A cross-community sports summer camp in County Down has been cancelled after opposition to the involvement of a “small group of children from a GAA club”.

North Down Cricket Club, based in Comber, had planned to host the event for young people from different backgrounds, including some from East Belfast GAA, on Friday.

However, a local Orange Lodge said there were concerns about the “perceived move of the GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association) into the local community”, which it said had come from some local residents.

The cricket club said following commentary on social media, the “spirit of the camp was at risk of being lost” and it had decided not to proceed with the event.

Brian MacNeice, chair of Cricket Ireland, said: “Cricket Ireland and the Northern Cricket Union are dismayed and disappointed at the events.”

Goldsprings of Comber Orange lodge posted on social media that “many local residents have raised reservations about the GAA’s cultural and historical affiliations”.

“Specifically, there is unease regarding aspects of the organisation that have, in the past, celebrated or commemorated individuals associated with paramilitary activity.

“For a shared and peaceful future, such actions are viewed by some as divisive and incompatible with a truly inclusive society.”

North Down Cricket Club said it reflects “the best of our community and our Ulster-British heritage – confident, welcoming, and grounded in respect”.

“Cricket is a global game made up of many faiths and cultures, and that is reflected here at the green. What unites us is the game.

“The sport summer camp was created to give young people from different backgrounds a chance to enjoy cricket, try something new, and simply have fun.

“The plan was to involve 10 different local sports and community groups – including organisations supporting ethnic minority communities – with the aim of building friendships through shared activity.

“A small group of children from a GAA club was just one part of that broader mix.”

The cricket club said as “reaction to the event grew, we felt the spirit of the camp was at risk of being lost”.

“With regret – and out of respect for all involved – we chose not to proceed,” its statement added.

“But let’s be clear: openness is not a threat. Respect is not surrender. And our culture is not so fragile that it can’t be shared.”

But the lodge said that residents “have made it clear that until the GAA takes meaningful steps to ensure it is fully inclusive and sensitive to the history and identity of the Protestant, Unionist and Loyalist (PUL) community, its presence in Comber would be viewed with regret and opposition by many in the Comber area”.

“This issue is not about opposition to sport, but about ensuring that all organisations operating in shared spaces demonstrate respect for all traditions and work proactively towards reconciliation and mutual understanding.”

A spokesman for the Orange Order told BBC News NI the organisation had no comment to make about the issue.

In a statement, East Belfast GAA said it was “disappointed” that its youth academy members “won’t be enjoying a planned community sports event”.

“This was a great opportunity to engage with those who share our values of respect, togetherness, and inclusion,” it said.

“The regrettable cancellation won’t stop any of the organisations involved from continuing their great work in building bridges, promoting peace, and sharing spaces for sport.”

The club said it looked forward to “future opportunities to collaborate with like-minded groups from Belfast and beyond”.

The chair of Cricket Ireland said that “it can only be to the detriment of the children concerned that this cancellation has occurred”.

Brian MacNeice added that “working with other sports in the sharing of facilities and the creation of opportunities for young people is a key aspect” in Cricket Ireland and the Northern Cricket Union’s strategy of encouraging “diversity, inclusion and equality”.

Mr MacNeice applauded North Down Cricket Club’s for planning the sports camp.

He said that there are plans to run a similar one at Stormont.

“We have therefore approached East Belfast GAA and offered an opportunity to participate in this alternative sports camp which will also include other sports clubs.

“We look forward to further engagement with the GAA, and other governing bodies, for the benefit of all.”

He called on all community leaders to “show leadership and actively support this initiative”.

In a post on X, First Minister Michelle O’Neill said: “Children should be allowed to play together at summer camp without facing intolerance.

“These developments are deeply worrying and unacceptable. Sport has the power to unify. Political representatives must call this out.

“We need to send a clear message that we will continue moving forward together to build a brighter society and overcome such unacceptable intolerance.”

Alliance assembly member Kellie Armstrong said North Down Cricket Club had encountered “hostility and bigotry from some quarters” and it was a “disgrace” that they felt they had to cancel the event.

“Those who have criticised the club do not represent the vast majority of people in Comber or further afield in Strangford,” she said.

“The people who have criticised the club and forced the postponement of the summer scheme need to realise denying children the right to play sport together for purely sectarian reasons is not acceptable on any level.”

Armstrong said she believes that this incident shows “Northern Ireland needs to go a step further in the peace process”.

She said: “We can have wonderful showcase events like The Open but in local sport there are still those that need to come a long way like the rest of us.”

The former Ulster Unionist Party leader Doug Beattie told BBC Radio Ulster’s Good Morning Ulster that he felt the decision was “disappointing”.

Beattie added that “we should allow children to be children”.

“People may have concerns but we need to put this into perspective – this is about children,” he added.

“If you’ve got issues with the GAA, let’s raise it with the GAA, let’s not focus it on to kids.”

On BBC Radio Ulster’s The Nolan Show, TUV deputy leader Ron McDowell highlighted that the GAA’s official guide says its basic aim is “the strengthening of national identity in a 32-county Ireland through the preservation and promotion of Gaelic games and pastimes”.

“Children should be allowed play sport under all circumstances, what I’m talking about is the GAA as an organisation,” he said.

“What we are talking about is official invitations to the GAA and we need to press for reform from within and once we get those reforms then society in Northern Ireland won’t have these arguments, this baggage from the past, and we will move on stronger.”