'Gaelfast' chief keen to involve Protestant community

July 13, 2018

General view of an Antrim flag.
©INPHO/James Crombie.

The man appointed to oversee the GAA's £1m Gaelfast initiative in Belfast has spoken of his plans to engage the Protestant community.

Former Antrim hurler Dr Paul Donnelly says reaching out to the Protestant community and other groups will be among his objectives when he takes up his new role as Regeneration Manager later this year.

"I'm encouraged by the evidence of change," he told the Irish News.

"Belfast City Council reviewed its pitch provision and began investing rates in enhancing facility provision for Gaelic Games and other sports in the city.

"Arlene Foster, the leader of the DUP, went to this year's Ulster final. These are signs of things changing.

"I believe Gaelic Games has a potential to engage and unify people in ways that have far-reaching benefits for the city of Belfast, not just in sport but socially and economically as well. One of the opportunities in this project is the potential to engage non-traditional schools, non-traditional areas, non-traditional people in the project."

You can follow all of this weekend's action from the All-Ireland SFC Super 8s and All-Ireland SHC quarter-finals on the hoganstand.com live match tracker.


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