Controversial banner returning to Croker
August 07, 2014
Set for another showing at Croke Park.
The Armagh fan who placed a banner relating to the Gaza conflict at Croke Park last Saturday - only to have it removed by GAA officials - has vowed to unfurl it again when the Orchard County return to Jones' Road on Saturday.
Added to the famous and humorous 'Garvaghy Road Orangemen on Tour' banner were the words: "we stand with Gaza". The message was aimed at highlighting the humanitarian plight of 1,800 Palestinian civilians killed and thousands more injured by Israeli forces during the bitter dispute in recent weeks.
A GAA spokesman told the Irish News that the banner, which is owned by a group of friends from the Garvaghy Road in Portadown, was removed because it reflected a "non-sporting message".
But Aaron O'Neill, who placed the banner on empty seats in the Davin Stand during Armagh's win over Meath last weekend, has defended the message by saying: "This was about raising the humanitarian disaster faced by the people of Gaza.
"It was just a vehicle to get the message out."
Confirming that he will be bringing the banner back to Croke Park this weekend for Armagh's All-Ireland SFC quarter-final joust with Donegal, O'Neill added: "The message will be stronger this week."
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