President should be praised
There are different views on this – on the face of it, a VIP arriving by helicopter for a major game shouldn’t be such an eyebrow-raising event anymore, but in these recessionary times all items of public expenditure are under severe scrutiny.
Still, the President is no ordinary politician. In fact, the office is almost above politics – it’s a role that’s largely ceremonial and involves attending various functions around the country. In this regard it requires a lot of prioritisation, and over the years it’s become accepted that the President attends the All-Ireland Finals as a matter of duty. It’s probably true to say that some past Presidents wouldn’t have been big fans of the games and went to All-Ireland Finals as a matter of obligation more than enjoyment. That could not be said about the current incumbent Mary McAleese.
Not alone does she attend the All-Ireland finals with enthusiasm but she also decided to attend provincial finals on a rotational basis as well. This was a great boost to the provincial finals and gave them recognition and status that they hadn’t previously enjoyed.
I was privileged to be chairman of the Munster Council in 1998 when Mary McAleese initiated this practice by indicating her interest in attending the Munster Final. Her presence was appreciated by players, supporters and officials alike and ever since she has been showing similar respect and recognition to all provinces on a rotational basis. This commitment to attending GAA provincial finals, inevitably, means that other worthy invitations have to be marked “nil” on the RSVP card. The President would have travelled by car to almost all those functions. If, on one occasion in 12 years, she has to use a helicopter to get to the Connacht Final in Castlebar, we shouldn’t judge her too harshly. In years to come, some other president, who won’t have much commitment to the GAA, won’t prioritise provincial finals as part of their engagements. They won’t be travelling to the Connacht Final either by car or by helicopter. Then we might have real cause for complaint.
Fair dues to Mary McAleese for not only attending provincial finals but also many other events as well, especially in camogie and ladies football. She’s a true Gael.
