Programme standoff in Omagh as locals refuse to sell due to Allianz link

Added to that is a conspicuous absence of Allianz advertising branding at the venue for this All-Ireland senior football championship Round 2A clash between Tyrone and Mayo.

Protests in Omagh ahead of Tyrone v Mayo over the GAA's continued links to Allianz. Pic: Brendan O'Brien.

The GAA’s Allianz problem is back front and centre at O’Neill’s Healy Park where the Tyrone county board’s communications committee and members of the local Omagh St Enda’s club have refused to handle match programmes for the game with Mayo.

Added to that is a conspicuous absence of Allianz advertising branding at the venue for this All-Ireland senior football championship Round 2A clash which throws in at 3.30pm.

Protests behind the goal in Omagh ahead of Tyrone v Mayo over the GAA's continued links to Allianz. Pic: Brendan O'Brien.

Programmes are being sold at the ground, just metres from a number of people displaying banners and signs decrying the association’s ongoing commercial link with Allianz. Former Tyrone captain and manager Eugene McKenna is among them.

McKenna is distributing leaflets asking “does your club support the motion that was submitted to GAA Congress calling on the GAA to begin the process of ending its commercial relationship with Allianz?” 

According to McKenna, 44% of Ulster clubs are now represented in the protest. Ten counties supported the motion to Congress calls are being made for talks to take place with the GAA hierarchy and county boards.