Ireland's Call

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What impassioned stance and what antipathy to our anthem? To put it in the politest terms, you're simply making things up about me. I simply stated some facts about the history of Ireland's Call and the national anthem with respect to Irish rugby - facts of which you were obviously ignorant.

Also you seem to have appointed yourself spokesperson for Paul O'Connell, Stringer, etc. and how they feel about this issue. I've met many of the Irish rugby team socially, was school friends with a past captain and neighbours with a current first team player. These guys are all have massive pride in and respect for the traditions of Irish rugby. And, like it or not, these traditions don't accord with your view of how things should be. Because of the all-Ireland nature of the organisation, the Irish rugby team has never been associated with tricolours or the national anthem.

Bushfire said:
Those supporters who choose not to sing Amhran na bhFiann are obviously quite entitled to view the team in a different way, as you do, as an all-island collection of players who represent nothing more than a geographical entity.
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You still don't get it, do you? I sing our national anthem loudly and with gusto at home internationals. I even know the words unlike about 90% of the population. Please read what I have actually written instead of responding to what you imagine I do or believe.

Almo said:
And Ireland's Call was put forward to try slide into place of the Republic's National Anthem
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This is completely false as I explained already. Ireland's Call replaced NOTHING - there was no team anthem before it. Amhran na bhFiann will always be played in Lansdown (or wherever) if the president or a representative of the president is present as it ALWAYS was. Ireland's Call will not and was never intended to displace Amhran na bhFiann in this regard.
 
IC is better than TROT (The Rose of Tralee) which was played on tour in Australia in the 1980's. Con Houlihan described it as a "Victorian Weepie". When Dick Spring made his displeasure known to the IRFU he got a rather sniffy response along the lines "well can you think of anything better?"

disclaimer: I am not connected to TROT in any way.
 
Darag, when Ireland's Call was introduced the statement from the IRFU was as follows: "This song will go on to become a rallying hymn for all sides and replace any worries that are evident in the ongoing peace process on the island of Ireland." This was from a Donnybrook press confrence (I was there and noted it). In the press it was reported as the "future anthem for rugby on the island of Ireland". They took a lead from the South African side where they slipped in God Bless Africa which in certain instances has been played without the original anthem. There has always been a debate over replacing the anthem with something more rosy and nice, it's always a talking point and the biggest problem with this rugby "anthem" is that it is not totally inspiring.
 
darag said:
I sing our national anthem loudly and with gusto at home internationals. I even know the words
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Oh my God, you sing Amhrán na bhFiann (loudly and with gusto?) at home internationals?

You sing that Republican, blood-thirsty, jingositic ditty in the presence of our brothers of a Unionist persusion from the North, in a provocative, aggressive and confrontational way, with no respect for their sensitivities or for the traditions of rugby, which, as we know, are sacrosanct, indubitable and jolly.

Darag? I am so, so, so, so disappointed in you.

Come the day and come the hour, you will regret this ugliness. You should be standing shoulder to shoulder with the four proud provinces of Ireland. We are one! And your likes will never divide us!


 
Darag, enjoyed your letter in the Irish Times (Feb 15):

Madam, - At the Ireland-France game last Sunday, the national anthem of the Republic of Ireland was played as well as the "Presidential Salute", with tricolours flying all around the ground. Yet there was no sign of any representation or support for the Northern Irish players or supporters. Why? Ahead of the game against England, many commentators are discussing whether or not God Save the Queen will be played for the England team. I have a more pertinent question: as the anthem of Northern Ireland, why wasn't it played last Sunday? I was under the impression that the team was supposed to represent both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, but there are no signs of this.

Ireland's Call was introduced as an anthem for all, yet it has been decided there is still the need for a rendition of The Soldier's Song. This has been justified as an expression of "respect" for the host nation. How about a bit of respect for Northern Ireland and its representatives on and off the field? Staging the game at the home of an openly sectarian organisation only adds to the intimidation. Even if they were encouraged to, how could Northern Irish people feel safe flying their flag? If the Ireland team is to represent two countries, then why are only one country's anthem and flag flown? Either have both or do away with them altogether. Yours, etc,

Darag, AAM

Just kiddin'
 
GAA - Openly Sectarian?

Not officially (unlike, say, the Orange Order). I dont believe it has been sectarian in the South - e..g Jack Boothman, a president in the mid 90's or thereabouts, was a protestant, not that a big deal was ever made about it since it made no odds whatsoever. Sam Maguire was another.

As regards the North its fair to say that the nationalist community is its main constituent (which wouldnt necessarily, of itself, make it a sectarian organisation) but with the removal of the rule against security forces (never a good idea IMHO - only a PR disaster for a sports organisation) I dont believe the GAA deserves its former tag of "The IRA at play".

Maybe its different on the ground in the North?, would it be a "cold place" for non-nationalists or, more specific to the allegation, non-catholics?

I would guess that, like rugby in the South, GAA in the North (particularly uban) is based around what schools you go to and if there was ever a case for "cross-community"/"non-denominational" education then surely its the North (ok, this is a separate issue but part of the bigger point).
 
Betsy Og-are you responding to a point about the GAA made elsewhere in the thread?
 
CCOVICH

See the post immediately under mine, which I gather is the reproduction of a letter from the Irish Times, and which states:

"Staging the game at the home of an openly sectarian organisation only adds to the intimidation. "
 
That letter writer has far more in common with you, Bushfire, than me: presumptious, little knowledge of the traditions of Irish rugby, no understanding of the relationship between Amhran na bhFiann and the Irish rugby team and the readiness to turn the simple issue of a song into some sort of political/sectarian debate.
 
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