Seán Moran: GAA opts for cautious policy as North’s entrenched positions remain firmly fixed via IrishTimesSport
With the deterioration of the Troubles, circumstances were never deemed sufficiently propitious to revisit the issue and attempts to do so were defused with boilerplate assurances that the GAA “would not be found wanting when the time was right”.
McDonagh’s move came suddenly on the Saturday when he proposed the lifting of standing orders to debate the ban with a view to deleting it from the Official Guide. McDonagh was privately criticised by some GAA officials for not consulting properly with those in the Ulster GAA and laying the groundwork a little better. This was, however, unfair in that the president was seizing the moment after the agreement and trying to position the association at the forefront of the peace process.
There was no clear decision to drop the contentious rule but further declarations of the association “not being found wanting when the time was right”.
An initiative by East Belfast GAA to run introductory sessions in Strandtown Primary School resulted in such intimidation – direct by email and indirect through social media – that the school had no option but to withdraw. The consequent re-emergence of the Border as an issue has been destabilising and now comes the growing drumroll of dissident republicans and their febrile view that there haven’t been enough murders in the past 25 years.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
GAA must 'take seriously' racist abuse of Wexford captain - Jason SherlockThe GAA must “take seriously” the racist abuse of Lee Chin over the weekend, former Dublin player Jason Sherlock has said.
Read more »
'Organised chaos, Ma'am, but so organised' - The bigger picture of New York's historic winNew York GAA people will enjoy this one and they will relish the trip home to play Sligo in the Connacht semi-final on 22 April.
Read more »
Parents of GAA star killed in quad bike accident “devastated and heartbroken”The parents of David Brown who died on Easter Sunday in a quad bike accident are “devastated and heartbroken” at the loss of their 15-year-old son
Read more »
Hurling stars, schools rugby and county football - New York's GAA history makersA Connacht semi-final against Sligo awaits after Saturday's win over Leitrim.
Read more »
GAA club remembers 'fearless' star David Brown, 15, killed in quad bike tragedyA keen sportsperson, he had represented Laois in the Celtic Challenge hurling competition on Saturday
Read more »