Laois GAA coach McNulty touches down in Wexford after Stormont cameo

Laois GAA coach Justin McNulty made it to Wexford in plenty of time for the throw-in on Saturday just hours after the full-time politician was in Stormont for the historic return of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Mr McNulty was on the pitch with his Laois Gaelic football charges well before 6pm when the Laois V Wexford Division 4 Allianz League game got underway in Wexford Park.

He made the trip within hours of attending Stormont Castle where his party, the SDLP and other northern political groups gathered for the first time in two years for the resumption of the Assembly. Mr McNulty posted on X looking forward to the return of devolved government in the North on Saturday morning.

"Let's hope for brighter days ahead," he said. MORE BELOW POST.

Let’s hope for brighter days ahead pic.twitter.com/BydSgEei2l

— Justin McNulty (@JustinMcNu1ty) February 3, 2024

The Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Newry and Armagh sat behind his Assembly party leader Matthew O'Toole during the election of Michelle O'Neill of Sinn Féin as First Minister.

Mr McNulty joined Mr O'Toole and other SDLP members in a press conference at Stormont on Saturday. He stood just behind Mr O'Toole during the briefing. More below pic.

Pictured: Justin McNulty with Matthew O'Toole in Stormont on Saturday.

It does not seem that Mr McNulty remained in the North for the entire proceedings on Saturday. Darran Marshall of the BBC reported that the Laois coach left the Assembly at some stage before 2.40pm. Mr Marshall also claimed that he wasn't there for the party's nomination of Matthew O'Toole as Leader of the Opposition in Stormont.

SDLP's Justin McNulty left the Assembly at some stage before 2.40pm. He wasn't there for the party's nomination of Matthew O'Toole as Leader of the Opposition. pic.twitter.com/VIcteHo8K8

— Darran Marshall (@DarranMarshall) February 3, 2024

It is not clear how Mr McNulty made the 6 pm throw-in in Wexford in time. Parliament Buildings near Belfast is more than 320 kms from Wexford - a three hour 30 minute drive. More below pic.

Pictured: Justin McNulty on the pitch before the game.

Mr McNulty or Laois GAA have not commented on how he hopes to balance the roles but the SDLP Assembly leader has.

BBC told that Laois GAA coach is expected to work 'full time' as MLA

SDLP Northern Ireland Assembly Leader spells out Justin McNulty's priorities

Mr O'Toole has said he expects all MLAs to work full-time representing their constituents. 

Mr McNulty was a surprise choice when he returned to Laois GAA for his second stint as the county's Gaelic Football manager in 2023. He is a former All-Ireland winning player with Armagh and is deeply rooted in the SDLP in the county which has been a stronghold for the party for decades.