The unionist-dominated Northern Ireland and the nationalist Irish Free State had recently been separated politically, and the GAA was prepared to surrender its authority to ensure national unity in athletics and cycling and avoid a division which would reinforce the reality of partition.
Following the recent political separation of unionist-dominated Northern Ireland from nationalist Irish Free State, the GAA was willing to cede its power to promote national unity in sports like athletics and cycling, thereby preventing a split that would further solidify the division between the two regions.