British & Irish Governments Plan Ceremony in Croke Park

[troopie]

I can think of a few names to add to the list! All joking aside, this should be a cracking game! & don't forget there's also France V Wales, plus great Super 14 action! A great rugby weekend -- again!
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RTE News 15th February 2007 18.02PM

British & Irish Governments Plan Ceremony in Croke Park

Northern Ireland Minister Peter Hain has announced details of a joint ceremony before Irelands crunch game against England in Croke Park on the 24th February. The significance of the game is not lost on GAA followers and republicans who remember the infamous shooting of 14 players and supporters by the British Army on the 21st November 1921. However according to GAA spokesman Ulick Magee a plan being devised by the GAA and the Northern Ireland office, will attempt to draw a line under the incident. "We've spoken to the British government and they understand the significance of the event back in 1921. Back then 14 people were killed by British forces so in the spirit of the peace process and friendship we're proposing that we shoot 14 of their lot before the match. Then maybe have fireworks afterwards or something." Said Mr Magee.

Government Reaction

The plan has had a mixed reaction from Downing Street. Prime Minister Tony Blair thinks the idea has merit but said that it needs to be done properly and with dignity. "Frankly I think its a small price to pay for progression in Anglo-Irish affairs, but I think the idea of getting Ray Houghton to do the shooting would be too much for many English fans to take particularly after his goal against us back in 1988. And he's Scottish which is worse."

Proposed Victims

According to informed sources, the GAA and Number 10 have already drawn up a list of names for those to be shot. The list, which is not yet agreed, is thought to be a compromise of people that both the Irish and English public dislike. Among the names are moaney-hole singer James Blunt, foul mouth idiot Jade Goody, Trinny & Suzannah, Man Utd donkey Rio Ferdinand, cream cake expert Vanessa Feltz, "comedian" Russell Brand and any of the blokes who do outside broadcasts for Sky News. But discussions took an ironic twist when both sides agreed on shooting Belfast singer Brian Kennedy, but neither side agreed on what nationality he was. GAA representatives claim he's British with their Foreign Office counterparts claiming he's Irish. The Irish claimed no Irishman should sing or dance in such a manner and the English saying he couldn't be a Brit because he had no tattoos on his forearm and didn't wear Ben Sherman shirts. However there was eventual consensus that he should be shot regardless of his nationality.

Plans agreed

The shooting will be carried out my members of the 2nd Infantry Battalion from Cathal Brugha Barracks in Dublin. The original idea to get the FCA to carry out the executions were dropped when they revealed that their rifles are in fact made of baked-plastercine. Similarly the Garda Emergency Response Unit was discounted for fear they'd shoot more innocent civilians then claim overtime for it.

[bozzman101]

lets hope its a cracking game

and the islamic fund eeeeeeeee mental ists stay awawy for the day

and any other crack pots as some idiots here talk about 1916 1921

as if it was yesterday

[troopie]

lets hope its a cracking game

and the islamic fund eeeeeeeee mental ists stay awawy for the day

and any other crack pots as some idiots here talk about 1916 1921

as if it was yesterday

Don't worry -- with Ireland playing the way they are, & with Wilkinson likely to be injured again, the locals will be too busy partying to remember their name, let alone 1921!

[bozzman101]

nice post troopie

certinally brought a giggle or two out

can you translate Ulick mcgee into thai??

lee a hee noi????? lols

[STEVE G]

Troopie, I agree that the Croke Park massacre was an appalling atrocity, but it wasn’t carried out by the British Army, it was the Auxiliary Division of the Royal Irish Constabulary.

[troopie]

Troopie, I agree that the Croke Park massacre was an appalling atrocity, but it wasn’t carried out by the British Army, it was the Auxiliary Division of the Royal Irish Constabulary.

Indeed yes, the forerunner of the unlamented 'B Specials'! However, let's not forget that there's rarely, if ever, any no good side in a civil war.

But to hell with it! Looking towards the past just gives you a sore neck, so instead, take a look at today's Ireland -- a thriving economy & a favourite weekend break destination for the Poms.

Anyway, as far as I'm concerned, a nice, humiliating victory by the boys in green tomorrow will help even the score -- & if that happens, I think we'll hear the reaction of the 82,000+ spectators even over here!

[JimmyGreaves]

Indeed yes, the forerunner of the unlamented 'B Specials'! However, let's not forget that there's rarely, if ever, any no good side in a civil war.

But to hell with it! Looking towards the past just gives you a sore neck, so instead, take a look at today's Ireland -- a thriving economy & a favourite weekend break destination for the Poms.

Anyway, as far as I'm concerned, a nice, humiliating victory by the boys in green tomorrow will help even the score -- & if that happens, I think we'll hear the reaction of the 82,000+ spectators even over here!

I second that with mucho gusto!

[bozzman101]

i third it too ...........lol

looking forward to it tomorrow

jimmy keep fingers crossed ???? mabey legs too....lol

[troopie]

i third it too ...........lol

looking forward to it tomorrow

jimmy keep fingers crossed ???? mabey legs too....lol

The good news is -- it's on live.
The bad news is -- coverage starts at 00.15 on Sunday!

Oh well, I suppose I'll have to sacrifice Sunday morning -- not that the wife will understand. Strangely unpatriotic creatures, women!

Oh, & O'Drisscol is back -- look out, England!

[Randy Cornhole]

It will be a great game on Sunday with an England win I'm sure. Could you imagine the tension if it were football!! Tossers would be at each others throats with razors and bats. Whereas us chaps will watch the game, and apart from the odd dig will cheer an opponents try and clap the winners....hussar.

[bozzman101]

cool i will be wearing my 6 nations shirt

mainly white only has a green sleve

i hope this wont reflect on the score

Jimmy you can paint yourself green its so hot in hua hin joke.......lol
its 5 evening here start looking at 7 tonight for under 20 dont know who hteir playing yet

[troopie]

It will be a great game on Sunday with an England win I'm sure. Could you imagine the tension if it were football!! Tossers would be at each others throats with razors and bats. Whereas us chaps will watch the game, and apart from the odd dig will cheer an opponents try and clap the winners....hussar.

That is SOOOO true! If there was a football game with this much historical baggage, there would be more cops than spectators -- always supposing the English FA would allow their boys to play in such a dangerous place! But then again, unlike football, rugby has only ever had 1 Irish team -- no Northern Ireland team in the 5 or 6 nations!
Nonetheless, as you implied, I for one shall applaud if England score & shall duly raise a glass or four to the winning team -- meaning Ireland!

[troopie]

Croke match stirs Irish passions
By James Helm
BBC News, Dublin

When the England squad's preparation includes a history lesson, you know that this is no ordinary rugby international.

Irish fans have been relishing this moment for a long time and finally, after all the debate about national anthems, the match is finally upon us.

Earlier this week, Conor O'Shea, the former Ireland international who now works for the English Rugby Football Union, was given the task of explaining the significance and history of Croke Park to England's players.

This magnificent stadium in north Dublin is much more than simply Ireland's - and one of Europe's - finest sporting venues.

It is the headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association, and the beating heart of Ireland's most popular sports, Gaelic football and hurling.

It is the focal point of these sports which are played right across the country, from the smallest villages to the biggest cities, and which have long been closely identified with Irish independence and identity.

So the decision by the GAA to open up Croke Park to what used to be referred to as "foreign games" was a huge deal here.

Huge interest

Ireland's rugby union and soccer teams are being allowed to use "Croker", as it is affectionately known, while their home across the River Liffey, Lansdowne Road, is redeveloped.

The first game, against France two weeks ago, was an enormous occasion, even if it fell a little flat when France scored a late try to edge victory.

rish rugby fans would admit, though, that it was the England game that they were really looking forward to.

Match tickets are like gold dust, with newspapers full of stories of their inflated prices on the thriving black market.

This is a game Irish rugby fans are desperate to see. Their team, after all, has an impressive recent record over their white-shirted rivals, and they are firm favourites to win.

Then there is the history. Croke Park was the scene of a notorious massacre in 1920, prior to Irish independence, when British forces fired into the crowd during a Gaelic football match.

Players and spectators were killed - 14 in all. One of the impressive modern stands, the Hogan Stand, is named after Michael Hogan, a player killed on what became known as "Bloody Sunday".

Anthem controversy

More than 80 years later, many who opposed the opening up of Croke Park will shudder at the prospect of God Save The Queen echoing round the stadium.

Feelings are running high: radio phone-ins and newspapers have this week debated whether the anthem should be played before the match.

A group of Irish republicans say they will be demonstrating outside the stadium.

Not so long ago, the idea of the UK Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Peter Hain, attending a match at Croke Park would have been unthinkable.

But Mr Hain will be there, and at one point there was even talk of him commemorating those who died on Bloody Sunday.

That will not happen. But Mr Hain said: "Above all, this is a sporting occasion between two great friends and rivals. May the best team win."

Many commentators have suggested that this game at Croke Park is a significant symbol of Ireland's transformation.

Bertie Ahern, the Irish Taoiseach (prime minister), said that it would not have happened during the Troubles in Northern Ireland.

As such, after years of the peace process, it is a sign of changed times, although the debate over welcoming in the rugby and soccer teams caused division.

Some argued that it was a mistake to open up the bastion of what are amateur sports to wealthy, professional games which are competing for the attention of Irish young people. Others believed it was time to show the 82,000-capacity stadium to the wider world.

Which brings us to Conor O'Shea's speech to Jonny Wilkinson and his colleagues.

The RFU, aware of the sensitivities involved, wants to avoid any repeat of the type of incident at the 2003 Ireland-England game at Lansdowne Road.

Then, the England team refused to stand on the allotted spot to meet Irish President Mary McAleese, and she was forced to walk across the grass to meet the players. A bit of gamesmanship turned into a fully-fledged row.

With the weight of expectation - and possibly history - on their shoulders against France two weeks ago, Ireland's players struggled.

Now, they and their fans are even more determined to put one over on their old rivals. England cannot say they haven't been warned. The noise of the Croke Park crowd may well be heard across the Irish Sea.

[Jockey]

I nominate this for "Thread of the Year" 2007.

[Big Boy]

I nominate this for "Thread of the Year" 2007.

I agree, it is quite a good thread - an interesting history lesson that I wasn't aware of. However, will it go the same way as the Aussie cricket thread if England win? I suspect there will be a quick change of subject, and Irish rugby forgotten until their next opportunity to get one over on the English.