Arlene Foster arriving for the Fermanagh versus Donegal game which was played in Clones, County Monaghan. Inpho photo.
By Anthony Neeson
Sinn Féin’s northern leader has welcomed Arlene Foster’s attendance at the Ulster GAA football final between Fermanagh and Donegal.
Sunday’s attendance at the game at St. Tiernach’s Park, Clones, in County Monaghan, was the first by a unionist leader at the Ulster decider.
Mrs. Foster, along with party colleague Christopher Stalford, stood for Amhrán na bhFiann before the throw-in.
There had been speculation beforehand that the former First Minister would attend the game after she posted a message of congratulations to her native county, Fermanagh, earlier this month when they reached the final by defeating hot favorites Monaghan.
“I very much welcome the attendance of DUP leader Arlene Foster at today’s Ulster GAA final,” said Sinn Féin’s Michelle O’Neill, who also attended the game.
“Mary Lou McDonald (Sinn Féin President) and I met with Prince Charles in order to demonstrate our desire to reach out and respect those across our community of a unionist and British identity.
“We recognize the important significance of Arlene Foster as DUP leader attending today’s Ulster final and acknowledge and very much welcome her decision to do so.
“She had encouraged others to step forward as well to understand, appreciate and respect another culture perhaps that isn’t theirs in the context of building an inclusive society.”
Foster sat beside Irish government minister Heather Humphreys during the game. She was applauded and cheered by supporters.
She said she was made to feel “very welcome” from fans and officials during the game.
“As a political leader, sometimes we have to do things that we wouldn’t be comfortable with, ordinarily. I have to say, I think I made the right decision.”
She added: “I did recognize that there are those who are supporters of my party who would not be comfortable with that for a number of reasons, not least the fact that the Ulster GAA final is played on a Sunday and it’s not the normal thing that I would be at on a Sunday.”
She said she wanted to build a Northern Ireland “where everybody feels comfortable and where everybody wants to co-exist together.”
Speaking about the GAA, Mrs. Foster said the sporting organization could help unionists feel more comfortable about getting involved with Gaelic games.
“And of course that comes down to issues such as naming grounds after former IRA members and trophies being named after IRA members.”
Talking about the GAA to the BBC Ulster, GAA chief executive Brian McEvoy said: “It has never stated that it is only a sporting organization. From day one, it has been a sporting and cultural organization that is the way it has been from 1884 and that is the way it is today.”
He added that the GAA is willing to “play our part and I think we have a responsibility to play our part in helping to create the conditions which may enhance the prospects of reaching an accommodation.”
