BBC Radio 4 Extra

sportbrit

Sport and the British

Sport and the British: Episode 20: Ireland, North of the Border

Documentaries

Factual: History

Sport

Ireland, North of the Border

Episode 20

Episode 20: Ireland, North of the Border

BBC Radio 4 Extra - Sport and the British, Ireland, North of the Border

Clare is in Belfast to explore the impact that the Troubles had on sport in the region.

Clare Balding is in Belfast to explore the impact that the Troubles in Northern Ireland had on sport and its sportsmen.

While sport is endlessly talked of as a force for unity, in today's edition of Sport and the British, Clare Balding's in Belfast on the Falls Road, where it's clear that here sport was just another arena to reinforce divisions that rent the community in two.
In Northern Ireland the sporting choices for people were, for so long, based on their religious and political backgrounds. In soccer there was one team for the Catholics, Belfast Celtic, Linfield for the Protestants. Clare hears about the violent clashes that always ensued when these two teams met, finally leading to the disbandment of Celtic. Boxer, Barry Mcguigan talks about how he tried to be identified with neither side and we hear about the only sporting hero that did manage to straddle the divide, uniting both sides, George Best
Producer: Lucy Lunt.

Your digital radio entertainment station showcasing the best in comedy and drama

Your digital radio entertainment station showcasing the best in comedy and drama. With recent favourites from BBC Radio 4.

Clare Balding charts how sport has shaped the British and how Britain has shaped sport

Clare Balding presents a 30-part series charting how sport has shaped the British and how Britain has shaped sport

BBC Radio 4

BBC Radio 4 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced BBC Home Service.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Sport and the British

Episode 20: Ireland, North of the Border

Genres

Formats

Series

BBC Radio 4 Extra

About BBC Radio 4 Extra