The Ulster Unionist Party’s Fermanagh & South Tyrone MLA, Rosemary Barton, has called on the GAA to take action following last night’s scenes in Omagh and Dungannon after the Dungannon Clarkes side won the Tyrone Final.

Rosemary Barton said:

“Yesterday’s celebrations by Dungannon Clarkes GAA team after they won their first Tyrone Football title in 64 years raised obvious health concerns due to a severe lack of social distancing in the shape of a pitch invasion, but they also need to be challenged on the disgraceful scenes that have emerged during the post match celebrations.

“Winning a trophy for the first time in such a long period is obviously a cause of celebration, but given we are in the midst of a global pandemic there is a duty on everyone to behave responsibly so as not to risk endangering others.   

“I am particularly concerned at videos circulating on social media of people in numbered shirts holding a trophy aloft launching into pro-IRA chanting. We need to establish as a matter of urgency if these scenes relate to fans or actual players from last night because such scenes cause a great deal of hurt and offence to many people and can only serve to damage the GAA.

“It should not be forgotten that in July 2019 footage emerged of the Tyrone side inside their team bus singing sectarian songs and hurling sectarian abuse at young girls in an accordion band.

“As a society we should all quite rightly be very concerned at the health implications due to the lack of social distancing on display last night, but we cannot disregard the overt sectarianism being flaunted either.

“The GAA needs to take decisive action to clamp down on unacceptable and deeply offensive behaviour by its teams and fans.”