I’m a huge fan of Dublin Opinion, the classic magazine which prided itself on being the “National Humorous journal of Ireland”. I try to pick up issues of magazines like it whenever they pop up, as they’re a goldmine of content. Not only the articles and comics, but even the advertisements, are priceless. The cartoon below from the April 1933 edition of the magazine. The cartoon pokes fun at the strict ban on GAA players attending or taking part in soccer matches.
An Irish Times report of January 23 1929, reported one speaker at a GAA convention stating that
The atmosphere connected with Rugby and ‘soccer’ was inimical to Irish nationalism, and it would be very unwise to remove the ban at this stage
One speaker went one further, arguing that removing the GAA ban on the playing of ‘foreign sports’ would amount to treachery.
Mr. Murphy, Clarecastle, said that they would be deserting the Gaels in the six counties if they remove the ban.