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Peter Robinson receives warm welcome as he attends first GAA match

Northern Ireland’s First Minister sees Tyrone beat Derry

By
PATRICK COUNIHAN,
IrishCentral.com Staff Writer
Published Sunday, January 29, 2012, 8:46 AM
Updated Sunday, January 29, 2012, 8:46 AM

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Peter Robinson, Northern Ireland’s First Minister
Peter Robinson, Northern Ireland’s First Minister


Leading loyalist politician Peter Robinson has attended his first gaelic football match – and received a warm welcome from fans at the McKenna Cup final in Armagh.

Northern Ireland’s First Minister was a special guest of the GAA and Sinn Fein’s Martin McGuinness at the game on Saturday night.

The DUP leader saw Mickey Harte’s Tyrone defeat Derry in the company of his Deputy First Minister McGuinness, a keen Derry fan and GAA supporter.

“Mr Robinson got a warm reception,” McGuinness told the BBC after the historic presence of a loyalist leader at the largely nationalist supported event.
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“His attendance is evidence of his inclusive approach and is another little piece of history.

“Peter got a very warm reception from everyone he met at the game. It was wonderful to have him there.”

The GAA has been keen to build bridges with the Protestant community in Northern Ireland since it lifted the ban on members of the security forces playing football and hurling 11 years ago.

Last year the Queen of England visited Croke Park during her Irish tour.
BBC Northern Ireland sports reporter Mark Sidebottom saw Robinson take his seat at the game just after the throw-in.

He said: “Security was low-key for the First Minister’s visit and his attendance caused barely a ripple among the crowd.”

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See more: News from Ireland , GAA , Irish politics
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12 Comments

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gobdawpaddy | Jan 31, 2012, 09:08 AM EST
Hope he enjoyed himself. Itlooks like there were no unpleasantries from yobs.

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greensod | Jan 30, 2012, 09:15 PM EST
Another great step in the right direction,There have been many great GAA players from the protestant persuasion down through the years. One of the very best played in Totonto for many years.Some of you, may know who I am refering too.He was born in Cavan.

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Kilsally | Jan 30, 2012, 02:04 PM EST
IrelandNorth the United Kingdom of GB & NI - the UK is GB & NI. No such thing as UKGB.

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sirpeter | Jan 30, 2012, 01:57 PM EST
Peter Robinson did the right thing.Step by step.Easy does it.Coat of green paint for the peace walls and a few hanging flower baskets with couple of Orange petaled flowers in them.So the Billy boys don't get alarmed.

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DanOLoingsigh | Jan 30, 2012, 07:50 AM EST
IrelandNorth - It could be equally stated that the P of Ireland was elected in only 26 counties...but that would be a little pedantic...he has his title and she has hers...

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IrelandNorth | Jan 30, 2012, 06:37 AM EST
Good point RedBranch/CraobhRua(CraveRooagh). Probably because they're in occupied Ulster. Kilsally! You're right. That makes Her Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain (UKGB). But she also claims to be monarch over Northern Ireland (NI), which incidentally isn't a kingdom.

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pilib04 | Jan 29, 2012, 07:31 PM EST
Peter Robinson's visit to the GAA match is a first step. A very important first step.

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barneyjo | Jan 29, 2012, 04:09 PM EST
Looking forward to the day when those who either play or support Gaelic sports are not labelled by religion class or creed. The Morgan Sports stadium would have been twice as full if that was the case!!

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Liam3494 | Jan 29, 2012, 03:52 PM EST
She's also Queen of Canada and Australia - But who's nit-picking :)...

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Kilsally | Jan 29, 2012, 03:50 PM EST
Many grounds named after IRA members doesn't help. 'Queen if England', you mean the UK Queen. The British monarchy is a Union of the Scottish and English Crowns

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oldboreen | Jan 29, 2012, 01:15 PM EST
There is still a long way to go (RedBranch's comment Jan 29 is worth noting!)but this report should give us hope for the future.

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RedBranch | Jan 29, 2012, 11:59 AM EST
'The GAA has been keen to build bridges with the Protestant community in Northern Ireland...' How does this explain why all of the counties mentioned above boycotted the Royal visit to Croke Park?

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