Kelly to deliver Collins commemoration speech

Former GAA president Sean Kelly is to deliver the oration at the annual Michael Collins commemoration at Beal na mBlath later this month.

Mr Kelly, who was linked with Fine Gael in the past, steered the controversial Rule 42 through the association which paved the way for soccer and rugby to be played in Croke Park.

The Co Kerryman has previously called for Collins to be honoured by the GAA by naming a major stadium or trophy in his memory.

Last year’s guest speaker at the Beal na mBlath site, where Collins was ambushed and killed in 1922, was British film-maker Lord Puttnam and others in recent years included Fine Gael TDs Michael Noonan, Dan Neville and Simon Coveney.

Collins Commemoration Committee secretary Frank Metcalfe confirmed Mr Kelly had accepted an invitation to deliver the address.

“Sean was one of the names put around by the committee and he accepted,” he said.

“We always try to keep the guest speakers as non-political as possible. We know that Collins knew Sam Maguire who the All Ireland Football Championship trophy is named after, so that’s an interesting link with the GAA.”

Up to 2,000 people are expected at the Beal na mBlath site near Bandon on Sunday August 24.

Kelly said in a 2006 interview that Collins was one of the country’s great patriots and the lack of official recognition of Collins within the GAA was a “major historical omission.”

“Collins was a great GAA man, he played hurling and was a leading administrator in England. Indeed, he’s probably regarded internationally as our greatest patriot,” added Mr Kelly.

Mr Kelly studied history at university and wrote an essay on Collins in his final exams.

Mr Kelly was executive chairman of the Irish Institute of Sport for two years but he stepped down earlier this week.

It is understood he will be pursuing other sports-related projects.