Friday, September 7, 2007

We're All Namibians This Weekend....

Well, not quite.

Despite all that's happened recently, I don't think I could actively cheer against a team which has traditionally contained so many of my fellow countrymen.

However, as the IRFU made quite clear last month, the concept of an "Ireland" rugby team now exists in name only- the team playing the African underdogs on Sunday is, in fact, representing Republic of Ireland, not the whole island.

And until the IRFU recognises that a Belfast fixture for their team is not an "away game" and that supporters and players from North of the border have the same right to have their anthem and emblems respected as those from the rest of the island, then the "Ireland" Rugby team will not be my and many other Ulstermen's team.

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