Opposition to the German firm is continuing due to its financial links with the Israeli government
A HOST of Dublin Gaelic football greats have backed the expected refusal of the current crop not to conduct any League interviews in front of Allianz signage.
Led by Dr David Hickey, a long-term advocate for the Palestinian people, the group has expressed support for non-engagement with the title sponsors of the National Football and Hurling Leagues.
Their statement hails the “great moral and courageous protest and your refusal to be complicit with Allianz and the GAA in their complicity in genocide in Gaza.”
Opposition to the German firm is continuing due to its financial links with the Israeli government, despite the GAA’s decision not to end its contracts for sponsorship and insurance.
On Monday evening RTE’s Niall McCoy broke the story that Dublin’s senior footballers and hurlers have collectively agreed not to speak in front of any Allianz branding.
Current Dublin defender Davy Byrne has been an outspoken critic of Israel’s actions in Gaza since the October 7 (2023) attack by Hamas on Israel.
In response to that breaking story Hickey and other legends, including former manager Pat Gilroy, iconic coach Mickey Whelan, and recently retired players Philly McMahon and Michael Dara Macauley were among those who put their names to a statement of support for that stance on non-engagement.
“This magnificent gesture will mark this team as special,” it says, adding that the players are using “their prominence in Irish life to highlight the atrocities being committed in Gaza.”
Addressed to new manager Ger Brennan, and sent to The Irish News, it reads:
“Dear Ger and the Dublin team,
“We former Dublin footballers would like to congratulate you on your great moral and courageous protest and your refusal to be complicit with Allianz and the GAA in their complicity in genocide in Gaza.
“This magnificent gesture will mark this team as special. We believe it will also define your team as much more than a group of footballers.
“It will remember you as a group of young men who dared challenge the status quo and use their prominence in Irish life to highlight the atrocities being committed in Gaza.
“You are a team of character and principles … traits that will win you the All-Ireland this year.
“We former Dublin Footballers salute you and want you to know we are very proud of you.
“David Hickey, Bobby Doyle, Tommy Drumm, Alan Larkin, Philly Mc Mahon, Paddy O Reilly, Michael Hickey, Pat Gilroy, Michael Dara Macauley, Mickey Whelan, Ian Robertson, Andy Roche, John Caffrey, Norman Bernard, and John McCarthy.”
None of the motions from 10 counties calling on the GAA to end its links with Allianz are likely to go before Annual Congress next month.
Former hurling captain Neil McManus had anticipated player protests during the National Leagues against the GAA’s ongoing relationship with Allianz.
The Cushendall man feels that the links the sponsors and insurers have with the Israeli government should mean the Association ends its relationship:
“I don’t think we should have any involvement with the Allianz, just to be crystal clear about it,” said the 37-year-old.
However, before Christmas the GAA’s Management Committee backed the recommendation in a report from its Ethics and Integrity Commission not to end the links.
