Dublin flags removed ahead of ladies football All-Ireland ‘a disgrace’
By Aideen O'Flaherty
THE REMOVAL of Dublin flags along the Tallaght Bypass from Templeogue to Tallaght ahead of the 2018 All-Ireland Senior Ladies' Football Championship Final this weekend has been branded “a disgrace” by a local GAA fan.
The navy-and sky-blue flags were flying high along the Tallaght Bypass (N81), from the Spawell up as far as Glenview, following the success of the Dublin Men’s team earlier this month.
The Dublin Men’s Senior Football Team won the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship and brought the Sam Maguire back to the capital, but the flags were taken down this week ahead of the women’s final this weekend.
Bobby O’Neill, a local GAA fan from Castle Park who’s a supporter of St Mary’s GAA Club in Saggart, told The Echo: “It’s disgraceful, it’s a terrible thing to do with the girls playing this weekend.”
Mick Duff, a Labour councillor for Tallaght Central who is a long-time Dublin supporter, said: “I’m annoyed that the flags were taken down, because it sends a message that we don’t value females in sport.
“This is unusual for South Dublin County Council, as it is a very inclusive local authority, but I think in this case it was an oversight.
“It’s important that we send out a message that we are supporting women in sport.”
A spokesperson from South Dublin County Council told The Echo: “The flags were due to remain until the finals concluded.
“A contractor working on behalf of the council removed the flags prematurely.
“The contractor has been asked to reinstate the flags in time for the Ladies’ GAA final.”
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