‘If the wider membership of the GAA vote to boycott the Allianz league, then we will adhere to it’: Down hurling boss Ronan Sheehan
DOWN hurling boss Ronan Sheehan says they “will be guided by the wider association” in the county ahead of a vote on possible withdrawal from the forthcoming leagues in protest at Allianz’s continued sponsorship.Saval have submitted a motion calling for “the withdrawal from all inter-county fixtures in competitions that bear Allianz as lead sponsor”, which will be voted on at the Down county committee meeting in Newcastle on Thursday, January 15.While the county footballers are targeting promotion from Division Three, in a bid to secure another crack at the All-Ireland championship, the hurlers are looking forward to rubbing shoulders with some of the big boys after earning promotion to Division 1B for the first time since 2007.Their campaign starts away to Carlow on January 24 before welcoming Wexford to Ballycran, then a trip to Ennis to take on 2024 All-Ireland champions Clare. Their league campaign finishes against Ulster rivals Antrim at Pairc Esler.Sheehan admits it would be “disappointing” to miss out on playing in 1B, but says they will support whatever decision is made.“Our view is very clear - GAA is a democracy and if the wider membership of the GAA vote to boycott the Allianz league then we will adhere to it.“But at the moment central council have voted on this, so unless there is another vote at congress then I’m not sure what else can happen.“Certainly it would be disappointing to miss out on playing in 1B but, if that is the decision of the association, then we will support it.“My own personal view on the association with Allianz is very clear, but I’m simply a custodian in this role so will be guided by the wider association in Down and, naturally, what my players want to do.”The GAA released a statement on Friday, December 19 confirming that it was to continue its 30-year association with Allianz, after the Management Committee decided to accept the recommendation of the association’s Ethics and Integrity Committee.Several counties, including Down, passed motions at their county conventions calling for Allianz’s removal after the insurance company - through its German parent company - was among a series of companies listed in a report by UN special rapporteur on Human Rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Francesca Albanese.Allianz has been the leading sponsor of the National Leagues since 1993, with the current deal due to run to 2030. It is also the insurer of the GAA’s stadiums and 2,200 clubs.In August, close to 800 current and former players handed in an open letter and petition to Croke Park, calling on the association to drop Allianz insurance as a sponsor for GAA games.Down great Colm McAlarney, whose name was on that letter, recently urged the GAA to rethink their stance – describing it as “an unconscionable position for our association to be in”.Saval’s motion says that the club “vehemently disagrees” with the Ethics and Integrity Commission’s stance on the issue.“[Saval] believe it to be completely at odds with the views of the members of our Association and indeed the very ethos of the GAA,” the motion concludes.
