It was a memorable day for Conor Laverty and Down GAA yesterday, beating Donegal 2-13 to 1-11 in Newry. For anyone in Pairc Esler or watching at home on television, the game was memorable not only for what happened on it, but indeed above it.
A small plane circled the Down county ground for much of the first half, and its small engine was very audible on the TV commentary. Attached to its tail was a banner calling for the removal of long-serving Down GAA county secretary Séan Óg McAteer. It read 'Sack Sean Óg. Sack Chucky Ned'
Sack Sean Og , something to do with Down county chairman 🤷🏻♂️ pic.twitter.com/FfCkCuAToN
— Armagh Fans 🟠⚪️ (@ArmaghFans1889) April 23, 2023
The sound of a plane engine could be clearly heard at various intervals of the game - watch Liam Kerr's goal back here for a taster of it. It's the kind of sound you expect in a World War II film, not on a Sunday April afternoon in the Ulster Championship.
What a response from Down 💪
Liam Kerr strikes back to level it!
Watch live on BBC Two NI, BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website 📺📱💻⤵️#BBCGAA— BBC SPORT NI (@BBCSPORTNI) April 23, 2023
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The sound was clearly a massive annoyance to people in the ground or watching at home.
Could that plane in Newry please piss off? #gaa
— Unofficial Tyrone ⭐⭐⭐⭐🏐 (@TyroneGAABlog) April 23, 2023
Is it just me or does anyone else wish there were anti air capabilities over Newry to dispose of that low flying plane. Jesus that was annoying. @BBCSPORTNI @UlsterGAA @GAAGO @TheSundayGame #Down #Donegal #GAA
— J B Mac (@jamiebmcq) April 23, 2023
That annoying plane flying over the pitch in Newry...does anyone know anybody?
— The corpse of England's World Cup hopes (@JurassicArse) April 23, 2023
The stunt was organised by an individual in Down GAA with a gripe against the well-respected county board secretary McAteer. One person on Twitter claimed a £100 beer voucher was on offer for the first person to tweet a photo of the banner.
As far as we can recall, it's the first Irish sports & airplane controversy since Ireland football supporters threatened to fly a plane over the Aviva in 2015 calling for the removal of John Delaney.
Down GAA respond
Last night, Down GAA released a strongly-worded statement expressing 'regret' that a 'vindictive individual' had attempted to 'tarnish the occasion'.
“We hope that all spectators who attended today’s Ulster Senior Football Championship quarter-final in Newry enjoyed their afternoon,” the statement read.
“We congratulate our team and management, and we look forward to the semi-final next weekend and the U20 final on Wednesday.
“We regret that the vindictive actions of an individual, who arranged for a banner to be flown above the ground during the first half of the senior game, was an attempt to tarnish the occasion.
“It is clear to everyone that this was the action of someone who could not be regarded as a true supporter of Down and the GAA.
“We value the trojan work and dedication of our County Secretary Seán Óg McAteer and of all our officers and volunteers, and we would encourage the individual behind this stunt to put their time and resources to better use.”
Many GAA clubs and GAA personalities in Down tweeted their support of McAteer after the stunt.
I have been lucky enough and honoured to have worked with a true Gael in Sean Og Mc Ateer over many years, a man from a family steeped in our culture, heritage and games ...today's latest incident of harassment by a faceless coward who wouldn't lace his boots is sickening🔴⚫
— Ronan Sheehan (@newryhurler1) April 23, 2023
Someone wanted to get involved with the lads today. What it's all about! Great to see the county pull together. #smallsteps As for the plane, the instigator should hang their head in shame! #coward pic.twitter.com/z04wKT17Si
— Mark Poland (@polie11) April 23, 2023
Hopefully the overwhelming negative feedback towards the banner will be the end of similar stunts.
