The flag is displayed by Dublin supporters before games in Croke Park.

The flag is displayed by Dublin supporters before games in Croke Park.

DUBLIN GAA SUPPORTERS are planning a boycott of all retail facilities inside Croke Park after a ban was imposed by the GAA on a large flag used on Hill 16.

The boycott is planned to take place during Dublin’s upcoming All-Ireland quarter-final meeting with either Down, Armagh or Monaghan and will include all bars, shops and fast food stalls inside the stadium.

A statement released on behalf of Dublin GAA supporters’ social media pages said the barring of the flag was the latest restriction placed on fans of the county, urging supporters not to spend “one cent” inside Croke Park while it was still in place.

The statement read:

“Yesterday’s announcement that the large Dublin flag regularly seen at games would not be allowed on Hill 16 any longer was the latest in a long line of ridiculous rules and regulations for supporters who attend Hill 16 on match day.

“Unnecessary searches even before the new safety rules came in, caps taken off bottles of minerals, flags banned and a huge perspex screen are just some of the unnecessary ‘safety measures’ we have had to contend with.

“Yet the GAA and Croke Park have no issue leaving stairwells and fire exits blocked during games along with keeping us penned in behind the perspex screen. Where are the perspex screens for the other stands? Yesterday’s banning of the large flag has led us to finally say enough is enough.”

Yesterday a ban was upheld on the supporters’ flag which is paraded across Hill 16 before games, with Dublin Fire Brigade saying it could cause a fire risk.

Source: Donall Farmer/INPHO

The Dublin supporters’ statement added that it would maintain its boycott of retail facilities within Croke Park until the GAA addressed fans’ concerns.

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“We as social media pages that represent Dublin GAA supporters are therefore calling on all Dublin GAA supporters to boycott every retail facility inside Croke Park on August 5th. We would urge you all to bring your own food and drinks and not contribute one cent to the bars, shops and every other outlet inside Croke Park.

“We regret any loss to the franchises involved but the continued disregard for supporters has forced us to call for this action. This is the only action possible that allows us to protest while also allowing us to support our team.

“We will continue the call for this boycott until the GAA addresses supporters concerns and may take further action in the form of boycotting games at Croke Park in the future if our pleas fall on deaf ears.”

Dublin and Tyrone will play their quarter-finals against the two teams that progress from Round 4B of the qualifiers on Saturday week, 5 August.

A draw will only be needed if both Monaghan and Armagh beat Down and Kildare this weekend.

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