GAA 'MUST CUT ALLIANZ TIES'

DUBLIN STAR David Byrne is calling on the GAA to cut ties with Allianz as headline sponsor of the National Leagues.

- Garry DOYLE

The eight-time All-Ireland winner was among several Dubs who signed a petition urging the Association to end its deal with the German insurance giant, over what campaigners say are links to Israel and the war in Gaza.

Byrne (31) says he's disappointed that the Association has pressed ahead with plans for another season under the Allianz banner.

"I have to say, from what I know, we're all still going to be playing in the Allianz Leagues," he said.

"The overall goal of the campaign was for the GAA to drop Allianz - and it seems like they haven't listened to us, or to those people making that campaign. That's been disappointing."

Year

The petition, circulated earlier this year by Dublin club activists, urged Croke Park to review its commercial links in light of what players and supporters called a "moral responsibility" An ethics committee was set up to look at the issue - but Byrne believes progress has been painfully slow.