Former Armagh star John McEntee has lamented the fact that many GAA games across the country are clashing with the Pope's visit.

Under the headline 'Don't make people choose between their Church and their games' in his Irish News column this week, McEntee suggested that the GAA was treating the Papal visit as if it was a run-of-the-mill pop concert in Croke Park.

"In typical Irish fashion, we have a habit of turning our back on things which have served us well in the past and continue to provide a valuable role in our society," the 2002 All-Ireland winner stated.

"I'm the first to recognise the many failings of the Catholic Church, particularly when it comes to safeguarding children and vulnerable people over the decades and across Ireland and abroad. I recognise the hurt and distress caused to thousands of people and I can also understand how sections of society want to disassociate with the Church for those reasons.

"What I am struggling with is why the GAA people who continue to have a close spiritual relationship with the Church are treating the Pope's visit as a by-the-by event - not dissimilar to Michael Buble's recent concert. It seems as though some want to ignore what is happening in Dublin in the hope that the elephant in the room is missed."

He continued: "A lot has changed in the 40 years since the last Papal visit, but many good things remain the same. GAA folk should not ignore the elephant in the room as religion is not going away."

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