Cricket club denies Orange Order made it cancel event including children from GAA team

North Down Cricket Club in Comber has faced a backlash after cancelling a cross-community sports summer camp that would have involved a small number of children from a GAA club. PICTURE: ARTHUR ALLISON/PACEMAKER PRESS

A cricket club in Comber has said the Orange Order did not make it cancel an event that children from a GAA team were invited to.

North Down Cricket Club has been the focus of attention this week after calling off the Sport Summer Camp planned for Friday, which was to include a small number of children from East Belfast GAA.

The club had said it pulled the event “as reaction to the event grew” and out of concern the spirit of the camp was being lost.

Goldsprings of Comber LOL had posted about its objection on Tuesday to the “proposed or perceived move of the GAA into the local community”.

The lodge has since called on NDCC to clarify that it had already cancelled the event by this time.

Responding, a spokesperson for NDCC said the decision was taken on Monday morning over “concerns raised privately – and later publicly on social media”.

“This decision was taken before any comment or statement from Goldsprings Lodge, and was not influenced by them. We’re grateful to them for subsequently reaching out in a spirit of clarity and respectful communication,” they said.

Stating the club had long-standing ties with Goldsprings and many other lodges, they said NDCC believed strongly “in respect” and allowing people to hold different views.

“We don’t believe that learning about another culture has to dilute your own. Quite the opposite — it’s a sign of strength to share what you have. In cricketing speak, to ‘get on the front foot’.

“There’s been a lot of noise around this issue, much of it from outside Comber.

“That may suit some agendas — but it’s not who we are. We’re just a cricket club, with deep roots in this town, doing our best to provide children with every chance to thrive — on and off the field. We’ll keep doing just that.”

With an open invitation to a game at the grounds this Saturday, the club added: “Everyone is welcome at The Green — as always.

“This will be our final comment on the matter. Let’s play cricket.”

Comber Orange Hall. PICTURE: ARTHUR ALLISON/PACEMAKER PRESS

A statement from the Goldsprings Lodge added that its objection followed “genuine and widespread unease” after the circulation of messages across local WhatsApp groups.

“These messages, regardless of their complete accuracy, prompted an important and sincere conversation,” it said.

“That conversation was not motivated by prejudice, but by a shared desire to safeguard the cultural balance, mutual respect and quiet dignity that defines our town.”

The lodge questioned how an event involving the GAA could ever be cross-community when it remained “overtly political in its constitution, culture and symbolic expressions”.

Quoting the GAA’s official guide, it said it could not be considered neutral when the basic aims included “strengthening the national identity in a 32-county Ireland”.

The guidelines also state the GAA must remain non-party political and anti-sectarian/anti-racist.

An Orange Lodge in Comber has claimed the GAA should follow the example of the Belast Giants as a way to make sport more inclusive. It follows the lodge's objection to children from East Belfast GAA attending a sporting camp in their town. PICTURE: WILLIAM CHERRY/PRESSEYE Photo by William Cherry/Presseye (Nottingham Panthers)

The Comber lodge also objected to playing the Irish national anthem before GAA games, comparing it to the Belfast Giants Ice Hockey team choosing not to at home games “despite this being common practice in the Elite Ice Hockey League”.

The lodge goes on to list GAA clubs and competitions affiliated with republican paramilitaries, including the Joe Cahill GAA Tournament “named after a former IRA chief of staff”.

It said these were not “isolated instances,” but reflected a “systemic and cultural alignment” with political tradition and legacy “that continues to cause pain”.

Referencing the IRA’s 1978 La Mon Hotel bombing just miles away from the Orange Hall, it also said that other sports clubs in the area did not allow political displays, flags or anthems and that all young people were welcome whatever their background.

“When a child steps onto the green at North Down Cricket Club, into a boxing ring, onto a football pitch, they do so without needing to affirm or deny any political viewpoint.

“They are simply there to participate. Sadly, that cannot be said of the GAA given its constitutional requirements, symbolism and commemorative practices.”

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly has expressed her disappointment at the cancellation of a cross-community sports camp.

First Minister Michelle O’Neill also reiterated her dismay after the event planned to take place in Comber was called off after local residents had… pic.twitter.com/IJGaVru0SY — The Irish News (@irish_news) July 17, 2025

This week, the Irish News also reported that the Goldsprings lodge regularly hosts a flute band who attended a parade this year for a suspected UVF killer.

The lodge has been contacted for a response on this issue.

Cricket Ireland has since announced plans to arrange a similar sports camp at Stormont later this month, while the First Minister Michelle O’Neill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly have both voiced their disappointment at the cancellation.

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