Sport and Politics: A dangerous mix

"It does seem extraordinary that irrespective of what happens on GAA grounds it never seems to affect their funding from DCAL or government sources.

"There have been many occasions down the years, the most recent being in Galbally (where a hunger strike commemoration was held) when GAA grounds have been used for political and propaganda purposes of the most provocative nature.

"I think everybody knows that if it was an IFA ground being used for such purposes then funding would be withdrawn and republicans would be protesting around the clock.

"It seems to me that if we are to ensure that sport and politics are not to become mixed (and we all know the knock-on effect that can follow from that mixture!) then sporting grounds which are in receipt of public funding should never be allowed to be used for political propaganda.

"The GAA has been reaching out to unionism in the past few years and a number of unionist politicians have accepted invitations to attend matches. I have no difficulty with that whatsoever. But the GAA are hardly helping the process of recociliation and promoting their sport if, at the same time as reaching out to unionists, they are hosting commemorations for IRA members.