GAA need to step up

Here is a decent piece from Tom Elliot again being fairly clear why the GAA cannot be regarded as inclusive….

𝐌𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐌𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐥'𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐀𝐀

I read Frank Mitchell’s defence of the GAA in Saturday’s Belfast Telegraph Weekend magazine. I have no wish to get involved in the East Belfast debate, but it is important to balance the view that is often portrayed of the GAA as an organisation where everyone is welcome.

While I understand Frank’s views on the GAA from a sporting organisation it cannot be isolated from the organisation’s political perspective.

I have the greatest of respect for many who play GAA as they see it as a sporting institution. 

However the reality of the GAA organisation is much different. For years I and everyone who was a member of the Northern Ireland security services were banned by the GAA to be a member or part of their organisation.

Even now under the GAA main aim and one of the GAA rule’s state:

‘the strengthening of the National Identity in a 32 County Ireland through the preservation and promotion of Gaelic Games and pastimes.’

‘Membership of the Association shall be granted only by a Club, to persons who subscribe to and undertake to further the aims and objects of the Gaelic Athletic Association, as stated in the Official Guide’

Therefore I believe that someone from the Unionist community could not be accepted for membership of the organisation as Unionists cannot subscribe to the National Identity in a 32 County Ireland.  

There are of course a long list of links between the GAA and militant Irish Republicanism, including IRA murderers. At least the Ulster GAA Chief Executive Brian McEvoy has been honest enough to admit that it is not just a sporting organisation, that it has a much wider remit, a fact that is highlighted by its aims and rules, which broadly makes it a strong political advocate.

Even in recent times we have witnessed members of GAA teams shouting and chanting pro IRA slogans when passing events from a unionist tradition, we often witness pro IRA singing and chanting by GAA team competition winners.

The institution continues its practice of flying the Irish Tricolour and signing the Republic of Ireland National Anthem at matches, even in Northern Ireland. Can you imagine the uproar if it was insisted that the Union Fly and UK National Anthem be played at all NIFL League football matches or Ulster Rugby Championship games, it wouldn’t be accepted or tolerated, but the GAA continue their tradition of anti-unionist traditions.

Indeed we are aware of those from a Protestant, even though mixed marriage background that have suffered terrible intimidation and bullying when they were part of the GAA setup, this has been witnessed in a number of areas including Fermanagh and Cavan, the latter which ended with tragic circumstances.

I acknowledge and applaud the volunteer spirit and commitment of the GAA; I also accept that many of those playing the sport are involved for the sport and not the institution’s wider political connotations. 

It may have a very small number of participants from a unionist or protestant background, it may have provided a setting for a Muslim celebration, but the reality is that the GAA is an organisation that is designed to promote an Irish Nationalist/ Republican agenda, its rules and constitution at the very least discourage anyone from a unionist viewpoint from being part of the organisation and the vast majority of its history and actions consolidate that view, with pro-Irish Nationalist/Republican and anti-Unionist/Protestant activities.

While I accept the right to promote the sporting and volunteer nature of the GAA, please stop trying to dress it up as an organisation for all – Because that it certainly is not.

it says National Identity - A very different thing to Irish identity. The fact you needed to change it says it all

Fionn the fact you felt the need to spin it from ‘national identity’ to ‘Irish identity’ is a bit of a giveaway to what you truly think - no matter what you pretend to think.

if it said ‘Irish identity’ then certainly any unionists who felt Irish could join with integrity, but it doesn’t say Irish identity. Either way it still rules me out.

Not sure what you are saying. Are you claiming there numbers of people who hold dual membership of OO and GAA. I doubt it. It sounds a bit like the claims that there are lots of unionists in the GAA. We need to start dealing in realities

To be a member I need to sign up to be supportive of promoting a 32 county national identity. I can’t.

would you join an organisation that said you need to promote a Uk national identity across the British isles? I certainly wouldn’t expect you to