LONDON GAA CHAIRMAN Noel O’Sullivan is defending his decision to allow a British Army GAA team compete in local championships.
The Irish Guards were officially affiliated to London GAA in at the Ruislip centre last night – and O’Sullivan was left with the casting vote.
Delegates were split 15-15 on the issue before O’Sullivan, who had originally voted in favour of the proposal, remained firm in his stance.
The Irish Guards are now free to compete in the 2016 junior championship and associated league and cup tournaments in London GAA.
“It’s a little bit sensitive as well,” O’Sullivan admitted to The42 this morning.
“A lot of people are for it and a lot against it. I can understand both sides but democracy prevailed and that’s it.
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“It was a not a tough decision,” O’Sullivan insisted.
“When the original vote was taken, I voted in favour of the application.
“I would be a proper idiot if I voted differently the second time.
The old Rule 21 in the GAA, which banned members of the British security forces from playing GAA, was deleted in 2001.
“It’s a progressive step as well. The rule was deleted a long time ago,” O’Sullivan added.
“I said ‘move on, don’t dwell on the past and let’s look to the future.’”
O’Sullivan confirmed that the Irish Guards will begin playing next year.
“They haven’t come back to us yet,” O’Sullivan said.
“We’re notifying them today of their application and they’ll get back to us soon.
“It’s too late in the season but they may play a few challenge games or something like that.”
O’Sullivan explained that the Irish Guards will be made up of ex-Pats and players from other countries, including Fiji.
“A lot of them just want to play a good, physical, sporting game.
“Gaelic Football suits them. A lot of them have played with clubs in Ireland.
“They got in touch last May or June, when they approached our secretary.
“They decided they would come and put their case at the county board meeting.
“They weren’t available in August, they were on holidays, but they came last night and that was it.
“It was always going to be sensitive. I can understand both sides to be honest.”
Mr. O’Sullivan, a Kerry native, has been based in London for the last 42 years.
“There are three clubs in Killarney – Legion, Dr. Crokes and Spa. I’m from the Spa club,” he said.
“I’ll be home for the All-Ireland final on Sunday – I haven’t missed a final since 1968.
“I would say it’s going to be a very tight game. It’s a hard call but I’ve been very, very impressed with Eamonn Fitzmaurice as manager and the calls he’s made over the last few years.
“He hasn’t got it wrong yet. I’d be confident but it will be a close call. Let’s hope for a good game of football.”
