THIS week’s sporting letter of the week addresses the issue of the national anthem that sports editor Donn O’Sullivan covered in last week’s column.
To refresh, Donn’s piece is below and reader’s letter from Tomas Walsh, shares an opinion.
OUR National Anthem. Yes, Amhran na bhfiann, was given differing levels of respect last weekend in sporting circles.
First off we had the Irish rugby team, who did not get to hear their own anthem, as they were playing away from home and thus, they are no longer Ireland, it seems.
Secondly we had the Gaelic Grounds version of the anthem, which was from a CD and played twice. Yes twice, over the PA.
Finally, the Irish soccer fans managed to retrieve some dignity when they gave a resounding rendition of the song in Poland.
So, well done the FAI. The IRFU need to take a long look at themselves, while the GAA need to spend a few quid on a pipe band.
The most important thing for everyone to remember is respect is everything and our anthem deserves that if nothing else.
Dear Donn
Living in Limerick these past 18 months I have taken the time each week to read the Limerick post. Yours is a column I read with regularity. More often than not I find myself disagreeing with at least one opinion expressed in your piece, but this week I feel the need to voice my disagreement.
In this week’s column you extol the virtues of respect, in particular for the national anthem and for the most part I agree. The fans and team in Poland sang with gusto and we can be proud of them. The playing of the national anthem from a CD over a PA system is in rather poor taste. I have my opinions over the regularity with which the GAA feel the need to play the anthem but that is for another day.
On to the heart of the matter, we have all had the IRFU is an all-island body discussion, so I wish to progress beyond this argument and add in the concept of respect. Here in the Republic of Ireland our national flag is green white and orange. Green representing the Republican tradition, and orange representing the minority Orange/ Unionist tradition on the island of Ireland. And white for peace between them. This peace should be founded on a respect between these traditions. It is my opinion that within the Republic we have failed to live up to the virtues symbolised in our national flag by failing to respect the minority Orange tradition on this island. They are here and here to stay. Many people from this Orange/Unionist tradition choose to represent US the people of Ireland on the field of play in many sports including rugby. If as you say respect is everything, lets respect our neighbours and team-mates by not shoving our tradition (in this case a song unrepresentative of them) down their faces.
With respect,
Tomás Walsh
Tweet @donnosullivan, email: [email protected] or send your letters to Donn O’Sullivan, Limerick Post Newspaper, 97 Henry Street, Limerick
