It would have pleased some people that neither the Union Flag or the Tricolour flew at Mourneview Park and that 'God Save the Queen' and 'Amhrán na bhFiann' were not played. The occasion - a soccer match at Mourneview Park between NI and ROI women. Not necessarily by mutual prior consent or just the desire to get on with the game. It appears to have been a decision by administrative authorities because of some 'threat' - at this stage origin of threat unknown.
My own view? A pathetic cop-out. A poor reflection on the sport of soccer that it has still appears to have problems observing the most basic protocol of international football. A clear indication that there are some sections of our population that still can't abide the 'other' to the extent of courtesy and mutual respect. Worst of all that NI soccer still suffers from some narrow, insular and threatening attitudes - whatever the source.
The IFA have made strides forward at NI Senior internationals. So too have the, vast vast majority of the crowd. Somewhere, however, lurks the bigot and the bully. What a pity!