NI sports minister attends first GAA event

Gordon Lyons (right) with the Ulster GAA secretary Ciaran McLaughlin, Armagh captain Aidan Forker and the Sam Maguire cup

Northern Ireland’s Sports Minister Gordon Lyons has attended his first Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) event since taking office seven months ago.

The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) assembly member was a guest at the Ulster GAA Games for All Festival in County Antrim, an event for children and young players with additional needs.

"I always welcome the opportunity to see people of all ages and abilities coming together in sport – and doing so in a way which is inclusive and accessible," he said.

Mr Lyons recently faced some criticism over the length of time it took for him to attend events run by one of the biggest sporting organisations in Northern Ireland.

Minister 'cheered on' players

The minister met many of the young players at the GAA Games for All Festival

In a statement, the Department for Communities said its minister met GAA officials at the Creggan club and "saw the games in action".

It added that he took "the opportunity to talk to participants and cheer on those taking part".

Mr Lyons was appointed minister for communities in early February, when devolution was restored after a two-year gap.

The wide brief means he has responsibilities for sport, the arts, culture, housing, social welfare benefits and local government.

Last month, BBC News NI reported he had attended rugby and cricket games and visited more than 20 football grounds as sports minister, but none of the more than 250 GAA clubs in Northern Ireland.

The GAA previously invited Mr Lyons to at least two matches, including July’s All Ireland football final, but he declined both fixtures citing diary commitments.

However, the Department for Communities confirmed in late August that the minister had accepted an invitation to a GAA club in early September.

On Saturday, Mr Lyons was a guest at Kickham's Gaelic Athletic Club (GAC) in Creggan, Randalstown.

"Being active contributes significantly to better physical and mental health," he said in a statement.

"I commend the many organisations who work to encourage and support participation, and applaud all those involved in today’s event.”

'Transformative impact'

During the festival, the minister met GAA player Aidan Forker, who captained the Armagh team to victory in the All-Ireland final.

He posed for photos with the Sam Maguire trophy and with some of the young people involved in Saturday's games.

The Games for All initiative encourages children and young people with additional needs to try out and play GAA sports including football, hurling and camogie.

More than 350 participants had registered to take part in this year's festival which was hosted by the Creggan club.

Gordon Lyons posed for a selfie with one of the young players

"The programme has had a transformative impact with players gaining increased confident, social skills and fitness," the Department for Communities said.

It added the event helped the minister "understand how Ulster GAA are striving to ensure that everyone of all ages and abilities has a chance to participate in gaelic games".

Mr Lyons' visit to a GAA grounds was preceded many years ago by his party colleagues Edwin Poots, Peter Robinson and Arlene Foster - all former leaders of the DUP.

Mr Poots became the first DUP politician to attend a Gaelic football match when he accepted an invite to a McKenna Cup game in Newry in 2008.