Irish Illegal immigrants cause embarrassment for the GAA

international | miscellaneous | news report

Tuesday May 23, 2006 21:41

by Masters Voice

Apparently New York Hurlers are unwilling to travel to the Ulster final in Belfast as a number of their players may have difficulties obtaining visas. This situation has arose due to the fact that a number of the New York team are illegal immigrants to the good old USA.

I wonder where this came from....

The New York GAA Board is expected to formally request a postponement of the Antrim and New York Ulster hurling final scheduled for June 4 in Casement Park.

Apparently New York are unwilling to travel as a number of their players may have difficulties obtaining visas. This situation has arose due to the fact that a number of the New York team are illegal immigrants to the good old USA.

This leaves the Ulster Council in a difficult situation as Antrim are naturally reluctant to travel because of the huge costs involved.

Ulster Council Secretary Danny Murphy said: "When New York entered the Ulster hurling championship it was initially accepted they would come to Ireland every year and they actually came the first year. Mr. Murphy may not be aware of the fact that a considerable number of Irish people reside in America illegally.

"They asked and the Ulster Council agreed to playing the semi-final in New York, but we never consented to playing the final in any place other than Casement Park"

Pat Connolly, Chairman of the Antrim Hurling Board, endorses those sentiments. "I asked the question over a month ago if New York beat Derry what would happen and I was told everything had been sorted out and that New York would be coming here providing they beat Derry.

"I've also heard on the grapevine that New York claim that they wouldn't be able to come over here on June 4 and that they would need more time to make all the necessary preparations." he said.

One can understand Antrim's reluctance to travel to the Big Apple, but if Croke Park were to agree to foot the bill as a goodwill gesture to the GAA in New York who knows what might happen. Alleged supporters of the Antrim team may seek refuge in America and claim asylum. The last thing that the Irish Nation needs right now is to be associated with illegal acts of residing in a country uninvited.

Michael McDowell was unavailable for comment as this indymedia reporter was filing this story, perhaps, he was busy negotiating a satisfactory conclusion to the illegal contravention of planning laws for his holiday home.

BTW: It was small consolation for Derry hurlers for the embarrassment they suffered in the Gaelic Park, New York, that a Dungiven man Cathal McKeever, brother of Derry full back Emmet, was hugely instrumental in inflicting defeat on his native county.

ah well.......