The Irish are moving away from the faith almost as fast as the Quebeckers. Kennedy and Kerry are pretty much representative of the new breed (yes, I know that Kerry is not Irish but he claims to be). And, no what's on the helmuts of those football teams are not religious symbols.
You know nothing about modern Ireland. Have you ever spent any time there? If you knew that Kerry isn't Irish, why did you bring it up?
Ever been to Quebec (btw, I am also a quarter Arcadian)?
But, honestly, the Catholics see Mary as a symbol of their faith, can't you see that having a Chief or a Brave or a Redskin might be offensive to native americans? Are you standing firm with them?
Helmut is the name of a German male BTW.