Live

Highlights on Off The Ball

07:00 AM-01:00 PM

Highlights on Off The Ball
Advertisement
Hurling

'The concept of nationalism is dying' | Northern Ireland and the GAA | Joe Brolly

The concept of nationalism is on its last legs, according to former Derry footballer and current barrister Joe Brolly.



Hurling

'The concept of nationalism is dying' | Northern Ireland and the GAA | Joe Brolly

The concept of nationalism is on its last legs, according to former Derry footballer and current barrister Joe Brolly.

The island of Ireland has the opportunity to co-host Euro 2028, alongside the United Kingdom. A redeveloped Casement Park would be the only Northern Ireland stadium capable of meeting UEFA’s requirement to host matches.

The bid has put a fresh spot light on the delays and complications the project has faced. While Brolly believes that mistakes made while engaging with local residents are the root of the current issues, he also thinks that the failure to modernise the GAA facility while new soccer and rugby stadiums have been build is reflective of long standing divides in Northern Ireland.

However, he thinks the situation is quickly changing. Speaking as part of an interview with Sheahan for OTB AM, Brolly discussed the concept of nationalism.

"I think that 'nationalism' as a concept is dying anyway," Brolly said. "Ireland is in a sort of very strong federation of 27 states.

"All together, of the 48 European countries and dependancies, 45 of them are either in the European Union, European free trade areas, like the Scandinavian countries or are applying to join the EU.

"There are are only three outside. Belarus, Russia and now the United Kingdom."

Brolly believes that how Brexit has been viewed by Scotland recently is an example of the decline of nationalism.

"The Scots are trying to disassociate themselves from this," Brolly said. "They never voted for Brexit. We see where that nationalism brings you, that xenophobia.

"We see it in Russia, in Belarus. We are seeing it in England. In Ireland, I think the people are happy to be Europeans now."

While the two countries are not yet ready for unification, Brolly believes that nationalism in both the Republic and the North is dying.

"Increasingly, of course we go and cheer the team on when they are playing rugby," Brolly said. "We cheer the team on when they play their big soccer games.

"But, the concept of nationalism, I think it's dying. It is dying. I think it is dying in the North a well, I believe. We are seeing through Brexit how ridiculous it is."


Read more about

All-ireland Brexit Brolly DUP England Eoin Sheahan Euro Euro 2028 Fans Football GAA Goal Goals Highlights Hungry Ireland Joe Brolly Joe Brolly Interview Joe Brolly Off The Ball Joe Brolly Podcast Joe Brolly Rant Kenny Northern Ireland OTB AM Live OTB Football Off The Ball Off The Ball Joe Brolly Off The Ball Live Otb Otb Live Otb Sports Otbam Parrott Politics Rant Republic Of Ireland Sheahan Sinn Fein Soccer Stephen Kenny Troy Parrott

Live: Title

Description

Added to queue
Removed from queue

On Air

Share

Share

Next up in queue

Title
Description
Duration

There are currently no podcasts in the queue

Go to podcasts

On Air

Highlights on Off The Ball

Highlights on Off The Ball

07:00 AM-01:00 PM

Share

Up next

Live: Sunday Paper Review

Live: Sunday Paper Review

01:00 PM-02:00 PM

Share

LIVE: OTB Weekend

LIVE: OTB Weekend

02:00 PM-07:00 PM

Share

Highlights on Off The Ball

Highlights on Off The Ball

07:00 PM-12:00 AM

Share

Repeat: OTB AM

Repeat: OTB AM

12:00 AM-02:00 AM

Share

Repeat: Off The Ball

Repeat: Off The Ball

02:00 AM-05:00 AM

Share

Repeat: OTB AM

Repeat: OTB AM

05:00 AM-07:00 AM

Share

Highlights on Off The Ball

Highlights on Off The Ball

07:00 AM-07:30 AM

Share

LIVE: OTB AM

LIVE: OTB AM

07:30 AM-10:00 AM

Share

Repeat: OTB AM

Repeat: OTB AM

10:00 AM-12:00 PM

Share

00:00:00 / 00:00:00

Share on