Mods... feel free to move this... but it is about Ulster rugby.
Somehow I don't think he bought his own ticket....
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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'.
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.
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.
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