WE CAN’T FLY THE FLAG FOR FEAR OF ABUSE

Former Ulster, Ireland and Lions star Ferris makes a strong Case for international rugby in Belfast

Casement Park has sat idle and overgrown and, above, plans for redevelopment

RORY BEST recently revealed the sectarian abuse he got after being named Ireland captain – but Stephen Ferris admits he once threw off the Irish flag for fear of similar reaction. Best (left, with Ferris), in his new autobiography, said he was called a ‘fat protestant b ****** ’ who should not be captain, but Ferris recalled his own conflict just after Ireland had won a first Grand Slam in 59 years in 2009.

“We were shaking hands with the crowd, hugging them, and a tricolour was put over my back, and straight away I took it off,” says the former Ireland and Ulster star. “Why? Because the

Ulster GAA are still awaiting planning permission to redevelop the venue into a 35,000-capacity stadium – almost double the capacity of Windsor Park and Ulster Rugby’s Kingspan Stadium.

Ireland played 36 home games in Belfast before 1954, but have played just once since, back in 2007, when an Ireland side narrowly edged out Italy at Ravenhill, with Ferris (right) injured and in the stands.

The flanker was part of the Ireland team that played in Croke Park in 2009, and hopes another rugby-gaa combination could see test rugby return north in the near future.

“I was there in the ground (in 2007), it was a World Cup warm up and we just about won with ROG’S (Ronan O’gara) ‘try that shouldn’t have been’.

“I was battling to play, at home, where Ulster play, for Ireland but I didn’t make it.

“If we had a stadium up here, big enough, with 2530,000 seats, I’d love to see more internationals here, and so would the people from here.

“I played an international match in the RDS against Fiji, against Canada in Limerick and I know a lot has to do with money now but I’d love to see it. I don’t think Windsor Park people up north would say ‘look at that c*** Ferris, he calls himself a true Ulsterman, and he’s wearing a tricolour.’

“So, it wasn’t that I don’t want to carry the tricolour, it’s just I couldn’t be bothered taking the shit if I did. But isn’t it sad I was so conscious of it? I waved it, and threw it to Tommy Bowe or someone.” is big enough, it’s only the same amount in Kingspan, but it would be a sell out if we had a big enough place.

“If you could bring an Ireland game to a redeveloped Casement Park, which is a completely different ball game to playing in Windsor, that would have an impact.

“I’m banging that drum for money to go into Casement. Bloody right. If we got something like that built, people would love to come. I’d love to go there and watch an Ireland game.”

Ferris – a keen fan of the Northern Ireland soccer team – does not believe he’ll see an all-ireland team playing soccer anytime soon, and insists there’s no need to change how both codes operate right now.

“I went to the Euros in 2016 and supported Northern Ireland, I had the shirt on, it’s like I support Ulster, but do I support Connacht, Leinster, Munster? No,” he said.

“If the others are playing Saracens or something, I might.

“Would I want a Northern Ireland rugby team? No. I already have Ulster, and that’s it.

“I never saw Northern Ireland at the Rugby World Cup growing up and I hope I don’t.

“To be part of the best 15 lads in the whole island is a good feeling, so no way. Is it because it’s just how rugby is? I think so. What’s the point in changing it?”

Best took more abuse for not singing Amhrán na bhfiann – and Ferris knows how his former skipper feels.

“Lining up for the anthem, I chewed caffeine chewing gum, to get a hit before the game, and people tweeted me that I was so disrespectful to my country doing that during the Irish national anthem – chewing gum.”