Brantwood Military & Heritage Association (BMHA) accepted an invitation
(via Dave O’Brien) for four representatives to attend the GAA final at Croke
Park on the 20th September 2009. This was a hand’s across the water offer to
allow the GAA to get a feel of how they where perceived by the various
communities who would not normally partake in the GAA.
The group’s remit after taking into consideration the history
(rule 21 introduced in 1888 to exclude members of the Royal Irish
Constabulary and then applied it to the Royal Ulster Constabulary and
British Forces after the secession of 26 countries from the UK. The rule also
prevented GAA members from attending social events with such folk.) of the
GAA and Crown Military Forces was to find out how the GAA was working to
create a neutral environment which would allow past and serving members of
Crown forces their families and friends to take part in the sport.
The plan was to attend a Q & A session with the chairman of the GAA prior to
the match. Unfortunately, a last minute emergency caused the group to miss
the Q & A session. Hopefully we can set up another meeting at a later date.
The group had a great day and with the help of Irish Foreign Affairs officers
Rory, Ralph and David they where even able to understand some of the rules.
It was a great advertisement for a family friendly event which helped to make
the atmosphere even more enjoyable, Croke Park is a fantastic stadium and
the pitch was in superb condition with the best grass surface in the south.