His department confirmed yesterday that he hopes to honour the side which won the All-Ireland title, before Christmas, if possible.

Sinn Fein and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness have requested the event.

Until now, Mr Campbell had said he would consider it, through the normal processes, on its merits, but there had been no confirmation it would happen.

The DUP minister is a longtime critic of the GAA, because of its republican terrorist associations and, formerly, its anti-police and Army policies.

In recent weeks, he has again called on the GAA to clean up its act with regard to memorials for IRA and INLA figures, which remain offensive to Protestants, unionists and others.

However, in his role as minister he opened a Gaelic football pitch in Belfast last month, and he has acknowledged changes made by some in GAA circles, regarding republican terrorist associations.

This week, Sinn Fein MLA Barry McElduff called for the minister to resign, claiming he could not be Sports and Culture Minister, in an even-handed manner, when he was continually insulting the Gaelic games tradition.

Yesterday Mr Campbell said the Sinn Fein MLA should get his facts straight, because he had been even-handed in his approach.

He added, he was looking favourably at the request to honour the team.

And, he confirmed: "I've been examining the available dates (for a Tyrone team reception)."

But, he explained, it took time because there was a number of receptions being considered.

"The Olympics occurred in August remember, and it was last night (Monday) before we were able to get an available slot (for a reception at Stormont) to recognise the Olympians and Para-Olympians," said the minister. "That is a period of two months."

Mr Campbell said he wanted to recognise "Gaelic excellence".

But this would not stop him being critical of issues surrounding Gaelic games.

lWest Tyrone DUP MLA Tom Buchanan has called on the GAA authorities to ensure that all the GAA flags and bunting are removed immediately from Omagh town centre and the surrounding areas.

Emblems are still flying, weeks after the Tyrone win.