Fair play to Ringland...
Former Irish rugby international, and Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) member, Trevor Ringland has criticised Tom Elliott, the newly elected leader of the UUP, for saying he has no intention of attending GAA matches.
Mr Ringland stated he would leave the party if Mr Elliott did not change his attitude towards the GAA.
In an interview with The Belfast Telegraph during the leadership election campaign Mr Elliott stated:
'I have indicated at party meetings that whilst some members of our party would go to gay pride marches or GAA matches, I wouldn't go. That's a personal issue, but I hold no issue with any of those who would.'
Mr Ringland, in the wake of Mr Elliott's election as party leader, has called on him to change his stance on the matter.
Mr Ringland said:
'I would guarantee him that if there is an Ulster team in the All-Ireland final next year I will get him two tickets for that All-Ireland final. I want to hear him say in the next few days that if I get him those tickets that he will go to that match.'
He continued:
'I see people who are reaching out to the unionist community, reaching out to try and build a shared society here and they need encouragement as well. They need to see and hear a unionism that actually wants to have a relationship with them.'
RT Sport: GAA - Ringland slams Elliott's GAA stance
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Finally we hear a Unionist Politician who is sending out all the right signals to the Nationalist community & is also embracing our beloved Sport...
Unionists think its ok to publicly condemn & turn their nose down at Irish cultures / traditions & treating the GAA family as some kind of terrorists or armcair terrorists. fecking sick of their bigoted shite
Well done Trev - good on ya mate