It’s true, we certainly have a different perspective south of the border. But doesn’t life have to move on in the North? Eventually they have to find a way to live together. The GAA helped healed wounds early on in the life of the “Free State”, can’t sport (inc GAA) do the same North of the border?

“some people” are just certain peoplewho I know or have met in the past. They are probably a tiny percentage but they do exist.

I think Deaglan is right, that people here in the South have no idea of what it’s like for Irish people up the North. In such circumstances, such anachronisms (as we might see it) still have considerable support behind them.

As to the “some people in the South”, who, exactly?

Well, (as with the football) you need a proper pitch to play. Four school-jumpers in a schoolyard doesn’t cut it for the two GAA sports. This is a problem to which I can’t see a solution, given the scarcity and price of land in urbaia these days.

“I’m always amused at how I end up sounding on topics like this – sort of like Ruairi O’Bradaigh in an bad mood.”

LOL!

“Some people in the South are also turned off by the GAA, they see it as a backward nationalist organisation.”

Maybe some are – but I’d suggest that the vast majority either aren’t bothered by the nationalism or support it. And if the GAA is an openly nationalist organsation…so what? I’m open to persuasion but I don’t see why it’s a sin to be openly nationalist. Again, perhaps we have a difference in perception.

Best,
Deaglan

[PS. I'm always amused at how I end up sounding on topics like this - sort of like Ruairi O'Bradaigh in an bad mood.]

Of course the first obvious thing is that there certainly is a huge difference in the GAA I have experienced and what you have experienced North of the border. Our club house was never petrol bombed and we were never attacked on the way home from training so our opinions are obviously going to differ. So you’re right to highlight that.

Two other things, this is not about appeasing unionists, such changes probably wouldn’t make a bit of difference to the majourity of them. It’s about getting rid of some of the politics which I personally feel no longer belong there. The hostility you mention might remain but I think we’d have a better more progressive organisation. Some people in the South are also turned off by the GAA, they see it as a backward nationalist organisation. Why does it need to be like this?

It’s also certainly not about de-Gaelicizing the GAA. As I tried to make clear, I still want the GAA to promote this Gaelic part of Irish culture but without some of the political trappings which may exclude many protestants. Many of the things I highlighted are basically irrelevant to the GAA anyway. IMHO.