No one should play their propaganda game!

By Barry McNally

In the concluding years of the 19th century in a room in Thurles, Co Tipperary 7 IRB men held a meeting. The outcome of that meeting would alter Irish History and set about the Gaelic revival of Gaelic games and Irish culture.

It was Saturday 1st November 1884, what the men organised that day in the room continues to entertain, fascinate and captivate a nation. This event being the formation of the Gaelic Athletic Association.

In the early years the formation of GAA clubs sprung up throughout Ireland and matches were commonplace. Aimed at reviving the Irish culture and identity, the GAA set out to revive Irish culture through the medium of sport. This led to increased surveillance and hostility by British forces in Ireland. Leading in 1888 to a ban on RIC and members of the crown forces partaking in any GAA games.

Such hostility and brutality, by the RIC and British crown forces continued unabated in the GAA. Even playing GAA games was enough for a person to receive the unwanted attention of the notorious Black and Tans.

On Sunday, November 21st the Black and Tans brought carnage to Croke Park when they opened fire in the middle of a GAA match between Tipperary and Dublin. A young Tipperary footballer was shot dead as he tried to take cover from the bullets reining down in Croke Park.

His name was Michael Hogan. Many others were killed and injured.

So right from its very formation, the GAA had become the target of British forces in Ireland.

This as we have seen from the last 35 years of conflict in Ireland remains the case. The dropping of Rule 21, in my view appeased the RUC and tried to legitimise them.

When we see the names of people murdered by British forces such Aidan McAnespie and Sean Browne, who were actively involved in the GAA we can see the extent to which the British forces were out to wreck havoc on our national games and Irish identity.

The recent Gaelic football match between St. Brigids (South Belfast) and the PSNI was, in my opinion a major propaganda victory for the PSNI/RUC. In doing so, teams who play the PSNI/RUC are trying to make them (PSNI/RUC) look more acceptable- which they certainly are not.

If you look at the extent to which the British Forces and PSNI/RUC are involved in collusion, you would certainly see that they are not acceptable. If you look at the killing of Michael Hogan on the football field and Aidan McAnespie as he went to the GAA ground in Aughnacloy, Co. Tyrone, you would see they are not acceptable. And if you look at the roadside beatings, intimidation and torture given to many people on their way to GAA fixtures you would see they are not acceptable.

Is it any coincidence that a PSNI/RUC watchtower and base looms large over Crossmaglen rangers pitch in Co. Armagh- I think not.

In closing I believe that, as set out in 1884, the GAA should be about preserving and maintaining our national games and Irish culture. Surely British forces or the PSNI/RUC should have no part to play in this. No one should play their propaganda game!