GAA to discuss Tyrone's Allianz opposition

View of an Allianz protest during the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship Round 2A match between Tyrone and Mayo at O’Neills Healy Park in Omagh, Tyrone. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

The GAA’s Management Committee will discuss on Friday correspondence from Tyrone GAA about Allianz’s sponsorship of the association.

The county have continued to air their concerns about the association’s relationship with the global insurance company and its indirect links to the genocide in Gaza.

It is now claimed that Allianz’s asset management subsidiary Pimco has purchased $2.67 billion of Israeli government bonds since 2024.

Former Tyrone manager and captain Eugene McKenna is part of the “Our Clubs, Our Voice” movement opposing the GAA’s association with Allianz. He was part of a protest at the recent Tyrone-Mayo game in Omagh. “We're not expecting a definitive decision on this vexed issue,” said McKenna. “Nor should there be one at this stage.

"This critical issue needs to be decided by the GAA as a whole, at all levels and in all places, and not by individual committees, no matter how powerful they might be."

A statement from “Our Clubs, Our Voice” highlights that “being listened to” is part of the GAA’s mission statement. It reads: “The GAA was founded to be on the right side of history. Being in that place isn't always easy. But it's always right.

“And in this case the right thing to do is facilitate a decision-making debate right across the Association. Friday evening should start that process.” 

At their recent All-Ireland SFC Round 2A clash with Mayo in Omagh, officials refused to sell physical match programmes as they included Allianz advertisements and branding. Not for the first time this year, billboards featuring the company’s logo also didn’t appear in O’Neill's Healy Park.

“Gaels against Genocide in Gaza” commended Tyrone GAA for showing “tremendous courage and leadership and given a voice to the many clubs and Counties that have been silenced since this important ethical issue has been raised.” 

Tyrone were among nine counties who put forward motions calling on the GAA to sever their commercial relationship with Allianz. Westmeath clubs also indicated they would back such a proposal. However, the motions were not debated at Congress in February In December, an ethics and integrity commission report recommended the GAA retain its arrangements with Allianz. It also advised the association to ensure Allianz plc “to use its influence to encourage other companies within the Allianz group to act in accordance with Irish, European and International Law”.

Protestors calling on the GAA to cut off Allianz disrupted the second day of Congress in Croke Park in February. “No to Allianz” “and “Allianz Amach” banners and Palestinian flags have continued to be displayed at GAA games.

Tyrone management and players have refused to be interviewed in front of backdrops featuring the company’s name. They face Kerry in Saturday’s All-Ireland SFC quarter-finals.

Allianz are the title sponsors of the National Leagues and one of the three associate backers of the All-Ireland senior football championship.