GAA told ‘stop IRA memorial football match’

The call, from Mid-Ulster MLA Ian McCrea, comes after news that an event marking the deaths of two IRA members is set to take place this weekend in one of County Donegal’s biggest stadiums.

The ‘Giants will Clash’ Harvey and McGlynn memorial cup match will see selected members from clubs around County Tyrone face a Donegal Select side. It is being held in memory of IRA men Seamus Harvey and Gerard McGlynn.

Mr McCrea said the GAA must immediately take action to stop the event, set to take place this Friday, August 24th in McCumhaill Park, from taking place on its grounds.

The MLA told the MAIL: “It has come to my attention yet again that a terrorist commemorative gaelic match between a Tyrone Select and Donegal Select team is to take place in a ground named after a republican terrorist.

“Whilst I acknowledge that the GAA have been making the right sounds on issues such as this however, this event flies in the face of all that has been said when time after time events like this GAA match in memory of IRA members Seamus Harvey and Gerard McGlynn Cup take place at McCumhaill Park in Ballybofey an associated GAA ground.”

“Over the past few years a number of events have taken place across Mid-Ulster on GAA grounds and the excuse was given that they didn’t know about it, well they know about this one and it’s time to see action.” the Assemblyman said.

Mr McCrea added: “Republican commemorations at GAA facilities along with the naming of grounds and competitions does not do anything to make the organisation acceptable to the Unionist community and I again make a genuine appeal to the GAA to introduce and enact a ruling that no Republican Terrorist commemorations should be held on any of their grounds and show once and for all that they are a sporting organisation with no support for terrorists.”