Aogán Ó Fearghaíl said he was opening to scrapping the National Anthem and Flag at GAA matches

JOHN Hughes believes the GAA must embrace its cultural roots underpinned in the opening statement of the Offical Guidebook, which recognises the assocation’s “national significance”.

Hughes was writing in response to this week’s comments by president Aogán Ó Fearghaíl, who said he would be open for discussions regarding the future role of the National Anthem and Irish Tricolour at GAA matches.

In his Opening Shot column, Hughes said history means that “the simple liberty of being able to sing the anthem and fly the flag, taken for granted in the rest of Ireland, are important aspects of our GAA identity in this part of the world.”

He also went on to say that “partition has been an unqualified disaster for no one more than six county Catholics.”

The full column is available in store today or online here.