US college hockey teams to compete for the Belpot this fall

Orange isn't the new green, but the Belfast Giants are trying their best to be "non-partisan"

From Wikipedia

Sectarianism had long been seen as a significant problem in some sports in Northern Ireland. When the club was established, the Belfast Giants were keen that the club not attach itself to a particular faith or community, instead wanting to represent Belfast as a whole. A number of policies were subsequently introduced to try to ensure this. Particular clothing (such as association football replica shirts), which might have displayed a person's political or religious affiliation, were banned and flags were not permitted to be brought into the arena. The national anthem of the United Kingdom, traditionally played before games at other arenas in the Elite League, is not played before Giants games. These policies have been successful and the Giants have quickly built a large and enthusiastic fanbase who did not have to fear the sectarianism that marred other sports in Northern Ireland.

is both ignorant and hateful. Unfortunately the civil war in Ireland is still going on, albeit at a far lesser intensity, and the Orangemen still march to celebrate their hate. The walls, physical and economic, still exist in Belfast, despite the sometimes growing economy, trendy bars and restaurants, and a hockey team.
And your racist "plastic paddy" reference is just another form of hate. I am sure if you respond you will have some lame justification or excuse why its ok. It's not.
As other posters have pointed out, the mayor of Belfast, and many others in Northern Ireland, are in favor of unification. Sinn Fein is a legal party, but the UK government hasn't stopped their war against the party members. The unification issue is not going away just because your ignorant American sensibility finds it boring.
And what's your issue with anonymous posters expressing their opinion? Registering as "Neal" still means your totally anonymous. If you don't like anonymous opinions, feel free to give us your full name, address, and phone number, you coward.

and let me tell you and those authentic Irish: I could absolutely not give a rat's ass. I'm one American of Irish descent (2nd generation) who truly doesn't give a phuk. And I wouldn't dream of going anywhere on vacation where I would be laughed at or mocked. Life is hard enough as it is without that shit. Which is why I have zero desire to visit the old sod. And I would suggest those authentic Irish who scorn Americans of Irish descent; they should refrain from using the huge power base of Irish Americans, who are the second largest ethnic group in the U.S. (after Germans).

I've never understood why people by choice vacation and visit places where they are scorned, unless they are masochistic. And it's not just Americans of Irish descent; many authentic Italians (for example) also look down their nose at Americans of Italian descent.