Originally posted by Frodo:

Not sure about this and would be interested to hear the arguements one way or the other. In a week when the existance of deep rooted sectarianism is again confirmed in the north, 88 "peace walls" now in Belfast, and with the obvious antaganism towards the Irish soccer team from loyalist areas of the north is this not going to be seen as confirming the divide. I hope I hardly need to state my abhorrance of the act and that the families no doubt are acting with the best intentions but I am not sure if this is something the FAI should be involved in? Opinions?

Originally posted by frasiercrane:
What are they wearing the balack armbands for.

Originally posted by LimerickExileInClare:
Im sure that opinion on this particular issue will be very much divided.
I can vividly remember that horrific incident as I have an indirect association with Loughinisland.
That particular bar The Heights was seen as a Catholic Bar and tensions were very high at the time.
This attack,which was carriesd out by Loyalist gunmen, was believed to be in relatiation for the deaths of 3 UVF members by the INLA two days earlier in the Shankill in Belfast.
Six innocent people,including an 87 year old man,were gunned down while watching the Republic playing Italy on the 18th Jume 1994.
No earnest effort was made to identify the persons that carried out this deed, in fact a cloud of suspicion hangs over the whole investigative process that prevailed at the time - enough said as I dont want go to into anymore detail.
On a personal basis I welcome the gesture but I appreciate that other people may very well have a different view completely.
As some one who has more than a passing knowledge of the North I can categorically say that it will take more than few decades to eradicate the "deep rooted sectarianism" that exist at present.
There will always be antagonism against the Republic of Ireland soccer from Loyalist areas,watching RTE 2 Programme Green is The Colour last confirms that this has gone on for generations.
Its my personal opinion that the proposed gesture by the FAI,while it may not do too much for relations between the two soccer authorities in the Island,will not fuel the antagonism to any greater heights than it is at present.
I always feel that whatever hope that the Northern Ireland soccer team has of attracting "nationalist" support it will not succeed while is stadium is in the centre of one of the most staunchest loyalist in the North.

Originally posted by The Parting Gas:
Saw that documentary on the history of Irish soccer last night. Truth be told, it was a bit crap

Originally posted by stones_off:
I thought it was very good. Very interesting.

Originally posted by An Carta Bui:
The deep rooted sectarianism works both ways and despite what Adams and his gang claim it is as bad as ever with more peace walls now than in the 90s. Loughlinisland also showed the Provos that the Loyalist paramilitaries were going to continue hitting nationalists in retaliation for any attack on loyalists or security forces. It created a momentum that led to the Provos to realise that neither side was going to win militarily.

Originally posted by Ozzy:
The Irish soccer team wore black armbands to mark the death of Diana, so the FAI can hardly be accused of sectarianism now. If some people want to be offended by this; a team wearing black armbands to honour innocent people who were gunned down mercilessly, they're the ones with the problem. The FAI are not responsible.
I'd say Northern Ireland have missed their chance of attracting large scale Catholic support at this stage. Catholics can declare for the Republic easily now and that's what the better players are going to do. I know the authorities in the North don't like this, but there's no legitimacy to their complaints IMO. People in the North are entitled to Irish passports and citizenship,no reason they would want to represent a state they don't feel allegiance to.

Originally posted by Ozzy:
The Irish soccer team wore black armbands to mark the death of Diana, so the FAI can hardly be accused of sectarianism now. If some people want to be offended by this; a team wearing black armbands to honour innocent people who were gunned down mercilessly, they're the ones with the problem. The FAI are not responsible.
I'd say Northern Ireland have missed their chance of attracting large scale Catholic support at this stage. Catholics can declare for the Republic easily now and that's what the better players are going to do. I know the authorities in the North don't like this, but there's no legitimacy to their complaints IMO. People in the North are entitled to Irish passports and citizenship,no reason they would want to represent a state they don't feel allegiance to.

Originally posted by Ozzy:
The Irish soccer team wore black armbands to mark the death of Diana,

Originally posted by frasiercrane:
Irish Independent
19th May 2012• What is the FAI thinking about? Black armbands for the game against Italy in Euro 2012! Loughinisland was just one of many atrocities on both sides of the divide in Northern Ireland, over a period of more than 30 years. It is far from unique in the context of the "Troubles".It seems UEFA agreed after an approach by the FAI on behalf of the families.John Delaney said: "It was more that the Irish team recognised this particular one as important given the significance of the date and the team we're playing."Strangely, he followed this by saying he would be meeting some of the players to tell them the "reason and rationale" for this.Will this mean, for example, that for future internationals against Northern Ireland, the Republic will be obliged to don black armbands at the request of the IFA and the relatives of those killed at Kingsmill, or Enniskillen, or any one of numerous other atrocities perpetrated by republicans. Dates or coincidence are neither here nor there.To me, and I am sure many others, this kind of politically inspired nonsense has no place at Euro 2012 or any other sporting event. I sincerely hope the players tell Mr Delaney what to do with his "reason and rationale".Niall Ginty
Killester, Dublin 5

Originally posted by frasiercrane:
Irish Independent
19th May 2012• What is the FAI thinking about? Black armbands for the game against Italy in Euro 2012! Loughinisland was just one of many atrocities on both sides of the divide in Northern Ireland, over a period of more than 30 years. It is far from unique in the context of the "Troubles".It seems UEFA agreed after an approach by the FAI on behalf of the families.John Delaney said: "It was more that the Irish team recognised this particular one as important given the significance of the date and the team we're playing."Strangely, he followed this by saying he would be meeting some of the players to tell them the "reason and rationale" for this.Will this mean, for example, that for future internationals against Northern Ireland, the Republic will be obliged to don black armbands at the request of the IFA and the relatives of those killed at Kingsmill, or Enniskillen, or any one of numerous other atrocities perpetrated by republicans. Dates or coincidence are neither here nor there.To me, and I am sure many others, this kind of politically inspired nonsense has no place at Euro 2012 or any other sporting event. I sincerely hope the players tell Mr Delaney what to do with his "reason and rationale".Niall Ginty
Killester, Dublin 5