Consensus in County Derry on ending Allianz partnership
The initiative was spearheaded by a group of former inter-county players, including members of the famous 1993 All-Ireland winning team
GAA clubs from across County Derry have engaged in a survey in respect of the ongoing partnership with Allianz.
The initiative was spearheaded by a group of former inter-county players, including members of the famous 1993 All-Ireland winning team.
The results of the survey were formally published at the Derry Centre of Excellence yesterday evening (Wednesday).
There was a 100% response rate from all 41 clubs in the Oak-leaf County, including 2024 All-Ireland club champions, Watty Graham’s, Glen Maghera and the Roibeard Eiméid club in Slaughtneil. All clubs voted to end the relationship with Allianz.
The following comment was made by one of the clubs in response to the survey: “The loss of life in Gaza and the treatment of the civilian population has shocked the world. The GAA, cognisant of our own history, must take a stand; give voice to the voiceless and speak truth to power. We cannot allow debate within our organisation to be silenced.”
According to the official governance guide, the GAA is a democratic organisation, and clubs are the bedrock of the association.
Commentary from clubs highlighted concerns over the democratic deficit.
“We are deeply disappointed that the democratic process of Congress was bypassed, and a full debate did not take place. Our club remains steadfast in the belief that the GAA must align its commercial partnerships with its core values of social justice, integrity and community. We continue to support the motion to end the relationship with Allianz and call for a transparent, member-led discussion on the ethics of central sponsorships. We urge the leadership to listen to the voices of the grass-root clubs.”
Nodlaig Ní Bhrollaigh, an advocate for the group ‘Gaels against Genocide’ in County Derry stated: “It is an incredible situation that clubs are being forced to operate outside the structures of their own organisation. The motion approved at the Derry County Convention was removed from the Congress agenda. There was no debate, no representations by delegates. The club survey had to be conducted outside of the normal process despite requests from clubs for the survey to be placed on the agenda and sent out by the County secretary. The GAA hierarchy has abandoned its own ethos, values and governance guidance in order to protect a corporate partner that has been identified as a ‘genocide enabler’."
Former County star and Glenullin clubman, Dermot McNicholl who has been to the fore of the campaign said: “As former players and dedicated GAA members, we firmly believe that the voice of clubs must be heard on this important humanitarian issue. Clubs in Derry have reaffirmed their position and are sending a clear message to the GAA hierarchy that the relationship with Allianz must be terminated.”
The list of former players supporting the survey include Dermot McNicholl, Karl Diamond, Declan Bateson, Tony Scullion, Brian McGilligan, Eamonn Burns, Colm Rafferty, Kieran McKeever, Joe Brolly, Damian Barton, Richard Ferris, Damien McCusker, Gareth O'Kane, Malachi Ó hÁgáin, Damien Cassidy, Dermot Heaney, Enda Gormley, Liam Óg Hinphey, Conchur Ó Muirí, Cormac O'Doherty, Johnny McGurk, Danny Quinn, Hugh Tohill, Gary Coleman, Fergal McCusker and Brian McCormack.