As a proud Leitrim man, this weekend's Connacht semi-final between Leitrim and London in Carrick on Shannon is monumental as we try to end a 19-year provincial drought.

With our wee population of 25,000 people you'd think that there would be little interest outside our lovely county and London's GAA strongholds.

Along with the Bush Hotel's Joe Dolan, fellow Eslin man and local County Councillor Enda Stenson chanced his arm by inviting the Queen to Carrick for Sunday's tie.

Was he expecting a response? Probably not but among the thousands of letters the monarch her secretary replied to, she chose to respond to the Leitrim v London request.

"We did not expect a respsone," said Enda. "But she's too busy with the horses at Ascot to call down to the match."

But he did confirm that if she changes her mind, she will have access to the whole presentation area at Pairc Sean MacDiarmada.

So in the very unlikely event theQueen is sufficiently compelled to attend, Enda will sort you out with the tickets.