There are times – ever more frequently of late – when I despair of my fellow man.
A dispute over the playing of the British anthem at the site of the first Bloody Sunday massacre threatens to overshadow an historic moment in Anglo-Irish sport
Excuse me? This is a sporting event, the national anthem of competing countries is a part of the spectacle. But, there are some who just can’t let go of age old grudges:
It is always a spectacular highlight of the Six Nations rugby union championship. Tomorrow’s England vs Ireland international will also make history as an act of sporting reconciliation. The event is in danger of being overshadowed, however, by a dispute over the playing of God Save the Queen.
For the first time the annual match is being staged at Dublin’s Croke Park, the traditional home of gaelic games and the scene of an infamous massacre by British “Black and Tan” forces more than 80 years ago.
Yes? So? It was eighty years ago, for crying out loud. It is history, it is nothing to do with the young men competing in Saturday’s game.
The prospect of an English rugby team being greeted by an Irish army band performing God Save the Queen is still too much for some ardent GAA fans and hardline republicans.
Then it’s time they grew the fuck up and if they can’t it’s time someone told them to. Do we get arsey when visiting German teams want to have Deutschland uber alles or the French stand and listen to the Marseillaise? Do the Americans get pissy and yell like spoiled children “We fought those buggers in 1777, how dare they play their anthem here!” Of course not.
We fought the Germans rather more recently than eighty years ago and I’d like to think we are adult enough to put that conflict behind us. Adult enough to welcome a visiting sports team to an international event with dignity and friendship. If the Gaelic Athletic Association cannot do that, then it has no place in international sport.