Paisley leads protest over Sunday rugby
Ian Paisley led a “Never on a Sunday” protest in Belfast today as thousands of rugby fans flocked to Ulster’s first round European Cup match against Leicester to see its array of England World Cup winning stars.
The Democratic Unionist Party leader joined parishioners from the Mount Merrion Free Presbyterian Church close to the Ravenhill ground in south Belfast who are implacably opposed to games on the Sabbath.
It was Ulster’s first-ever Sunday match and Mr Paisley and around 40 people sang hymns and handed out leaflets opposing the game as 12,000 fans arrived - drawn by the prospect of watching England captain Martin Johnston and team mates Austin Healey and Neil Back take to the pitch.
Fans entering the ground said the Free Presbyterians had a right to protest but that they thought it should be a matter of personal choice whether to go to a match on a Sunday.
The Mount Merrion Church is close to one of the main gates of the ground and despite the efforts of Ulster Rugby to minimise disruption remains totally opposed to Sunday sport.
The Government and Morals Committee of the Free Presbyterian Church criticised the rugby authorities, sponsors Heineken and Sky TV for “showing no regard to the Sabbath Day and little respect for worshippers in the immediate area of the ground at Ravenhill“.
European Cup organisers have confirmed they will give “careful consideration’ to the timing of future Ulster matches.
