Clubs opposed to GAA's to involvement with Allianz

Ballynacargy GAA Club called on Westmeath GAA to begin ending the process of all commercial involvement with Allianz Insurance, in light of the findings in the recent UN report showing that the company is profiting from the illegal occupation of Palestine.

A motion to this year's County Convention had solid support from all clubs.

"Maybe this has to go to planning as well,” quipped delegate Brian Sheridan in reference to the majority of motions on the clár being referred to that particular committee. On a serious note, he said he was in the West Bank, Palestine, some years ago and saw first hand the apartheid. “A terrible situation,” he remarked.

He noted that many counties have suggested that the GAA withdraw from Allianz, who are generating from the genocide that is there. “As an organisation with our history, we should know about our values. What are our values; what will history say about us? That we contributed to this awful genocide.”

He paid tribute to Mullingar Shamrocks GAA club who raised a considerable amount of money for the victims of the genocide this year. “I’d ask everyone to encourage this motion,” he added, before a warm round of applause from other delegates.

The chairman replied: “It’s not for planning, but equally it is not for county convention. Maybe for a county committee to decide? The process was begun a number of months ago, referred to an ethics and integrity commission. Their work is still ongoing. I think we should leave it to them and it will come before congress in 2026.”

The chairman said everyone recognises the sincerity of what the Ballynacargy delegate was trying to achieve.

Since the Westmeath convention, the GAA have confirmed that a report from its ethics and integrity commission recommended retaining its association with Allianz. The GAA's management committee voted in favour of maintaining the relationship with the insurer. The report was commissioned after 800 current and former inter-county players called on the GAA to review its relationship with the multinational company. That was due to a UN report highlighting links between Allianz, Israeli war bonds, and the war in Gaza.

"The company that we do our deals with is not directly involved in any way in the war in Gaza," GAA President Jarlath Burns said.

Meanwhile, Frank Mescall responded to criticism from delegates regarding the number of motions being referred to planning without a decision at convention.

“Bringing a motion to the County Convention is really a change or rule. Bringing other motions that have to do with fixing games - they are for planning. Convention decides on rules.

“It’s not me making that up,” he explained.