Clare Short, the Labour Party MP in Britain who accused Prime Minister Tony Blair of "recklessness" over Iraq, has strong south Armagh roots. Short wasn't sacked from her position as secretary of state for international development despite her comments. She is a daughter of Crossmaglen-born Frank Short and was born and raised in Birmingham. Her first cousin, Oliver Short, is a schoolteacher and recently managed the Crossmaglen Rangers' football team. An uncle, Con Short, a GAA giant in the area, was vice-president of the GAA and president of Ulster Council in the late 1970s. He led a campaign to have the British Army base removed from the Crossmaglen Rangers' ground. In addition to Oliver, who co-managed the Crossmaglen team until last year, his cousin, Aidan Short, has played for the club and also lined out with Armagh and Antrim. Cathal Short, a second cousin, was a member of the Crossmaglen Rangers' team that won three All-Ireland Club titles. Tweet

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