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08 February 2011

THE story of two Ulster football legends – who crossed the sectarian divide for the love of their sport – is to be brought to life at Stormont later this month.

Despite political strife in Belfast in the 1940s, Elisha Scott and Gerry Morgan defied long-held traditions and represented the “other side”.

Scott, a Protestant, managed Belfast Celtic while Morgan, a Roman Catholic, was employed as a trainer with Linfield.

The duo’s stories form the basis of a drama dealing with the problem of sectarianism in football and in wider society.

The play entitled “Lish and Gerry at the Shrine” – a joint venture between the Irish FA, Belfast Celtic Society and community relations project ‘Healing through Remembering’ – also challenges some of the stereotypical perceptions surrounding Linfield and Celtic.

Despite a fierce rivalry, the two Belfast clubs had a more cordial relationship than that widely assumed.

Commenting on the groundbreaking play, Michael Boyd, head of community relations at the Irish FA, said: “This witty, clever and moving drama was first shown at Windsor Park in 2010 and was so successful that a group of local MLAs decided to bring the event to Stormont.”

Mr Boyd said the association itself has learned from the past and like Scott and Morgan is focused on mainstreaming community relations.

“We are proactively supporting Irish League clubs to further mainstream community relations with regards to helping them with free community audits, development of community relations strategies and developing sustainable funding plans to support these strategies,” he added.

Chair of the Belfast Celtic Society, Padraig Coyle, who wrote the play, said he was encouraged by how the Gerry and Lish characters have aided people into talking about the past.

“At the heart of it all they [Scott and Morgan] were football men who shared a common love of the game and had great respect for each other,” he said.

The drama, taking place in the Senate Chamber at Parliament Buildings, will also incorporate an interactive workshop examining community relations within the local sport.

Alliance MLA Chris Lyttle said: “It is a pleasure to sponsor the performance of this challenging play at the Assembly and to support the great work of the IFA to contribute to improved community relations in local football and the wider community in Northern Ireland.

“Whilst our political leaders continue to struggle to reach agreement around building a shared future and dealing with the past, community reconciliation initiatives like this creative performance are demonstrating what can be achieved when we work together.”

- Lish and Gerry At The Shrine will play at Stormont on Thursday 17 February at 7.30pm.