Dublin great Hickey turns down GPA 'Legends Lunch' over GAA's Allianz links

 David Hickey during his Dublin playing days. Pic: Ray McManus/SPORTSFILE

Dublin’s three-time All-Ireland SFC winner Dr David Hickey has declined an invitation to today’s GPA’s 'Legends Lunch' in protest at the organisation’s “failure to take a stance” against the GAA’s Allianz sponsorship.

The golden anniversary of Hickey’s 1976 All-Ireland SFC winning team is being celebrated at the event in Croke Park.

Renowned as a transplant surgeon and for his advocacy of humanitarian issues, Hickey earlier this year donated his jersey from that final win over Kerry, as well as his All-Ireland winning medal and All-Star award from that year, to GAA Palestine and their development of football and hurling in the stricken country.

Hickey has been a strong campaigner against the GAA’s continued links with Allianz, who have indirect links through a subsidiary with Israel’s occupation of Gaza.

In a video message explaining his decision, Hickey said; “Personally, I am disassociating myself from everything official in the GAA hierarchy levels. I will not be attending the GPA’s so-called ‘Legends Lunch’ in Croke Park on Friday, which is honouring our 1976 team among others.

“I do not want the memory of that team associated in any way with the GPA, who have failed miserably to stand up for anything worthwhile apart from money.

“Furthermore, I will never again attend an inter-county game or hurling match as long as Allianz is associated with it. This is a rupture after a lifetime involved in the GAA. It is not an easy sacrifice for me to make.” 

Former Dublin player David Hickey at a protest against Allianz and its GAA links. Pic: Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile

The Irish Examiner has also learned Mayo manager Andy Moran asked that backdrop signage including the Allianz logo be removed from the media auditorium before his post-match press conference following the county’s All-Ireland semi-final win over Louth.

This past season, Tyrone manager Malachy O’Rourke as well as his players refused to conduct interviews with Allianz’ logo behind them. O’Rourke also attended a protest during the summer.

Despite the GAA’s decision to retain its association with the global company in the form of sponsorship and underwriting, Tyrone have continued to highlight what they consider the troubling relationship as the genocide in Gaza persists.

Allianz’s asset management subsidiary Pimco are claimed to have purchased $2.67 billion of Israeli government bonds since 2024. Allianz are the title sponsors of the National Leagues and one of the three associate backers of the All-Ireland senior football championship.

Hickey will be part of a protest at the top of Jones’ Road outside Gill’s pub close to Croke Park ahead of Sunday’s Kerry-Mayo final.