London on October 26/27 involving the RUC/PSNI.

Referring to the use of the GAA’s Sam Maguire All-Ireland Senior football trophy in the so-called ‘International Police Gaelic Football Tournament’ in London on October 26/27 involving the RUC/PSNI RSF Vice President Des Dalton said:

“The hijacking of the Sam Maguire trophy to help in the normalisation of British rule in Ireland is an abuse of a symbol of Irish national independence and unity. Each year the Sam Maguire trophy is presented to the winners of the Senior All-Ireland football championship, as such it symbolises the essential unity of the Irish nation, something which is denied by the Stormont and St Andrew’s agreements.

“The campaign of normalising the continued British occupation of Ireland is insidious. This is not the first time that an important symbol of Irish cultural historical identity has been abused in this way. In February the England rugby team was hosted in Croke Park, along with the playing of the English national anthem ‘God save the Queen’ there, whilst in August Pairc Elser in Newry was used for the playing of a hurling match involving the British colonial police.

“In recent years the Sam Maguire trophy has been brought to Stormont, in order to lend that assembly, a bulwark of partition and British rule, legitimacy in nationalist eyes. The irony of using a symbol of the unity of the historic Irish nation for such a purpose is not lost on those who organise such events. As a member of the GAA I am immensely proud of all that our Association has contributed to the Irish people at home and abroad in sporting, social and cultural terms. The GAA should not allow itself to be co-opted into aiding the normalisation of British rule in our country. “

Ends.

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Comments (7 of 7)

PSNI SHAME

by RICKY - ORANGE ORDER

Thu Nov 01, 2007 21:03

The PSNI should hang their heads in shame for taking part in such an overtly anti Protestant sectarian sport , such as GAA.

RICKY

by Brendan

Fri Nov 02, 2007 01:28

The Orange Order to Catholics is what the GAA is to prodestants.....Ricky !!!!! We put up with your marches u can put up with our sport...and is there no Catholics in the PSNI......50-50.....NO !!!!!!

Marches not tolerated

Fri Nov 02, 2007 12:05

Actually Brendan, while we do put up with the GAA our marches are consistenly attacked, as in Ardoyne last Twelfth.

PSNI & GAA

by gameball

Fri Nov 02, 2007 12:10

C'mon guys, it's good that this has started.

hmm

by Dave

Fri Nov 02, 2007 13:02

wasn't Edwin Poots from the DUP welcomed at a GASA conference recently enough?

Has Nickey Brennan or have any of his predecessors been invited to anything with an orange hue?

by Caobhin

Fri Nov 02, 2007 17:04

Your sectarian marches not attacked you liar -they are opposed in areas where they are not wanted - a message you thicks have a hard time grasping. When was the last time one of your brethern was injured by an attack on one of your odious parades then eh?

Caobhin

Fri Nov 02, 2007 21:56

Only as recently as the twelfth of July Orangemen were injured when their bus was pelted with missiles in Armagh. As well as this a rocket was launched at marchers at Ardoyne and it was only by the grace of God this did not result in serious injury. Nevertheless dont take my word for this, key in "Ulster Newsletter" or "Irishnews", then click on archives, then the date corresponding to the 13th of July and you can read these accounts for yourself.
Odious!?- so much so that only about 500000+ spectators come out to watch these parades, not forgetting many individuals from your own community who made the effort to come out and be "offended".

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‘Sam Maguire’ used to normalise British rule

Comments (7 of 7)