'This heat will keep on' - Donegal and Mayo to come together for Allianz protest

Donegal and Mayo will come together on Sunday for a peaceful protest against the GAA’s ongoing partnership with insurance company Allianz before the sides meet in Letterkenny.

The global group Allianz has invested $1 billion in Israeli government war bonds since October 2023 and billions more into companies linked to the ongoing situation. 

Major international bodies, including the United Nations Commission of Inquiry, the International Association of Genocide Scholars, and Amnesty International, have formally concluded that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.

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Former Donegal footballer Brendan Devenney led a protest in Ballyshannon ahead of Donegal’s fixture with Kerry two weeks ago, where he was joined by the likes of 1992 All-Ireland winning manager Brian McEniff, while there was a similar show of support in Castlebar, where Mayo played Dublin.

This was part of a widespread backlash from GAA fans as protests were held across the country as part of the ‘Gaels against Genocide’ group. 

Donegal and Mayo are due to meet at 1:45pm at O'Donnell Park in Letterkenny, with the protest taking place at the entrance to the ground at noon.

“You're welcome to join us and stand in solidarity  on Sunday at 12 o'clock,” Devenney said. “Allianz are one of the major backers of this evil Israeli machine that has murdered tens of thousands of innocent people in Gaza and indeed the West Bank, and we are giving them millions every year in insurance costs and we're also allowing their blood banner around our grounds.

“Now if you look at it, you know, in terms of people coming to enjoy our games, families coming to enjoy our match, well this banner is behind us, while at the same time that company is backing the IDF that is mass murdering families in another part of the world.”

The GAA Ethics and Integrity Commission (EIC) reviewed calls to end the Allianz sponsorship due to alleged links to entities involved in the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories. The report clarified that Allianz plc, the sponsor, does not have direct involvement, though linked companies do, and advised ensuring future business partners avoid unethical activities.

“It's a sickening situation, but the fact that we have to protest against it - it just shows the lack of leadership, the lack of morals and integrity from our GAA executive,” Devenney added.

“There's not one word of ethics from this committee and this is what the GAA is hiding behind now in terms of quelling motions and ruling things undemocratic as we go towards Congress. So this is why we're protesting folks and this protest, believe me, they will not stop.

“This heat will keep on until we cut ties with Allianz because our morals and our integrity and who we are as the GAA - and who we are as people - is right at the core of this. So join us Sunday, keep up the fight and to the GAA people this is not going to go away. Drop Allianz. Free Palestine.”