Daniel Collins

Is Irish Rugby Truly the Beacon of Inclusiveness It Is Purported to Be?

Daniel Collins on October 23, 2015, 8:12 am

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We often hear that Irish rugby has yet to shed its elitist baggage and that the very significant level of coverage devoted to the game by the Irish media is disproportionate in comparison to the level of genuine national interest in the game across the country – whether this is true or not, it’s a debate that rages on in light of Ireland’s elimination from the Rugby World Cup at the hands of Argentina last weekend – but, amidst all …

High Time Media Moved on from Indulging Pseudo-Controversy Surrounding James McClean and “Poppy Issue”

Daniel Collins on June 28, 2015, 11:34 pm

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The media don’t half like flogging dead horses. Right on cue, James McClean‘s move to West Bromwich Albion last week prompted talk in the Belfast Telegraph (not for the first time) of his repeated eschewing of the wearing of a political poppy on his various past clubs’ football jerseys around Britain’s celebration of its Remembrance Sunday each year. This was despite the fact we are half a year on (or away from) November, when the reporting of such a trivial item might have …

FAI Still Not Convincing over €5M FIFA Pay-Out

Daniel Collins on June 9, 2015, 1:46 pm

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The Republic of Ireland football team extended their unbeaten run versus England to over 30 years with a friendly match draw in Dublin last Sunday. Thankfully, the affair was uneventful off the field and there was no repeat of the riotous scenes witnessed in the stands when the two teams last met on Irish soil back in 1995. Things were just as uneventful on the field, unfortunately; the game ended 0-0 with very little creativity or imagination demonstrated by either side. …

Another Societal Milestone Passed; What Next for Progressing Ireland?

Daniel Collins on June 1, 2015, 9:41 am

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Last Saturday’s overwhelmingly positive referendum outcome in support of constitutional recognition for same-sex marriage was a great result for progress, equality, liberty, inclusion, rights for everyone and all things good in Ireland. It was a proud and historic moment for Irish society generally and especially for those Irish citizens living in the Republic who had and positively utilised the residential privilege to vote. To think homosexual acts were only decriminalised in the state 22 years ago in 1993… Having found themselves under the repressive moral and …

Yes to Marriage Equality!

Daniel Collins on May 21, 2015, 10:01 pm

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Gay people have long been subjected to the nonsensical presumption that they and the activities in which they engage are unnatural; as if the concept of opposite-sex marriage is somehow more natural than the concept of same-sex marriage. This happens to form one of the most popular moral attacks against homosexuality out there. Both types of marriage are non-static social constructs and, thus, both are inherently as natural or unnatural as each other (if one indeed wishes to invoke such a false and meaningless dichotomy as …

Football Eligibility: An Issue for the Misinformed and Those Seeking to Deny National Rights?

Daniel Collins on April 13, 2015, 2:01 pm

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The matter of the eligibility of northern-born Irish nationals to play for the Football Association of Ireland was raised again recently at a panel discussion on sport and reconciliation during the 50th plenary session of the British Irish Parliamentary Assembly (BIPA). It was co-chaired by Frank Feighan of Fine Gael, who told us that the “trend… deserves careful consideration”. This dispute has long been resolved, however, with football’s governing body, FIFA, providing ample clarification as to the correct application of their …