Thought some of you may appreciate this pic!
Paddy was very unlucky earlier today, indeed Amir Khan thought he had won the bout, still, another Medal and a very brave skilful performance.
John Joe is through to the final after a brilliant display knocking out the World No1 and Michael Conlon fights at 8.45pm for a place in the Flyweight Final.
Meanwhile, in the Twilight zone that certain Northern Irish politicians inhabit…… Traditional Jim thinks there’s a problem, don’t start me…..
(Apologies, credit to Hoboroad for the link)
"We in coming days may be" 
Well, in the absence of any Prods-about-the-place – I will say this. Because Jimbo says it – it does not not mean it is not true – although he doesnt seem to advance any evidence – interesting to hear what McCulloch and Frampton have to say.
I do have JJ down for gold (I think he was 9/2) in a double with herself – and I would imagine he will be clear favourite to win gold now. Dont fancy Conlon to do it but again if he does – then he should be favourite to win gold.
Barnes was absolutel brilliant, just walked on to one near the end that probably cost him but he was totally exhausted by then.
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The interesting thing in Jim A’s case is, of course, that Katie is a pentacostal christian, a Prod in other words. Not that I could give a monkeys if she worshipped the cult of “Thee Temple ov Psychick Youth” (Yes they exist….don’t ask) 🙂 or was a rampaging Atheist.
I honestly don’t think most people could care less either but you know what it’s like in this corner of the World.
Totally agree with you about Barnes. Fingers crossed for the other lads
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Im actually drafting a blog with reference to Katies Christianity (I hesitate to say “religion”) because in a broader sense she has gone some way to rehabilitating GOD in Irish Society. The good thing about the Olympic Team was its diversity….Polish, Latvian new citizens and the diaspoar as well as North & Soth. Catholics/Protestants and prolly some Southern Protestants and “active athiests”.
She embraced the flag in a way a Northern Catholic could not have embraced a British flag if selected on British team….but arguably the Pentecostalism is outside the traditional Protestant religions in Ireland.
Jim is wrong to say that Boxing is “sectarian” but it is certainly “sectional”. Most sports have a basis in community (religion or class)……Badminton for example is traditionally “Protestant” and even the game of Bowls might be assumed “Protestant” even in the Republic. Likewise Hockey, Cricket and lets face it GAA….sectional not sectarian.
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Mr Fitz,
I would broadly agree with you but Sports down south really don’t have that tag applied anymore as may be seen by the numbers who engage in multiple disciplines.
My own school (CBS) encouraged Rugby and Cricket for instance. In fact any sport there was an interest in, as long as GAA was practised, that was compulsory 🙂
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FJH,
One of Jimbo’s is allegations is “sectarian abuse being directed at young Protestant boxers from Sandy Row with no adequate redress coming from boxing authorities”
I dont know if that is true or not – presuably the boxing authorities and boxing clubs will have received a complaint and officlally reponsded – or perhaps Jimbo is just pedalling a bit of hearsay.
They should offically respond and if not true consider legal action, if it is true they should make sure it does not happen again. But I dont think it can be dismissed simply because it is Jimbo – he does tend to do detail very well.
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I tend to think that it could certainly happen. But id also think that Allister would or could have mentioned it before now. As an observer I think “Boxing” has got more ruthless….but I tend to think it has a degree of chivalry and honour code. All “hobbyists” tend to be non sectarian….my father use to say that “pigeon men” were the best people as they only cared about their pigeons.
Yet I have heard uncomfortable stories of Boxing in some parts of Ireland being a bit……ahem…..family orientated and feuds between families emerging. Side-betting has always been part of the amateur game but Ive heard that theres big money involved.
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You may be correct in that Mr Fitz, I don’t know, but Jim’s comments come in the wake of increased funding for the sport, announced by the (SF) Minister.
Now I may be wrong but I think that can only be a good thing – extra £3M ! nice.
Boxing tends to be a sport which thrives best in areas which may be somewhat less well off and provides opportunities for youngsters to learn about honour, skill and discipline. Also a good thing in my view.
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I actually wanted to address that question when the Games are over. Someone (Football Cliches, Hobo or Sammy) brought up last night that Katies success distracted us from the fact that the Games were not as successful as we think…My inclination is to think to think that Boxing rescued us again. Increasingly Funding will be an issue.
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http://www.derryjournal.com/news/local/uda-flags-very-concerning-1-4152176
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Easy as pishing in the cold…….Wayne Mc Cullough.
The guy went to every club to fight, train and spar in the Belfast area and this was during the troubles FFS. The issue, if there is an issue might be more akin to rugby and the tradition of participating in the respective sports within the respective communities which are merely a matter of history.
I remember the incident of the young protestant boxer being abused and the outrage within the sport. Mind you, I remember a southern Irish kickboxer (lenihan) getting serious abuse in the Ulster Hall because his robe was patterned on his nation’s flag.
Fitz is right about hobbyists not being interested in religion etc. In my own hobby, martial arts, I’ve never seen it save for the example I gave above. That said, the inter style bitching in the arts would make sectarians look like Ghandi.
I wonder if Jimbo has a “taig spotting” feature on his freeview box?
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Kalista,
My problem with Jimbo is that everything he says is an attempt to restrict nationalists. If I had the skill of a cartoonist I’d depict him, Canute like, with his palm raised to the incoming tide
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I was just telly a protestant (republican) neighbour of mine about it and he said that just as dissident republicans are trying to recreate the genisis of the troubles, Jimbo is trying to be the new Paisley. Well, I suppose on fail and one getting in on the sixth count says a lot about how popular he is.
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Telling, not telly.
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Kalista, In a time of change, there will always be those who want to go backwards. It’s a comfort thing
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re. “In a time of change, there will always be those who want to go backwards.”
Neither SF or the DUP have ‘changed’ in terms of principle or ideology – both have simply reviewed their strategies having arguably both been snookered by John Hume’s very clever and very ambigious plan culminating in the GFA.
There is no ideological difference between Jimbo and Gregory and Deputy Dodsy and he does at least provide a non violent alternative to what most Unionists still think is ‘government with terrorists’ – it would be interesting if a credible, non violent Republican viewpoint arrived to politically challenge SF on their decision to ‘adminster British rule’.
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Sammy,
Correct me if I am wrong but the Northern entity was founded under the threat of violence.That threat of violence has continued ever since from the B Specials, Burntollet Bridge, the UDR (did you ever think what that title means?…defence from who exactly) through Ulster Resistance, Loyalist paramilitaries.
Unionist “Culture” invariably involves various quasi military rituals, most of which involves marching in faux military formations. It is actually a mimicry of a perception of Britishism (New word), down to the bowler hats and umbrellas.
Perhaps your question about a new Republicanism is best addressed to FJH. I am certainly a Republican, but in the true sense of that word.
I am not a Shinner nor an SDLP’er but I’m open to argument.
FJH’s points about “Letsgetalongeraists” are absolutely correct but they are going nowhere politically. The Bel Tel has become the Alliance Party leaflet with a bit of sectarian provocation thrown in for spice with a high moral overtone.
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I suspect that those forwarding a letsgetalongerist ideology……by (lets say) influencing a message board might also seek to influence (lets say) a newspaper……which might well commission polls which are given some prominence on (lets say) a messageboard. Those forwarding such an ideology might (lets say) be in a position to advice (lets say) a charity which might be in a position to (lets say) donate large amounts of money to (lets say) a letsalongerist political party which migh (lets say) get favourable treatment on (lets say) a message board and (lets say) a newspaper.
As you can see I am prone to (lets say) flights of fancy because surely this would be very unlikely in real life.
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Very good Mr Fitz……….
I wonder who would be cunning enough to devise such a strategem?
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Oh Mr BangorDub…..I fear you are adding two and two and making……well to be honest ….four.
I was hoping I was being cryptic. 🙂
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Sammy,
Bit of a rant there. Was frustrated after the JJ Nevin boxing. Ahem
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As an armchair boxer(and repulbican) the boy JJ seemed to have got his tactics badly wrong there..
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I thought he fought well
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For those in doubt about the corruption at play in the boxing (see BBC report a few night s ago) the fight between the Thai and the Chinese guy should be a wake up call. That was a fek’n disgrace and well done to the London crowd for seeing it for what it was.
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To be honest, I watched the match between a British heavyweight and an Italian and it was tied and went to countback and the British guy won. Theres always a few dodgy boxing decisions.
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http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2187660/London-2012-Olympics-Nadzeya-Ostapchuk-stripped-gold-medal-failed-drugs-test.html
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Jimbo’s allegations have some substance it seems – quite how much remains to be seen. Very bad that if these concerns were raised by the Sandy Row club they were not dealt with.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-19328670
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Agreed Sammy,
This should be investigated and dealt with. It is unnacceptable, not just in sport but in any forum
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