‘Rebel’ tenant flags his support for Rebels

THE man who made headlines last week for hanging Cork flags from his apartment has put his money where his mouth is to help paint his native city red and white.

Rebels fan Diarmaid Twomey, 27, has dipped into his own pockets to buy 60 Cork flags which he and his business partner in mytown.ie, Garry Bennett, donated to the Cork Business Association (CBA).

The flags have been distributed to local businesses as the city gets behind both the Cork senior and minor footballers who contest the All-Ireland finals on Sunday.

Diarmaid defied a property management company’s instructions last week to remove two flags from the window of the apartment he rents in Eden in Blackrock.

He described the instruction as “petty nonsense” and said he and Garry, a Tipperary man, wanted to do something to boost the city’s morale.

CBA spokesman Donal Healy said judges will chose the best business display over the coming days to win an evening’s entertainment in Heineken Ireland’s Kiln hospitality suite in Blackpool.

Meanwhile, a landmark statue in the hometown of Cork’s senior football captain, Graham Canty, has been given a makeover ahead of Sunday’s clash with Down.

St Brendan, the Navigator, who stands proudly on a plinth high above the square has been dressed in a red jersey, and two flags, a Cork flag and a Bantry Blues, have been placed in his out-stretched hands. The statue was decorated at the weekend, and bunting and banners have been placed along the main street, as the town gets behind Canty and his squad.

And arrangements for next Monday night’s homecoming for both teams in Cork city centre are being finalised.

In a break from tradition, the teams are expected to arrive by coach in the city centre between 7.30pm and 8pm.

Unlike previous homecomings, there will be no parade on board an open-top bus from the train station.

The €50,000 city council-arranged homecoming will be held on a stage at the junction of the South Mall and Parnell Place. Entertainment will begin on the stage at around 7.15pm.