Our Mass appeal for conspiracy

IT was good to see that our appetite for a conspiracy theory remains undiminished.

The announcement that from today the GAA has placed a ban on spectators bringing large bags and rucksacks into Croke Park has sparked some lively debate in on-line forums, social media and in select ale houses.

What first seemed a sensible and responsible move by Croke Park in response to the recent indiscriminate acts of terror, that have taken place so close to our own shores, should have ensured that it was met with a consensus of approval.

Not likely; while flying high on a bar stool recently this columnist had his ear reddened by a fellow pilot who insisted that the whole thing was a move by the GAA to ensure that hungry supporters, whose ‘hang sandwiches’ had been decommissioned, would be fleeced for grub inside the stadium.

No reasoned argument would appease my man despite assurances that supporters can still bring enough food with them to see out a double-header afternoon.

‘There is no need for it,’ he insisted, ‘sure, there is no threat here especially with the GAA, which is a broad church not tied to religion or state.’

As if the terrorists, who consider children at a concert to be legitimate targets, believe that Croke Park is the place called stop.

And there were better weeks to proclaim that the GAA is free from politics and religion than one where it emerged that next year’s All-Ireland football final is likely to be postponed by a week because of Sunday Mass being pencilled in for the famous stadium as a result of a visit by Pope Francis.