GAA snub on SF over tickets is childish, says McGuinness

SINN FÉIN chief negotiator Martin McGuinness has described as “childish” the GAA’s decision not to offer the party tickets for this year’s All-Ireland finals.

The GAA took the decision after Belfast’s Casement Park was used against its wishes for a rally commemorating the H-Block hunger-strikers.

The GAA central council was opposed to the rally proceeding at the stadium, saying it breached association rules which stipulate it should not be seen to endorse political events.

But jurisdiction for Casement Park lies with the Antrim county board, which had already sanctioned the event.

An estimated 20,000 people participated in the rally, addressed by Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams and national chairwoman Mary Lou McDonald.

Sinn Féin did not officially organise the event, and insisted it was non-political — a claim the central council refused to accept. It decided not to offer the party tickets for tomorrow’s All- Ireland hurling final or the football final in two weeks.

Traditionally, Oireachtas members can purchase tickets when their counties are involved.

Mr McGuinness said that, irrespective of the GAA’s decision, he would be attending the football final.

“I’m going to be at the game and I think it’s important to put it on the record the fact that Sinn Féin doesn’t apply (as a party) for these tickets.

“Individual Sinn Féin elected representatives apply for these tickets and I’m sure that many of them who were denied tickets from GAA headquarters will be very, very disappointed.

“But already I have been inundated by offers from GAA clubs all over the island of Ireland with offers of tickets for the final. You can be sure that the Sinn Féin leadership and the Sinn Féin organisation... will be well represented at that final.”