Queen Elizabeth turns down invite to GAA game as London took on Leitrim

Queen Elizabeth declined Leitrim County Councillor Edna Stenson’s invitation to the GAA game on Sunday, June 23, 2013.

London tied the Connacht semi-final between Leitrim and London in Carrick-on-Shannon on Sunday last. London fans joked that the Queen was waiting for the All Irelands.

Stenson kept a good humor about it. He told Newstalk, “We did not expect a response. But she’s too busy with the horses at Ascot to call down to the match.” He confirmed before the match that she would have had access to the whole presentation area at Pairc Sean MacDiarmada if she had changed her mind. The Mayor of London was also invited to the match, but no response was heard from him.

After the game, the London players stood in the center of the field to sign autographs and pose for photos.

Kelly Geraghty. a teacher from Co Meath, came dressed in green and white to support her boyfriend, London captain Seamus Hannon. The Irish Independent reported she said before the game, “I think he is confident- they have all been working really really hard.”

London corner-forward Padraig McGoldrick’s family including sisters Lorraine and Nicky and parents Breege and John attended the game. Lorraine said before the game, “The locals are getting behind us now” about their neighbors forgiving London’s victory over Sligo last month. The family joined the celebrations on the field after the end of the game. Breege said, “It was very exciting.”