Shouldn't remembering the dead transcend sport?

[Duncer]

Cliftonville fans mar moment's silence at todays game.

[Duncer]

Will there ever be peace and harmony in Ireland.

There is; it's Norn Iron we need to worry about.

[ichkeria]

I'm not sure that the predictable spectacle of Cliftonville fans in a game v Linfield behaving as shown is a matter for doom and gloom. A few years ago Linfield weren't even allowed to play there, never mind attempt to stage a 2-minute silence before kick-off. The whole of the UK not to mention Ireland, is saddled with its fair share of numpties. And our history is problematical and divisions will take a long time to heal, or at least to not lead to aggro.

[Duncer]

I fully take on board your point about age old divisions, but this only entrenches them and helps reaffirm old bigotries. I made the point that there are indeed a fair share of numpties, including those among our own support, but I don't really see that as a reason for excusing any of them.

[ichkeria]

I'm not excusing them Duncer, not for one moment. But we all know the history of that part of the world, and all I'm saying is we are making progress. If a few years ago you'd have even mentioned the idea that there'd be a 2-minute silence at Solitude for Remembrance Day you'd have been told to get your head felt, as they say in those parts

[jake-the-peg]

I find it somewhat ironic that someone should be forced to wear a poppy against his views in the name of a war against fascism.

[Duncer]

"I find it somewhat ironic that someone should be forced to wear a poppy against his views in the name of a war against fascism."

I would agree entirely jake, but who exactly is being "forced to wear a poppy"? If I didn't want to then I wouldn't, but I could keep my trap shut for long enough to respect the dead.

[Duncer]

If a few years ago you'd have even mentioned the idea that there'd be a 2-minute silence at Solitude for Remembrance Day you'd have been told to get your head felt, as they say in those parts

Up to the late Seventies there was a mark of respect every year at Solitude. It is only with the changing demography (a strange euphemism for what amounts to ethnic cleansing in some areas) of North Belfast that things have changed. I take your point though.