ABC Council have put in place a series of support packages to help with community events being held on Sunday, as well as proposals by the Armagh County Board’s anticipated homecoming events.
Armagh are set to contest their first All-Ireland final in 21 years – just their fifth overall – when they take on Galway in Sunday’s decider at Croke Park.
While fan zones were muted it was agreed by a majority of councillors that the best way forward would be over support to clubs, communities and the GAA for their events.
In doing so, the council have also agreed a dedicated Financial Assistance Grant for clubs to celebrate the team’s achievements in 2024, extending into the weeks and months beyond the final.
Councillors Catherine Nelson (Sinn Féin) and Thomas O’Hanlon (SDLP) have welcomed Council’s decision to support a number of funding and support options for clubs and communities for the All-Ireland final.
In a joint statement, they said: “We acknowledge and indeed very much welcome the support from across the political spectrum for this request.
“Armagh reaching the All-Ireland final for the first time since 2003 is a huge achievement and the excitement can be felt throughout the county, it’s only right that the Council plays their part in the celebrations and homecoming events.
“The council have been actively engaged with the County Board around its planning for a homecoming event and we know all logistical, practical and professional support is very much appreciated by all concerned.
“For communities and clubs organising fan zones, or on the day events, support through the provision of toilets, barriers etc is all being made available, so just get in touch if your community or club need to avail of this.
“Finally, a Financial Assistance package has been agreed for sports clubs to host events to celebrate the team’s achievements and the details of this will be advertised in due course.
“This is a memorable occasion for the entire county. We wish Geezer, Aidan Forker and all the team the very best and look forward to welcoming them and Sam Maguire home to Armagh next week.”
The DUP grouping issued a statement following the meeting.
It read: “Whilst we wish the Armagh team every success in the final and commend them on the achievement of reaching the final, the issue of creating an events funding call is something that takes a great deal of time and effort.
“Not only from a council officer perspective but also in terms of the time and effort from elected representatives in following procedures and ensuring that funding streams are adequate and meet the guidelines.
“This matter was deliberated on within a matter of hours ahead of the July monthly meeting and our grouping was disappointed with the lack of opportunity for proper scrutiny and also the fact that our proposals for providing an opportunity for wider sporting achievement support right across the ABC Borough was not given adequate consideration.
“Nationalist parties have made similar arguments about funding streams for other events and achievements when there has been a lot more time for drawing up proposals however they have disregarded our party concerns in this very rushed process.
“Those representatives suggesting in the media that the matter was given unanimous support are being deliberately misleading as our party grouping voted against the proposal as we felt strongly that much more work was required and that the conditions applying to this fund were too narrow.
“That remains our view and whilst on the evening the matter was carried with the support of nationalist representatives and other unionist groupings, our party group concerns remain.”
