Kenny Archer: GAA Congress delegates must publicly debate Allianz links
Call me ‘weird’ if you like but I enjoy going to GAA Annual Congress.Discovering the genuine delights of Donegal town was a highlight last year.Unfortunately, I’m unable to go to this year’s event due to a prior commitment, which is a double pity (for me at least, if not for the delegates).I’ve recently had the pleasure of travelling to Dublin by train, so I’m sorry not to be on that mode of transport again.Clare Loughran, a daughter of Sean Brown, speaking during day one of the 2025 GAA Congress at The Abbey Hotel in Donegal.
Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile (Ramsey Cardy / SPORTSFILE/SPORTSFILE) I’d also like to be there to see, in person, how many delegates, if any, will have the courage to question from the floor of Congress why the leadership denied all motions about the continuing links with Allianz.
Everyone in the GAA should be concerned about that, whether or not you oppose, support, or don’t care at all about the identity of the Association’s insurers and one of its major sponsors.The principles of democracy, representation, and freedom are at stake.The ability of Central Council to dictate – and I use that particular verb advisedly – what can and, more importantly, cannot be debated by the supposed major decision-making body of the GAA is of huge importance.It’s worth reiterating that no fewer than 10 counties passed motions on this subject at their county convention.Ten.More than a quarter of the counties which make up the Association.Tyrone Gaels against Genocide in Gaza with their 50-metre blanket of remembrance on display at Healy Park, Omagh.
Picture Oliver McVeigh (OLIVER MC VEIGH/Oliver McVeigh) Six from Ulster, including that of the GAA President Jarlath Burns (Armagh).Two each from Connacht and Leinster, including Offaly, who were first off the mark.Yet all have been ignored, sidelined, blackballed, however you want to term the shameful moves.The noises coming from the top brass are that Allianz will be debated fully AT Congress – but that’s significantly different from a motion being debated BY Congress.There may be a short opportunity to ask questions during discussion of the Director-General’s Annual Report on Friday evening but there is much to discuss from that lengthy document.What’s more, there’s a further ‘power grab’ by Central Council on the Clar this weekend.Motion 23 (of 25), which, if they are taken in order, will be considered at a time when delegates are thinking about heading home and tired of talking.Yet this motion will give Central Council the power to interpret codes, as well as rules.Rather conveniently, codes include oversight of – you guessed it – sponsorship.That is being used as an excuse for not allowing any motions relating to Allianz, even though there is provision in the GAA’s Official Guide to bring in new rules or to amend codes.Allianz sponsor boards that were displayed close to the goals are removed at the end of the match between Donegal and Kerry during the National Football League Div 1 match played at Ballyshannon on Sunday 1st of February 2026. PICTURE: MARGARET MCLAUGHLIN Currently Central Council does NOT have explicit power over codes (and therefore sponsorship) - but that power would be handed over to Central Council if this motion is passed.There’s been much, entirely understandable, unrest and unhappiness north of the border about the recent proposed 27% pay rise for MLAs at Stormont.Yet at least that has been proposed, and explained, by an independent body.Who has put forward the motion to give more power to Central Council?That’s right – Central Council, in cahoots with the Rules Advisory Committee.This change went without a word of comment at the motions briefing which the GAA held this year.Usually such a briefing takes place for the media but this time that, strangely, did not occur; or at least this outlet was not aware of any invite. Instead, we were issued with a video recording.Such ‘minor’ tweaks to rules which carry considerable consequences remind me of the alterations to the ‘Seven Commandments’ in ‘Animal Farm’.George Orwell’s famous satirical novella was, of course, an allegory about the authoritarianism of Stalin in the USSR.Gaels Against Genocide in Gaza held a protest at half-time in the NHL Div 1B game between Antrim and Clare at Cushendall.
Picture: Seamus Loughran At best such a change to Rule 3.41 (b) – Powers and Functions - Official Guide Part 1 is ‘mission creep’ – but it appears much more deliberate than a mere ‘unintended consequence’.Of course any large organisation has to delegate decision-making from the many to the few.However, what’s the point of Annual Congress if the hundreds of delegates don’t get to debate motions about matters of great import to many, and instead decisions are handed down by the powerful few at the top?The debate over Allianz goes to the core of the GAA and what it is supposed to represent.The Irish language community has made its opposition to the German insurance giant clear. A motion urging the GAA to drop Allianz was passed unanimously at the Conradh na Gaeilge Ard Fheis in Belfast at the weekend.Ireland’s largest teaching union, the INTO, is to discuss a similar motion next month.Derry Cumann na mBunscoil have secured sponsorship from CIVCO, rather than be associated with Allianz.There were no Allianz hoardings at Corrigan Park (Antrim) or Celtic Park (Derry) at the weekend National Football and Hurling League matches, while Tyrone are not carrying its name or branding anywhere either.Fr Aidan Troy pointed out that action is a central element of Lent, urging the GAA to “cut at the roots of the funding” of genocide and starvation of the suffering people in Gaza.Three-time All-Ireland winner Dr David Hickey joined thousands marching in Belfast under the banner of Gaels against Genocide.
PICTURE: MAL MCCANN (Mal McCann) Various GAA greats have criticised the continuing links with Allianz and called on people to attend a protest march to Croke Park this Saturday morning.Dr David Hickey, the former Dublin footballer and transplant surgeon, plus the Dubs’ former player and manager Pat Gilroy have issued videos calling for the sponsorship to be dropped, as have Tyrone greats Damian O’Hagan and Joe McMahon.Dr Hickey stated: “The GAA is a grassroots, community-based, volunteer-driven organisation. This ethos is being put at grave risk by…the association with Allianz…”McMahon believes that the GAA “is at a crossroads”, adding that “we want the GAA to uphold its own moral values and cut ties to companies linked to human rights abuses.” Gilroy noted that “as Irish people, our history has been to fight against oppression, and successfully do it.“The GAA stands as a beacon in this country, of the people. Its gestures would be massive in relation to international support for intending this genocide in Gaza, which is just horrendous to watch every day. Please join the march.”The national protest this Saturday will commence from Gill’s Pub on Dublin’s North Circular Road at 11am.Protestors are encouraged to wear club and county colours for their march to Croke Park.Those inside the stadium at Annual Congress will also have their part to play.Motion 23 should not just be nodded through but rather discussed and debated.It should be used as an opportunity to ask why not a single motion of the 10 passed by counties could be made suitable for debate.Dr Hickey appropriately quoted the British anti-slavery campaigner William Wilberforce:“You can choose to look the other way – but you can’t say you didn’t know”.
