'Drop Allianz' Demonstration at GAA Congress 

Organised by four humanitarian organisations, a national demonstration will be held to coincide with the annual GAA Congress.

The demonstration will take place on Saturday, February 28, 2026, under the auspices of Gaels against Genocide, Dubs against Palestine, Irish Sport for Palestine and Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign.

The meeting point for the demonstration is Gills Pub on the North Circular Road at 11am. it will than proceed to the Hogan Stand Entrance at Croke Park. 

Keynote speakers include GAA greats- Colm McAlarney (Down), Dr David Hickey (Dublin), Brendan Devenney (Donegal) and Colm O’Rourke (Meath).

The speakers are among 800 former and current County players who signed an open letter in August 2025 calling on the GAA to promptly cease its relationship with Allianz - in line with a key recommendation of the UN Report on the ‘Economy of Genocide’. 

A spokesperson for the organisers said: "Allianz was one of 45 companies identified in the report by Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur.

"The letter referenced Allianz’s complicity in the Holocaust and business activities contributing to the ongoing illegal occupation, apartheid and genocide in Palestine," they added.

"According to January 2025 filings, Allianz is the largest private investor in Israeli war bonds due to the purchase of $960 million in bonds since October 2023 by its subsidiary PIMCO.

"In July 2024 UN Experts issued an appeal to investors to take decisive action in respect of companies arming Israel.

"The report ‘Ensuring Genocide’, revealed that Allianz almost doubled investments in 16 arms companies arming Israel in 2024. Allianz holds $7.3 billion in shares and bonds implicated in the genocide. 

"In respect of its own human rights responsibilities, the GAA must act independently of the State and must avoid causing or contributing to serious human rights abuses where governments fail to act. A failure of the government to act does not provide cover to corporations to continue with a ‘business as usual’ approach. The application of human rights in respect of the protection of children can never be selective and the GAA must not facilitate the sportswashing of the Allianz brand either through campaigns or sponsorship of Cumann na mBunscol competitions," said the spokesperson.

"The reality is that Allianz Plc (Ireland) benefits from the group brand and exists within a corporate structure and governance that has made a conscious decision to fund the Israeli regime since October 2023," they added.

"In 2024 Allianz Plc paid €100 million in dividends to its German parent company. The company in Ireland benefits from a lucrative contract providing insurance to over 2,000 clubs and from a prominent advertising platform."

Michael Doherty of Gaels against Genocide said: "The GAA is a volunteer-led democratic organisation, yet the hierarchy has shown scant regard for the grassroots on this important humanitarian issue. Motions approved by County Boards have been effectively censored and will not be on the agenda.

The report of the Ethics and Integrity Committee released just before Christmas, was an attempt to justify the relationship with Allianz as opposed to assessing whether the conduct of Allianz is ethical. It was more about convenience than doing the right thing. The GAA should be more concerned about protecting the reputation of our GAA than shielding a genocide enabler.”

The organisers of the demonstration said they were "aware of the growing concerns among grassroots in respect of governance, corporate capture and the impartiality of the Ethics Committee and GAA Executive"

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"Since the decision of the GAA Executive in December 2025 to retain Allianz, protests have been held at national league matches across Ireland both outside the grounds and on the pitch at half-time," said the spokesperson.

"Allianz hoardings have been notably absent at home games in Counties Tyrone, Derry and more recently Antrim with several counties dropping the Allianz logo.

"The current Tyrone team and management made a collective decision to boycott Allianz advertising and will not appear for interviews or photos with Allianz advertising. Many other players and managers have adopted this position. 

"Conradh na Gaeilge, an important Cultural institution with similar founding principles to the GAA passed a motion at their Ard-Fheis last week demanding that the GAA bring an end to the relationship with Allianz.

"This week former Kerry All-star Dara Ó Cinnéide said that the GAA should have extricated itself from its relationship with Allianz following last year’s UN Report. Antrim hurling legend, Neil McManus has expressed concern about increasing commercialism within the association. With concerns in respect of the future of the GAA, its reputation, values and governance, former Dublin footballer and lead transplant surgeon, Dr David Hickey has stated that this is 'a battle for the very soul of our GAA,'" said the spokesperson.