GAA officials in royal snub

Several GAA officials have turned down an opportunity to attend the historical visit of Queen Elizabeth II to Croke Park tomorrow.

According to the Irish Examiner today, a high profile Leinster official is among those who have elected to stay away from headquarters for the Queen’s visit to the stadium, which has attracted controversy in some quarters as it is the venue where 14 people were killed in a British attack during the War of Independence.

Some officials in the GAA do not deem it appropriate that the British head of state should visit the stadium and have decided to decline the invitation as a result.

News of the stay-away officials is a blow to the GAA, who have previously attempted to keep a dignified silence about the Queen’s visit.

President Christy Cooney wrote to all county boards last month asking them not to comment on the visit for fear of attracting controversy and also to prevent the possibility of undermining President Mary McAleese, whose request to make the stadium available to the visiting monarch was accepted by the association.

Several unidentified GAA stars have been invited to meet the Queen at Croke Park tomorrow, while she is expected to watch schoolchildren play games of football and hurling to give her a taste for our national sports.