Sinn Fein TD slams GAA for ‘grossly unfair’ U-turn that will see children ‘disappointed’

SINN FEIN’s Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire has urged the GAA to clarify a rumoured turnaround surrounding the Cork v Limerick match.

The Cork South Central MP was responding to an angry social media post by Sciath na Scol – a group which promotes Gaelic games in primary schools in the rebel county.

In their post, they complain that commemorating the GAA’s links with athletics is taking precedence over the usual mini-games involving children on the Croke Park pitch.

Sciath na Scol said: “Primary school children across Ireland have been let down by @officialgaa who this week informed the future stars of our games that they would no longer play at half-time as promised in this weekend’s blockbuster game between @OfficialCorkGAA and @LimerickCLG.”

Adding his voice to the rancour, Ó Laoghaire said: “Croke Park needs to clarify this, it would be extremely disappointing and unfair to the children and their families.”

Further evidence of the anger of some GAA members at the decision was clearly visible in the original GAA message.

CnmB Dublin commented: “A great idea, but unfortunately at the expense of the 42 boys and girls from all over Ireland who were due to take part in the @INTOnews CnmB Mini-7 games.

“These children were informed on Monday that they would no longer be playing at half-time in the hurling semi-final.”

Although there appears to be considerable anger towards the Croke Park management over the late change, it is difficult to be too harsh on the Association.

As President Jarlath Burns explained, the reason for organising a celebration of Ireland’s historic link with athletics is to commemorate a century of Ireland’s involvement in the Olympic Games ahead of this month’s Games in Paris.

Burns said: “We are the Gaelics Athletic Association and as such we are extremely proud of the rich history and heritage that exists in the sporting achievements of our members.

“From our first President and renowned internal athlete, Maurice Davin, to our exceptional role model, new European Champion and camogie player Ciara Mageean, there is a link between Gaelic games and athletics that deserves to be celebrated.

“This occasion provides us with the opportunity not only to commemorate our athletic past, but also to remember the achievement that was the Tailteann Games, the involvement of GAA members in previous Olympic Games, and most importantly to wish the Irish 2024 team bon voyage and adh mór before they depart for Paris next week.”

At half-time in the clash between the five consecutive chasers and Cork, a new one-mile race will be organised on the pitch.

Representatives from the Olympic Federation of Ireland, Olympic and Paralympic athletes will also be honoured at this sacred site.

SunSport has contacted the GAA for comment.

The highly anticipated clash at GAA headquarters kicks off at 3.30pm on Sunday and will be preceded by the camogie quarter-final between Galway and Wexford at 1.30pm.

It is expected to be the first sold-out show on Jones Road in 2024.

Saturday will see the last hurling semi-final between Kilkenny and Clare.

The Cats have emerged victorious from this match at this stage in each of the last two seasons.