Arlene Foster has said she will consider going to GAA game
DUP leader Arlene Foster has not ruled out attending the Ulster GAA Final in Clones.
The former First Minister, whose Roslea homeplace is only a few miles from the home of Ulster football, took to Twitter to congratulate the Fermanagh team on their heroic win on Sunday evening saying, “Congratulations to my fellow county men who have just surprised those in the know.”
The tweet went down well with the Fermanagh lads and in a quick response, Belnaleck and Fermanagh player Ciaran McBrien responded with a personal invite from Rory Gallagher’s men.
“Cheers mate, we have a ticket saved for you for the final,” he tweeted, alongside a row of green hearts and a photo of the team bus erupting in celebrations.
When asked by the Herald if she would be taking up the offer and travel to Clones for Fermanagh’s first Ulster final in 10 years, the Roslea woman said,
“The final is on June 24th. There’s a lot of water to run under the bridge between now and then. Let’s wait and see.”
She then extended her further congratulations to those involved saying, “Fermanagh’s achievement in securing a place in the Ulster GAA final is a significant achievement. Many of my neighbours are heavily involved in GAA. I was recognising how important the achievement was for them and many in the county.”
Arlene’s tweet was widely liked and retweeted with many people commenting under it asking if she will attend the final in Clones, while others were sceptical and wondered whether her account had been hacked.
Mark Coughlan tweeted in support of Arlene’s gesture saying, ‘the GAA has traditionally been associated with nationalism of course. Thankfully that is changing. There’s no place for politics in sport,’ while Padraig Murphy said ‘great too see you back your county Arlene, get yourself to the final!’
Gavin Cumiskey replied to her tweet saying, ‘quick trip over the border to Clones for the final. Make the most of it as come Brexit you’ll not be able to that too easy’, with Michael McAughey advising her to ‘get your ticket for the final, they will sell out fast.’
Praising the DUP Leader’s post, Sadie Ni Manachain tweeted ‘notable alright. By its rarity. But would be nice to see more of a similar inclusiveness’ while Margaret Mc posted ‘lets see you support the Fermanagh team at the Ulster Final. You said inclusivity for all. No excuse now.’
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