The Daily Star Ireland
The GAA’s Ard Chomhairle has confirmed that its long-standing partnership with Allianz is now under review by the association’s Ethics and Integrity Committee. Allianz, which has sponsored the GAA National Leagues since 1993 and is contracted to continue until 2030, also backs the Camogie Association and Cumann na mBunscol programs.
The sponsorship came under scrutiny after Allianz was named in a report by UN special rapporteur Francesca Albanese, who highlighted several companies linked to human rights concerns in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. In response, nearly 800 current and former players across Gaelic football, hurling, camogie, and ladies’ football signed a petition calling for the GAA to examine the partnership. The petition was formally delivered at Croke Park last month, intensifying calls for accountability and transparency within the organization.
Galway United to Play at GAA Grounds
The meeting also addressed a significant development for Galway sport. Galway GAA received approval to host six of Galway United’s SSE Airtricity League fixtures next summer at their county ground in Salthill. The move comes as United’s usual home, Eamonn Deacy Park, undergoes major drainage works during the same period.
Galway United, currently sitting eighth in the Premier Division, are locked in a tense battle with Sligo Rovers to avoid slipping into the promotion/relegation play-off. The temporary use of the GAA venue provides the club with a crucial alternative home ground, ensuring they can complete their league fixtures without disruption.
What This Means
The review of Allianz’s sponsorship underscores the GAA’s increasing focus on ethical governance, with growing pressure from players and supporters alike to align commercial partnerships with broader social values. Meanwhile, the decision to allow Galway United to share a GAA ground highlights a spirit of cooperation between sporting codes, offering practical solutions during a critical phase of the football season.
