Dublin fans to go ahead with boycott over big flag ban on Hill 16

A Dublin GAA supporters group says it will go ahead with boycott of retail facilities inside Croke Park this weekend and is urging other counties to follow suit after being told they will not be allowed to display an outsized navy and blue flag at games.

The boycott was announced last month after the large Dublin flag that is traditionally passed across Hill 16 before throw-in at their games was deemed prohibited.

The GAA said a directive was issued on June 19th about the size of items being brought into Croke Park not being bigger than A4 in size.

“This development followed discussions with statutory bodies in light of well-publicised incidents at international venues in recent months,” a GAA spokesman said.

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It was hoped the matter would have been resolved prior to the double-header at Croke Park on Saturday when Tyrone take on Armagh (4pm) followed by Dublin versus Monaghan (6pm).

Richie Larkin of the All Dublin GAA Fans supporters group said: “It’s not about a Dublin flag. The Dublin flag just broke the camel’s back at this stage.

“They’re [the GAA] on about safety. Well, we want safety as well. We don’t want overcrowding on the hill and we don’t want to be penned in.

“We’re asking all patrons who are going to support their teams tomorrow to boycott the bars, the food outlets and Elvery Sports shop [at the stadium].”

Mr Larkin said if the issue was not resolved over the coming weeks, the supporter’s group would look at boycotting food and bar outlets during league matches next year. “We’re adamant on this, we’re not backing down,” he said. “It’s not just about Dublin, it’s all GAA fans.”

Meeting

Former lord mayor and Dublin city councillor Christy Burke said he has arranged a meeting between Peter McKenna, the stadium director and the supporters’ group for next week but had hoped the GAA might allow the flag for Saturday’s game. Mr McKenna is understood to be on annual leave.

“I thought in the interim that someone of authority would have been able to say ‘Give them [fans] the benefit of the doubt, let the flag in this Saturday, there’s going to be discussions’,” Cllr Burke said.

“I had contacted the GAA twice this week and I just got the reply, ‘We will have to wait for discussions next week’. I’m disappointed and I spoke to a lot of fans last night and they were living in hope that we might get it up for tomorrow night.”

Cllr Burke added: “Hill 16 without the Dublin supporter’s flag is like going to Dollymount without the sand.”