GAA officials decline invite to Queen’s Croker visit

A NUMBER of GAA officials have declined an invitation to attend the visit of Queen Elizabeth II to Croke Park tomorrow.

The Irish Examiner understands a prominent Leinster official is among a group of Association figures who have elected not to be at the event.

The GAA have attempted to keep a dignified silence on the trip. Last month, it was revealed GAA President Christy Cooney wrote to all county boards asking them to refrain from commenting on the visit to Headquarters, insisting he would be the only GAA spokesperson on it.

Croke Park are also concerned about the possibility of undermining President Mary McAleese, who invited the British monarch to Ireland and whose request to make the stadium available they accepted.

However, and not surprisingly, there are a number of figures within the organisation who are uncomfortable about Queen Elizabeth II being at the Jones Road venue. A number of high profile Gaelic players have also been invited to meet her.

Meanwhile, the visit of US President Barack Obama to Croke Park remains a live possibility on Monday of next week.

Although it had been suggested the plan for Obama to address a gathering had been scrapped due to security reasons, last week’s GAA Management Committee were informed it has yet to be ruled out.

U2 lead singer Bono is still said to be on standby to entertain at the event with 80,000 tickets ready to be made available if the visit gets the green light.

Obama’s trip to Ireland is a 24-hour one during which he will visit Dublin and Offaly.

Dublin is already on high alert as it prepares for Queen Elizabeth II’s arrival tomorrow morning. GAA officials and their partners have been told that they won’t be permitted to bring handbags into the stadium for the royal visit.