McElduff stands up for the Ulstermen

Talk about the men in white, and everything Ulster!!

Moderator: Moderators

User avatar
mikerob
Lord Chancellor
Posts: 9128
Joined: Mon Sep 26, 2005 7:50 pm
Location: Chiswick, London

McElduff stands up for the Ulstermen

Post by mikerob »

Mods... feel free to move this... but it is about Ulster rugby. :red:

Somehow I don't think he bought his own ticket.... :wink:

Image
Nationalists urged to back Ulster rugby

Sinn Fein MLA Barry McElduff watched the Ulster v Munster rugby match at Ravenhill

SINN Fein MLA Barry McElduff has urged nationalists to support the Ulster rugby team after he paid a visit to Ravenhill for a match.
The West Tyrone representative, a GAA enthusiast, even joined in the famous supporters' chant, Stand Up for the Ulstermen, claiming that he certainly stood up for the Ulstermen when the time came.

And after admitting that he thoroughly enjoyed the experience, he has urged other republicans to follow his lead, despite the fact that rugby has always traditionally been associated with the unionist tradition in Northern Ireland.

The Sinn Fein MLA – who is also chairman of Stormont's Sports Committee – said that sport was "absolutely unique" in that it played a part in breaking down barriers.

He also said that learning more about each other's cultures and interests was a valuable way of building an understanding in a divided society.

"Anyone who knows me knows I have a very strong interest in Gaelic sports, but I had a thoroughly enjoyable evening at Ravenhill and I am very grateful to the people at Ulster Rugby who hosted me," Mr McElduff said.

"I would certainly encourage anyone from my background to go down and take in a game at Ravenhill, it was great fun and had a great social aspect to it."

His visit follows a groundbreaking move by former DUP Sports Minister Edwin Poots earlier this year when he attended a Gaelic football match between Down and Donegal.

The Lagan Valley MLA also spoke at the Gaelic Athletic Association's Ulster Council meeting during his time in office. Mr Poots' successor and party colleague Gregory Campbell has followed his lead and was recently a guest at the official opening of a Gaelic sports club in south Belfast. Mr McElduff also said he would be prepared to accept an invitation to attend a game at Windsor Park, home ground of the Northern Ireland football team.

"If I got an invitation from the Irish Football Association to attend a match in my capacity as chairman of the committee I would be happy to accept it," he said.
http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/Nation ... 4631094.jp

There is also a thread on Slugger OToole
HwoodMike2umate
Lord Chancellor
Posts: 6232
Joined: Tue Jun 21, 2005 4:31 pm
Location: holywood (or glasgow)
Contact:

Re: McElduff stands up for the Ulstermen

Post by HwoodMike2umate »

Think he spotted the yella flegs.

Thought i'd heard some of the Tyrone team were 2 b there. Anyone spot any of them?
http://www.cryptome.org/

Klaatu barada nikto

Nollaig Shona Daoibh
User avatar
pwrmoore
Rí­ na Cúige Uladh
Posts: 11885
Joined: Sat Jun 11, 2005 8:51 am
Location: East Belfast

Re: McElduff stands up for the Ulstermen

Post by pwrmoore »

I posted about the Tyrone team after I saw it announced (on the UR site I think) but if they were there it was certainly in a very low-key capacity. They shoudl have brought Sam Maguire with them and been presented to the crowd.
Paul.

C'mon Ulsterrrrrrrrr! :red:
User avatar
ColinM
Lord Chancellor
Posts: 7858
Joined: Tue Aug 28, 2007 3:11 pm

Re: McElduff stands up for the Ulstermen

Post by ColinM »

pwrmoore wrote:I posted about the Tyrone team after I saw it announced (on the UR site I think) but if they were there it was certainly in a very low-key capacity. They shoudl have brought Sam Maguire with them and been presented to the crowd.
Must admit i was kinda half expecting that at half time. That or cheerleaders.
User avatar
ding dong2u
Red Hand Ambassador
Posts: 2033
Joined: Sat Jun 11, 2005 8:55 pm
Location: University of Walamaloo

Re: McElduff stands up for the Ulstermen

Post by ding dong2u »

Agreed pwr would have been great to see them there after another outstanding season. As for yer man ........ the more the merrier I reckon ........ don't care who comes along as long as they are there to support Ulster :cheers:
Stand Up for the Ulster Men

RIP Nevin Spence 1990 - 2012
Lisburnsooty
Novice
Posts: 25
Joined: Sun Feb 10, 2008 2:43 pm

Re: McElduff stands up for the Ulstermen

Post by Lisburnsooty »

Heard Barry McElduff on Radio Ulster today and was pleased that he seemed to genuinely enjoy the match. He was sincere and spoke well of his experience.

He als joked about a 50 - 50 rugby - Gaa match.

Brilliant idea and I would pay to watch that.

There is hope for us yet !
User avatar
Snipe Watson
Rí­ na Cúige Uladh
Posts: 23443
Joined: Mon Sep 08, 2008 6:42 pm

Re: McElduff stands up for the Ulstermen

Post by Snipe Watson »

I’ll tell you what gets on my wick…Rugby being portrayed as a Unionist game in the same way as Gaelic games are Nationalist. Only someone who knew nothing of the game or viewed it as a ‘foreign sport’ could be so wrong about one of the few sports to rise above the tribalism that has permeated most other aspects of life on this backward little island.

When he stands on the Spion Kop at Windsor doing the bouncey I'll admit he has gone into 'the belly of the beast'.
User avatar
StevieD
Novice
Posts: 152
Joined: Fri Feb 08, 2008 2:22 pm

Re: McElduff stands up for the Ulstermen

Post by StevieD »

Couldn’t agree with you more Gerry, I am from the Nationalist community and have been supporting UR for several years now and have never experienced an Ulster rugby fan being concerned with what colour, creed, age, sex, nationality you may or may not be. In fact weighing in to Ravenhill on a Friday evening is a breath of fresh air, getting away from all the brad pitt that goes on in this country.
User avatar
mikerob
Lord Chancellor
Posts: 9128
Joined: Mon Sep 26, 2005 7:50 pm
Location: Chiswick, London

Re: McElduff stands up for the Ulstermen

Post by mikerob »

Lisburnsooty wrote:Heard Barry McElduff on Radio Ulster today and was pleased that he seemed to genuinely enjoy the match. He was sincere and spoke well of his experience.
Its available on iPlayer, about 1 hr 10 mins into the 27 Oct Talkback.
User avatar
Rooster
Rí­ na Cúige Uladh
Posts: 40137
Joined: Sat Jun 11, 2005 12:39 am
Location: Chicken coop 17

Re: McElduff stands up for the Ulstermen

Post by Rooster »

Oh Gerry wrote:
When he stands on the Spion Kop at Windsor doing the bouncey I'll admit he has gone into 'the belly of the beast'.
He said this morning if he gets an invite he will certainly go :thumleft:
“That made me feel very special and underlined to me that Ulster is more than a team, it is a community and a rugby family"
Rory Best
User avatar
ali c
Warrior
Posts: 1111
Joined: Tue Oct 04, 2005 9:22 pm

Re: McElduff stands up for the Ulstermen

Post by ali c »

bit over dressed for the event ... someone buy the man a rugby shirt!
Image
User avatar
TheElephantMan
Steward
Posts: 939
Joined: Wed Jun 25, 2008 5:56 pm

Re: McElduff stands up for the Ulstermen

Post by TheElephantMan »

under his shirt he was wearing a gaa top :blueafro:
fermain
Rí­ na Cúige Uladh
Posts: 12929
Joined: Sat Jun 11, 2005 12:09 am
Location: Beer garden

Re: McElduff stands up for the Ulstermen

Post by fermain »

Rooster wrote:
Oh Gerry wrote:
When he stands on the Spion Kop at Windsor doing the bouncey I'll admit he has gone into 'the belly of the beast'.
He said this morning if he gets an invite he will certainly go :thumleft:
Tight ># , he should buy his own ticket!
:red: :red: :red: :red: :red: :red: :red:
Save lives, become an organ donor!!
ArticDonkey

Re: McElduff stands up for the Ulstermen

Post by ArticDonkey »

pwrmoore wrote:I posted about the Tyrone team after I saw it announced (on the UR site I think) but if they were there it was certainly in a very low-key capacity. They shoudl have brought Sam Maguire with them and been presented to the crowd.
A lot of the Tyrone players were involved in club championships and the international series in Oz. Not to say that there wasn't any there, I'm sure Mickey Harte is available. But then Sam is back where he belongs... down here in Tyrone :stir:
User avatar
bogboy
Chancellor to the King
Posts: 3124
Joined: Mon Jun 20, 2005 10:02 pm
Location: 2 close 4 comfort

Re: McElduff stands up for the Ulstermen

Post by bogboy »

Rugby is not a Unionist sport it is an all Ireland game

but the fact that some think it is defines how petty minded they are and how little understanding they have

In order to smell the flowers you must first get out of the sewer
2B or not 2B that is the question ?
Post Reply